What’s It About
New student Cady Heron gets welcomed into the top of the social food chain by an elite group of popular girls called the Plastics, ruled by the conniving queen bee Regina George. However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend, she soon finds herself caught in their crosshairs.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
Mean Girls attempts to bring the high school drama into the theatrical musical realm, but the result falls flat. The film, inspired by the box-office success of Barbie, lacks the cinematic quality necessary for success. The plot’s central conflict revolves around Cady (Angourie Rice), a girl home-schooled in Africa who moves to a suburban Chicago public school, transforming her from a naive girl to the school’s “Queen Bitch.” Unfortunately, this evolution lacks the dynamic quality seen in the original film, and Angourie Rice’s performance falls short compared to her co-stars. While the film introduces exciting elements like rapping, Starbucks, and cafeteria mac and cheese, it struggles to weave them into a cohesive narrative. The plot feels rushed and disjointed, with an unfinished quality that hampers its overall impact. The film’s cast, despite their charm, can’t salvage the lackluster execution. The characters lack depth, and the attempts at humor often fall flat. Regina George (Reneé Rapp), the head of the popular Plastics clique, dominates the screen with her presence, but the film fails to capitalize on her character’s potential. This musical adaptation features songs that, while visually appealing, lack catchiness. Using social media and cell phones as shorthand for character development feels forced, and the songs struggle to convey emotions effectively. Despite attempts to modernize the story with social media references, the film feels like a missed opportunity. The cautionary tale against meanness lacks the impact needed to resonate with the audience. In the end, Mean Girls fails to capture the essence of the original and becomes a forgettable addition to the teen musical genre.
OUR RATING – AN INSECURE 4