Paramount Pictures has given a new twist to the classic high school comedy in the form of “Mean Girls,” which coincides with the movie’s twentieth anniversary. This story was previously adapted into a same-titled stage musical. The latest version of the story has the original writer, Tina Fey, returning to write the script while Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. direct the movie.
New student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is welcomed into the top of the social food chain by the elite group of popular girls called “The Plastics,” ruled by the conniving queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp) and her minions Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika). However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney), she finds herself prey in Regina’s crosshairs. As Cady sets to take down the group’s apex predator with the help of her outcast friends Janis (Auli’i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey), she must learn how to stay true to herself while navigating the most cutthroat jungle of all: high school.
Before delving into my review, I want to remind viewers that Mean Girls 2024 is a musical featuring Jeff Richmond’s production talents and lyrics by Nell Benjamin. For the most part, 2024 follows the plot verbatim of the film with a few modern-day changes. Like OG’s Rachel McAdams’s star-making turn as Regina George, Reneé Rapp steals the movie. The rest of the cast delivers stellar performances, capturing the essence of the original film counterparts while infusing the characters with a fresh and dynamic energy. The choreography is sharp and engaging, bringing a sense of vibrancy and movement to the reimagining.
The music is an impressive compilation of resonant and memorable songs that include “Apex Predator,” “Where Do You Belong?” and “Meet the Plastics.” These songs add depth and emotion to the characters and relationships portrayed in the musical. One of the musical’s greatest strengths is its ability to balance humor and heart while addressing significant themes such as friendship, identity, and the challenges of adolescence with wit and sincerity. The creative team has demonstrated exceptional skills in updating the storyline for the stage while still preserving the spirit and humor that endeared the film to many.
Though some may contend that the musical adaptation of “Mean Girls” does not offer any groundbreaking insights compared to its cinematic predecessor, it is undeniably an exceptionally entertaining and enjoyable new take that is certain to captivate both fans of the original movie and those new to the story.
Final Grade: B
“Mean Girls” is available to stream now on Paramount +
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I want to revisit 2004 and highlight Romeo’s debut solo album, formerly of Immature. Titled “Food for Thought” and released on June 22nd, this project marked the singer’s change of name to Young Rome in an effort to distance himself from the youthful sound of his group, much like his bandmate Marques Houston had done a year earlier.
In the nineties, Hip-Hop reigned supreme, and every label CEO wanted a share of the lucrative R&B market. One strategy was to keep singers on their roster who could deliver catchy hooks, keeping everything in-house and saving money. Bad Boy had Carl Thomas, Death Row had Danny Boy, and Roc-A-Fella had Rell, our featured artist for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday
Growing up in the eighties, I was surrounded by incredibly talented male R&B singers who could deliver unforgettable love songs. Artists like Luther Vandross, Jeffrey Osborne, and Peabo Bryson dominated the airwaves, but Freddie Jackson was another voice that truly deserved recognition.