It’s been 20 years since the original Mean Girls movie was released. The iconic teen comedy starring Lindsey Lohan was a huge jumping point for major actors today like Rachel McAdams (Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.), Amanda Seyfried (The Dropout), and Lizzy Caplan (Fatal Attraction) to name a few.

The film went on to become a Broadway musical in 2018 and only closed its doors because of the pandemic. So, the film adaptation of the hit Broadway Show wasn’t a far-fetched idea

Mean Girls revolves around Cady Heron, a teenager who moves from Africa to the United States and starts attending a public high school. As she navigates the complexities of high school life, Cady becomes entangled with a popular clique known as “The Plastics.” She befriends Janis and Damian, who help her infiltrate the group to gather information. However, as Cady gets closer to The Plastics, she begins to adopt their mean-spirited behavior and loses sight of her true friends. The story explores themes of friendship, identity, and the consequences of succumbing to peer pressure.

LETS TALK ABOUT MEAN GIRLS THE MUSICAL!

I LOVE musicals! So, of course, when Mean Girls came to the Pantages I bought tickets immediately. However, I’m going to be honest…I hated it. I could have left after Act 1, but I spent too much money and I was in for the horrible ride. When the trailer for the film came out I saw what an incredible cast would be performing. I hoped that the film would make me love the musical. Long story short, it didn’t. That said, there is a lot to love about this film.

They chose actors who can sing. Regina George and Janice Ian have the biggest numbers in the show. So casting incredible singers was a must. Reneé Rapp (Sex Lives of College Girls) returns to the role she played on Broadway for the film and I’m so glad she did. She kills every number and somehow makes Regina empathetic. Her version of the character is very different from the original, which sometimes can be jarring. However, I found her take to be fresh and the perfect modern mean girl.

Auliʻi Cravalho (Moana) absolutely slays at Janice Ian when given the opportunity. Her chemistry with Tony Award Nominee Jaquel Spivey (Damion) is unmatched. They are perfect together. 

UPDATED FOR A MODERN AUDIENCE

Comedy 20 years ago is very different from comedy today. That said, with Tina Fey at the helm, I was not worried about any changes coming my way. The storyline has some updates that I think need to happen. For example, the foreign exchange student and coach storyline is gone. Thank you! The student-teacher trope is my least favorite thing on the planet. The changes to some of the jokes are more high brow and I think they work incredibly well; even if I miss one or two of them. 

The use of technology is also prevalent in the modern Mean Girls. Social Media is used as a bullying platform, and it also helps to spread the Burn Book like wildfire. Every update made is thoughtful and deserving. You don’t have to worry. The heart and moral of the story all stay the same.

SO WHY DIDN’T I LOVE IT?

While I found the direction, choreography, and even the transitions to be smart and fun I just can’t get past how bad the music is. No matter how good of singers they have tackling the music I think the songs are bad. I don’t find them catchy or interesting to listen to. 

Which shocking because Tina Fey’s Husband, Jeff Richmond wrote the music. Nell Benjamin, who wrote the lyrics to the Legally Blonde Musical (which is one of my favorites to date) wrote the lyrics for Mean Girls! Maybe it’s because her husband (who wrote the music to Bat Boy, another incredible musical) wasn’t her partner with this one. I don’t know, but I find the music to be really bad. 

I also do not understand the costume choices. What time are we in? What state are we in? Why does Regina George look like she shops at Walmart? The best outfit she wore was the first one in leather, but it just went down from there. 

Overall, if you enjoy the original Mean Girls movie you’ll have a good time at the film. If you love the musical, you’ll probably be upset about songs being cut, but you’ll have a great time. Either way, go to the theater losers. We’re watching Mean Girls!

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