Originally penned by Tina Fey and inspired by Rosalind Wiseman's 2002 book entitled Queen Bees and Wannabes, the 2004 teen comedy "Mean Girls" has been harnessing an ardent following in the two decades since its debut. Although the film’s snappy catchphrases and impressive star cast, featuring talents like Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert, and Amanda Seyfried, gained broad acclaim, its humor underpinned by racist stereotypes and problematic tropes is considered less than palatable in contemporary times. However, the recent adaptation by directors Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr., drawing on the 2018 Broadway musical based on the original movie, breathes fresh life into the story, with a noticeable “Zoomer” infusion.
In this updated iteration, Cady Heron (played by Angourie Rice), a previously homeschooled junior, attempts to decode the labyrinth of high school cliques. Raised by her research scientist mother (played by Jenna Fischer) in Kenya, Cady’s chronicled experiences in American high school are much more nuanced, avoiding mere vague references to “Africa” or disrespectful humor based on her upbringing, both of which were featured in the first version.
Cady's adaptation to school is eased when she strikes up a friendship with Janis 'Imi'ike (personified remarkably by Auliʻi Cravalho) and Damian Hubbard (portrayed humorously by Jaquel Spivey). While they help navigate her through the rocky shores of high school, their immersion into teen life steers clear of the previous racial stereotypes.
Queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp) then embodies the apex of high school life, her commanding aura intoxicating even Cady. Joined by Gretchen Wieners (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika), Regina leads the infamous Plastics, a clique that typifies popularity. Regina’s magnetic performance, Gretchen’s heart-wrenching ballad about self-worth, and Karen’s exaggerated dimwitted depiction add to the mood of the plot.
The story develops when Regina extends an invitation to Cady to join the Plastics, setting in motion a fierce rivalry rooted in a fallen friendship between Regina and Janis. The layered revelation of this backstory makes Janis's retaliatory scheme against Regina more justified in this version.
Further complicating matters is Cady’s crush on her calculus classmate Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney), who is also Regina's ex-love interest. Janis persuades Cady to go undercover into the world of the Plastics – a mission of personal gain and retribution that spirals out of control when Cady loses herself in the glittering world of popularity.
The story’s progression blends the traditional narrative with elements of music and social media. Cady and Regina's popularity oscillates with the whims of social media trends, while the soundtrack adds another dimension to the characters’ emotions.
Even though Angourie Rice’s rendition of Cady leaves some room for improvement, her less convincing performance is offset by the revelation of Reneé Rapp’s and Auliʻi Cravalho’s stardom through compelling expressions and performances.
Ultimately, this new version can be perceived as a stern warning against unwarranted cruelty and a cheering endorsement for those who dare to be who they are. In this round, it feels as if Fey and her team have managed to make "fetch" happen after all.
