Mean Girls the Musical came out in theaters on Friday January 12, 2024 and was immediately met with a wave of feedback, both negative and positive. As opposed to a sequel, this film was meant to be a remake of the iconic 2004 Mean Girls but with the musicality of the Broadway show.
The main goal of the film was to make the feeling of the Broadway rendition more accessible. Many Broadway shows shut down in 2020 due to Covid-19, leading to an early departure of Mean Girls from Broadway and disappointed fans. This new film aimed to bridge that gap, providing an opportunity for audiences to experience the show from the comfort of their homes.
The cast was studded with many familiar faces, most notably Tina Fey who wrote the original movie. That being said, this reboot of a cult classic did not live up to the legacy. It is as if Fey had no part in preserving the essence of the 2004 film.
To start, the costume design of the original posed the main girl group, the “Plastics,” as untouchable, wearing the newest trends and even starting new ones. Now, the “Plastics” seem like just that, plastic-y and cheap. Dressed in what looks like fast-fashion trends they no longer exude the commanding presence they once did. Embracing Y2K fashion could have offered an opportunity to incorporate authentic vintage pieces or craft costumes that pay homage to the original setting of the early 2000s.
Additionally, iconic scenes were cut from this rendition. We do not get to see the buildup of Regina’s wrath that leads to her writing in the Burn Book. The infamous bus scene was tragically forgotten. All to be replaced by cringe-worthy, malevolent edits and clips that deviate significantly from the type of content typically found on social media. Once again, we witness the portrayal of social media through the perspective of adults who seem unfamiliar with platforms beyond Facebook.
One would think that those cast to play iconic signing roles should be able to sing. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Iconic songs like “Stupid with Love” or “I See Stars” are virtually unrecognizable from their Broadway inspiration. Not only did they change the tune, she was out of key and put no heart into the lyrics. Erika Henningsen, the Broadway Cady Heron, put her soul into each of her songs and it is almost insulting how little effort Angourie Rice seemed to have put in.
Another critique is the blatant product placement throughout the film. It is clear that the cosmetic company, Elf, heavily sponsored them with a lip gloss or mascara being shown in almost every scene. This takes viewers out of the world of Mean Girls and into a two-hour Elf ad.
The only saving grace was Reneé Rap. Renowned for her exceptional singing and songwriting talents, she possesses remarkable vocals and embodies the ideal personality to portray Regina George. It appears producers may have focused on casting her without considering the singing abilities of the rest of the cast. Movies don’t work with just one all-star player while the others remain benchwarmers; musicals are a team sport.
I believe this presented an excellent opportunity to give the movie a contemporary twist and showcase the music in a new way that related to a new generation. Alas, the opportunity was missed.
