the mean girls musical film doesn't work... | Movie Review
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- Опубліковано 1 лют 2024
- The Mean Girls musical has never been my favourite so I wasn't looking forward to this film version. Now that I've seen it, does it suffer the same problems I have with the stage show or does it shine through adaptation?
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I appreciate this very detailed and nuanced review by someone who is actually familiar with the stage show. A lot recent podcast and UA-cam reviews of this adaptation are by people who aren’t familiar with/ the stage show…so they’re holding it juxtaposed to the 2004 film which is unfair and not comparable. Also, I’d like to say I believe they took an axe to too many songs from the score. More Is Better, Stupid Reprise, Whose House, Fearless are so important narratively…we have no musical numbers that inform “plastic” Cady which is jarring and uneven.
10:36 - even in the original film, Regina never introduces herself. Janice starts off by saying "How do I begin to explain Regina George?" and then the rumours start flying around about how she does commercials in Japan, her hair insurance, her meeting John Stamos on a plane - and my favourite quote: "One time she punched me in the face... it was awesome." That was the one thing that could have worked in this film too, with the phones etc. It's sad to hear that bit isn't in the musical either. I do agree with what you said and honestly, I just went in to have a good time - having never listened to the stage show (or the cast recording), just saw the film - I knew it wouldn't compare, but I had a fun time and that's all that really mattered to me.
Ooh a nice long video! Enjoyed hearing your thoughts - I think overall I like Mean Girls more than you do but I wouldn't say I love it, and this movie definitely I think had quite a few weaknesses. I agree that a lot of what you said around it not committing to being a musical was its main problem, but I do think it would definitely have left an overall better impression if Cady in particular hadn't been so miscast, she needs to carry the film and I'm sure this was also a mix of script and direction but she really wasn't right for the role and it was hard to sympathise with her character. I also don't understand why they were so desperate to get Christopher Briney that they cut the small bits of singing Aaron has. I know you said he's not the deepest character but I do think the performance (especially paired with Cady) made him super bland, like Kyle Selig really sold that on Broadway as a genuinely charming and likeable role. I feel like maybe because of not getting their intros in Meet the Plastics but Gretchen and Karen didn't really pop to me either, the original characters in Mean Girls are just so iconic. Auli'i, Jaquel and Renee were great though. I saw the show on Broadway with most of the OBC and I think from the strength of the cast performances as a whole I definitely preferred the stage version.
It's definitely not my favourite song and cutting it was the right call, but I actually don't hate Whose House Is This? lol. I think it's fun and it conveys the chaos of the party getting out of control well and I like little "it was always my house!" bit haha. I don't know if people hate this song as much as I never see it talked about, but one I do have a huge soft spot for that I feel fits into similar territory is "Do This Thing". That one is one of my faves because it's on my running playlist but I just find that one a lot of fun :D I think the silly dorkiness of it is perfect for conveying Cady's embracing that side of herself!
Really curious to see if/what they change for the West End version compared to Broadway or the movie! Look forward to your thoughts on that when it comes :)
I generally did enjoy the movie. But I do agree on a lot of your point, it felt like it could be so much better (Hello! Much better) if they put in more effort. Someone Gets Hurt was my favorite part, very well done.
Putting a legally blonde reference in your comment immediately earns my respect
14:10 Maybe "The way the scene is blocked"?
Blocked is still a very stagey term to me. I think I was more going for shot composition and how things on screen are staged and choreographed. I guess blocked could work though.
I agree with 90% of what you said (although I think you liked more than I did), but i just can't get behind I'd Rather Be Me. The original kind of bores me, but the version in the film and the way it was shot just reminded me of a DCOM more than anything.
I think Mean Girls the musical, in general, might be enjoyed more when not being taken seriously. By that I mean, less seriously than even things that aren't consider very serious like Mamma Mia or Hairspray. It truly is a "Tina Fey product", more so than the 2004 movie I'd say, becausw her style has become more whacky over the years. Things like Girls5Eva, Good News, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - they all have "unserious" unrealistic parts to them, alongside content that actually does resonate. It feels like kind of a similar experience to me..? I expect a a Tina Fey character to sing "This whole school humps my leg like a Chiuaua", while if it came from other creatives I might be weirded out. Kind of like Starkid, maybe, but a little above it in "seriousness".
I loved it 😍
Renee Rapp is amazing as Regina George.
Sure there are songs from the musical that are good that aren’t included but I think I really enjoyed it.
Haven’t seen the original film yet
Aware of it
Excited to see the west end production.
Rent is awesome as a musical film, in my opinion, close to Chicago as well.
Jaquel is the queer icon Damien we needed
Living 😍
Janis - so relatable
I’d rather be me gives me life too