Mean Girls remake makes its debut in 2024 and does justice to the original

BY: ASHTYN HANSARD / Multimedia Journalist

With the new year starting, new movies are beginning to make their appearance in theaters, including the “Mean Girls.” 

The movie hit the screens on Jan. 12, bringing attention to this new adaptation of the 2004 classic, and who doesn’t enjoy a fun remake?

The movie opens with a musical number performed by Janis ‘Imi’ike (Auli’i Cravalho) and Damian Hubbard (Jaquel Spivey), immediately stealing the show with their chemistry plus charisma. Their energy easily flows with Cady Heron (Angourie Rice), displaying their instant bond and friendship, while not hesitating to show tension when needed.

The energy shifts when Reneé Rapp makes her entrance as Regina George, queen of the plastics. Rapp easily entertains the viewers, pulling them in like a siren in the ocean. Her energy as Regina immediately displays her power in the plastics squad, which also includes Karen Shetty (Avantika) and Gretchen Wieners (Bebe Wood). The three actresses work well playing with their characters’ dynamics throughout the movie, shifting in their hierarchy when needed.

While every actor and actress was able to fully grasp their character and bring them to life on screen in a beautiful way, the music plays a great part to the success of the film. Although some of the songs are more impressive than others, every song has catchy moments that the audience is able to easily enjoy.

Auli’i Cravalho’s vocals never fail to disappoint as Janis. She sings with a carefree sense while still keeping her tone and words strong, much like her character. Janis’ main song, “I’d Rather Be Me,” truly exposes how her character is shaped and her beliefs. 

Although Cravalho gives an amazing performance, Reneé gives show stopping deliveries in her songs, especially in "World Burn.” Her vocals are spectacular, hitting notes in both the low and high ranges. Her voice holds just as much power as her character, only improving her performance.

While the movie has many fun moments and catchy tunes, the critics are not as convinced. With the announcement of the “Mean Girls,” many fans of the original were left wondering how it would compare. 

Would it be just as good, or would it be a disgrace to the 2004 version? While I can’t speak for every fan, I believe the movie in no way harms the legacy of the original version of “Mean Girls.”

The “Mean Girlsl” is not a direct copy of the original, with some jokes and scenes being replaced or deleted entirely to make it more relatable to teens and young adults in today’s time, although it still keeps true to the original storyline. 

Many iconic lines and moments still remain in the new adaptation, some with their own unique twist on it to give the scene a new feel. Characters we loved and missed in the 2004 version appear once again in the musical, including Tina Fey (Ms. Norbury) and Tim Meadows (Mr. Duvall). 

Although the 2004 version of “Mean Girls” is a classic chick-flick, the musical adaptation does a fairly good job keeping up with the same level of entertainment. 

It’s fun, catchy and just the type of movie to watch when you need a break. Catch the “Mean Girls” in theaters while you can.