Is the New Mean Girls Movie a Musical Worth Watching?

For the second time this decade, a beloved teen comedy gets a musical makeover on the big screen. In Mean Girls 2024, Tina Fey adapts her own Broadway musical based on the iconic 2004 film, with a fresh young cast stepping into the roles made famous by Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAdams. But does this new incarnation capture the sharp wit and enduring relevance of the original, or is it a pale imitation riding on nostalgia?

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Plot: A Familiar Tale with Musical Twists

Mean Girls 2024 follows the same basic plot as its predecessor. Cady Heron (Angourie Rice), a 16-year-old who grew up in Kenya, enters the jungle of an American high school and finds herself drawn into the orbit of a popular clique called “The Plastics,” led by the ruthless Regina George (Reneé Rapp). Cady’s new friends Janis (Auli’i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey) encourage her to infiltrate the group to take Regina down, but Cady risks losing herself in the process.

The film incorporates several musical numbers from the Broadway show, including:

• “It Roars” – Cady’s opening song about her life in Kenya

• “Apex Predator” – Regina’s introduction, establishing her queen bee status

• “Revenge Party” – A raucous celebration of Cady’s plot against Regina

• “I See Stars” – A romantic duet between Cady and her crush Aaron (Christopher Briney)

While the songs are catchy and the choreography energetic, they sometimes disrupt the flow of the story. The non-musical scenes feel rushed, as if eager to get to the next big musical setpiece.

Performances: Reneé Rapp Shines, Rest of Cast Struggles

The standout of Mean Girls 2024 is undoubtedly Reneé Rapp as Regina George. Reprising her role from the Broadway production, Rapp commands the screen with her powerful vocals and magnetic presence. She brings a new dimension to the character, humanizing Regina without losing her edge.

However, the rest of the cast struggles to make a strong impression. Angourie Rice is a talented actress, but she lacks the comedic timing and relatability that made Lindsay Lohan’s Cady so endearing. Auli’i Cravalho and Jaquel Spivey have great voices but limited material to work with as Janis and Damian. The adult roles, including Tina Fey as Ms Norbury, are reduced to extended cameos.

Contemporary Themes: Social Media, Mental Health, and More

One area where Mean Girls 2024 tries to distinguish itself is by updating the story for the social media age. The “Burn Book” is now a viral gossip blog, and Regina’s fall from grace plays out on Instagram Live. The film also touches on issues like anxiety, body image, and cancel culture.

While these attempts to modernize the tale are admirable, they often feel surface-level and tacked on rather than fully integrated into the narrative. The core of the story remains focused on the interpersonal dynamics between the characters, which haven’t changed much since 2004.

Reception: Mixed Reviews and Box Office

Critical reception to Mean Girls 2024 has been mixed. While praise has been unanimous for Reneé Rapp’s performance, reactions to the rest of the film have been more divided. Some reviewers enjoyed the musical numbers and appreciated the attempt to update the story for a new generation. Others found the songs forgettable and the modernization half-hearted.

At the box office, Mean Girls 2024 opened to decent but unspectacular numbers. It debuted at #2 behind the latest Marvel blockbuster, earning Rs. 8.5 crore in its first weekend. While not a flop, it’s unlikely to match the cultural impact or long-term success of the original film.

So, Is Mean Girls 2024 a Musical Worth Watching?

For die-hard fans of the original film or musical theatre enthusiasts curious to see how the stage production translates to the screen, Mean Girls 2024 is worth a watch. Reneé Rapp’s performance alone justifies the price of admission, and the musical numbers are entertaining if not particularly memorable.

However, for casual viewers or those hoping for a fresh take on the material, Mean Girls 2024 may disappoint. It relies heavily on nostalgia and fails to fully update the story for a new era. Watching it on a streaming service like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, perhaps with a high-speed broadband connection from Airtel Xstream Fiber, might be the ideal way to experience this film – from the comfort of your own home, with the ability to pause, rewind, and re-watch your favourite moments.

Ultimately, Mean Girls 2024 is a fun but flawed musical adaptation that doesn’t quite live up to its iconic source material. It’s not a “fetch” new classic, but it’s still an entertaining way to spend a couple of hours – especially if you’re a fan of the original or musical theatre in general.

FAQs

1. Is Mean Girls 2024 a direct sequel to the original 2004 film?

No, it’s a movie musical adaptation of the Broadway musical, which itself was based on the original film. The plot and characters are similar but not a direct continuation.

2. Does the film feature any of the original cast members?

The only original cast member to appear is Tina Fey, who reprises her role as Ms. Norbury in a small cameo. The rest of the cast is new, with many actors from the Broadway musical.

3. What well-known songs from the musical are featured in the film?

Popular songs from the stage show that made it to the film include “Apex Predator”, “Revenge Party”, “Fearless”, and “I See Stars”. The movie also includes a couple of new songs written for the screen.

4. Is Mean Girls 2024 appropriate for children?

Like the original, Mean Girls 2024 is rated PG-13 for sexual content, language, and some teen partying. It’s most appropriate for teenagers and adults.

5. Has Mean Girls 2024 been a box office success?

The film had a decent opening weekend but hasn’t matched the box office or cultural impact of the original. Reviews have been mixed, praising the performances but criticizing the execution.