Mean Girls (2024) Review: Tina Fey makes fetch happen once again

The musical adaptation of Mean Girls results in a mostly successful celebration of the 2004 coming-of-age comedy.

Technology and social media have changed society over the last 20 years. However, the themes of female bullying and finding your place remain intact. The story of the 2024 version of Mean Girls is largely unchanged.

Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is a new student at North Shore High School. After being home-schooled, Cady is trying to find a group to fit in with. First, Cady connects with Janis (Auliʻi Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey). Then, she draws the eye of resident mean girl Regina George (Reneé Rapp) and her friends Karen and Gretchen. Janis, Damian and Cady come up with a scheme for Cady to stealthily destroy The Plastics. However, the attraction to power becomes too much for Cady and she becomes a mean girl herself.

The adherence to the original film’s story means the 2024 film has the same strengths and weaknesses. Tina Fey’s script is full of great comedic beats. Fey’s script also shines in showcasing the different segments of the student population.

The biggest difference between the 2004 and 2024 film are the musical numbers. Rapp and Cravalho are the standout performances in Mean Girl. They blow the doors off North Shore in the musical numbers and improve upon the performances by Rachel McAdams and Lizzy Caplan in the 2004 film.

However, the weak aspects of the story are just as prevalent. Cady’s progression from innocent to full-blown plastic isn’t natural. Rice is quite charming at showing the meeker side of Cady. However, when she takes over The Plastics, she simply doesn’t have that special mean-girl quality. Cady also doesn’t face much in the way of consequences for her actions.

The compelling cast also includes several adults. Fey and Tim Meadow reprise their roles as Ms. Norbury and Principal Duvall. Of the new cast members, Busy Philipps and Ashley Park (Joy Ride) fair the best as Regina’s mom and a teacher at the school. Jon Hamm and Jenna Fischer are largely wasted as Coach Carr and Ms. Heron, Cady’s mom.

Overall, Mean Girls is a fun return to North Side that shines brightest whenever Rapp and Cravalho are on screen.

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With the overview of Mean Girls completed, let’s take a closer look at the elements that stood out in this musical adaptation. The 2004 Mean Girls is available to stream on Paramount Plus.

The High Notes of North Shore High

The musical numbers in Mean Girls are full of terrific choreography and powerful vocal performances. Rice, Rapp and Cravalho each have different voices and the songs written by Jeff Richmond and Nell Benjamin shine in showcasing their vocal abilities.

Rapp reprises her role as Regina from the Broadway show. From her entrance to “World Burn” later in the film, Rapp is magnetic. Cravalho, whose incredible voice was on display as Moana, steals the film away from Cady as Janis. Janis’s “I’d Rather Be Me” is a powerful rebuke against conformity.

If you’ve seen 2004’s Mean Girls, then the musical numbers are the No. 1 reason to check out the 2024 version. Each musical number features creative elements that reflect the film’s major themes.

Destroying the Mean Girls

When Cady arrives at North Shore High, she struggles to fit in at first. Damian and Janis recognize a fellow outcast in Cady. They provide Cady with the lay of the land of the school.

Everything changes when Regina epically enters the lunch room. Regina’s curious about the new girl and offers Cady a one-week opportunity to hang out with them. There’s the intelligent, chatterbox Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and idiotic but harmless Karen (Avantika).

Seeing Cady with The Plastics gives Janis an idea. Cady can report back on a trio of mean girls. Cady’s in wait-and-see mode until Regina convinces her ex Aaron to rekindle their relationship. Regina offered to put in a good word for Cady. After Regina’s betrayal, Cady, Janis and Damian set out to ruin Regina’s life.

The plot to destroy Regina is the strongest story element in 2004’s Mean Girls and remains just as amusing in the 2024 version.

Cady’s rise and fall

Cady’s fall from grace isn’t nearly as entertaining as her rise. Her and Janis’s plan to sabotage the Plastics begins to come to a head during the talent show. Damian steals that show by doing the iCarly theme song in a different language. After the show, Gretchen stands up to Regina and forbids her from sitting with them. Then, Cady is appointed the new head of The Plastics.

Meanwhile, in her quest to spend time with Aaron, Cady lies to Janis about being unable to attend her show. When Cady hosts a party to get close to Aaron, her friendship with Janis is severed. Regina finds out about Cady’s ploy to increase her weight. Regina responds by dropping the burn book in the high school where all types of baggage are unleashed by students.

With Cady’s friendship with Janis severed and the Plastics in ruins, Cady is forced to confront the type of person she’s become.

The biggest issue with Cady supplanting Regina is Rice never gives Cady much of an edge. Also, the consequences don’t appear to affect Cady at all.

Mean Girls Final Thoughts

Mean Girls is a good comedy for those looking for some comfort food and new musical numbers. The performances by Rapp, Cravalho and for the most part Rice, help this adaptation land on decent footing in a crowded musical spotlight.

Mean Girls does fall short of the whimsical Wonka and the emotional The Color Purple.

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