Could a film adaptation of a Broadway musical, which itself was inspired by a film comedy based on a parenting book, be successful? Certainly, especially given the efforts of writer-producer Tina Fey and producer Lorne Michaels, who have maintained the essence of their lucrative creation since its original release in 2004. It appears that narratives set in high school, with their comedic and sometimes horrifying predictability, along with reliably detestable characters, continue to resonate.
Reflecting the derivative nature of the source material, it’s fitting to start with New York Times film critic Elvis Mitchell’s characterization of the original film as “tart and often charming.” Fast forward to 2018, and the Broadway musical, as described by former theater critic Ben Brantley, is deemed “likable but seriously over-padded.” The latest rendition of “Mean Girls” falls somewhere in between – not particularly tart, undeniably over-padded, yet maintaining its charm and likability.
Once again, the story, penned by Fey, follows Cady, portrayed by the sweet Angourie Rice, a bright home-schooled teen newly arrived from Kenya, navigating the challenges of high school. Amid encounters with various cliques, including the queen bee Regina (Reneé Rapp), flanked by her followers Karen (Avantika) and Gretchen (Bebe Wood), Cady seeks self-actualization and group acceptance. The plot unfolds with the familiar elements of friendship, betrayal, romance, and eventual triumph.
In the transition from stage to screen, the filmmakers have trimmed many of the musical’s songs, leaving a few standout tunes like “Meet the Plastics” and “World Burn.” Regina’s character-defining performance in “Plastics” injects the film with energy, although lacking the nuance of Rachel McAdams’ portrayal in the 2004 film. Despite the occasional visual flourish, directors Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr., in their feature debut, adhere to the template set by the original film, maintaining a familiar aesthetic.
While the film incorporates modern touches, such as breaking the fourth wall and integrating smartphone images, these elements don’t create the immersive experience that effective use of technology can achieve. Despite some visual creativity, the movie largely sticks to the established formula, with Fey’s tweaks and additions not significantly altering the overall experience. The cast, featuring college-aged actors, adds familiar faces like Jenna Fischer, Jon Hamm, Busy Philipps, with Fey reprising her role as a wisecracking teacher and Tim Meadows returning as the alarmed principal.