I have to start by saying that the original Mean Girls is an absolute classic. It is the kind of movie that sounds like it is just for teenagers, but it is a movie that everyone can relate to. It is a movie that my wife and I have watched many times and we still use quotes from it on a basis that is far more regular than I would like to admit it.
How to Download Mean Girls
The film was released on January 12, 2024. You can expect to be able to download or stream it from a digital platform such as Paramount+ about two months after its release. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice.
The Film Review: A Musical Remake with Familiar Faces
I knew that that there was a stage show musical of Mean Girls and I thought that it sounded fun. However, when I heard that the musical was getting turned into a movie, I wondered what the point was! I am sure I am not the only person who loves the original Mean Girls that thought this!
That first movie was so well done, why try and replicate that? Well, despite my reservations, the fact that Tina Fey was once again writing the script made me think it could still be fun. Plus, Tina Fey and Tim Meadows would also be reprising their role from the original which I am actually still torn on if I like this. On one hand, it is fun, but why not just recast these parts as well?
Comparing Old and New: The Challenge of Remakes
Mean Girls 2024 is fun and fine. It has a couple of new parts, but for the most part, this is like 95 percent the same movie you have already seen. The new cast does a decent job, but they are all playing these characters in pretty much the same way so it is impossible not to compare them, and to be honest, despite them doing a good job. There is no way I would pick any of these over the originals.
I know that is so unfair as they were put in a kind of unwinnable situation. Yet, I do think the actors could have done more to put their own spin on these characters. All of the iconic moments from the original movie are here and they are done well, but I feel they were done much better the first time around. Again, what is here is not bad at all, but it is impossible not to compare this to the original and I will pick the original every time!
The Musical Element: A Fresh Take on Mean Girls
As far as the songs go, there are a few catchy ones here, but there are not as many musical breaks in the movie as I thought they would be. Of course, the musical performances are where the differences are with this and they were good. It kind of made me wish I saw this on stage as I am sure it would have been far easier to get lost in this on the stage as you would not have that direct comparison to the movie as you do with this.
Final Thoughts on Mean Girls 2024
I feel like this has come off as mainly negative, but Mean Girls 2024 or Mean Girls the Musical if you prefer is still a fun time. I am glad I went to see this in the theatre and everyone involved did a good job. However, this just cannot come close to matching the brilliance of what that original movie did! I am sure for someone who has never seen the original Mean Girls this is a 9/10 movie as it will all be fresh.
