Rosie Peterson ‘25, Opinion Editor
Mean Girls is a title that, even 20 years after release, remains a must-watch film for many. This cult classic is riddled with iconic lines, scenes, and characters, and its legacy lives on into the present day. Mean Girls has inspired sequels, board games, and no shortage of other merchandise. One of the more notable outcomes, however, is the Mean Girls (Musical) adaptation. With music by Jeff Richmond and lyrics by Neil Benjamin, the everlasting story has become widely known in the Broadway world, and the show recently hit the big screen on Jan. 12. However, this has led to a great amount of confusion regarding the intention and story behind the show. So, what is Mean Girls (2024) really? Many are under the false impression that it is a sequel, while others believe it is a direct adaptation of the original film, but in reality, neither of these is entirely accurate.
Regarding the first incorrect assumption: the movie is not a sequel to the original Mean Girls. In fact, a sequel to the film already exists, and although it is fairly unpopular, it should not be ignored when talking about the new movie, as it would likely halt certain confusions surrounding the new film. Many, however, were still under the belief that Mean Girls (2024) will be a sequel. Freshman Anya Woloch, regarding what she initially believed the film would be, said, “I did not think that the movie would be a musical. I assumed it would just be a more modern adaptation or a remake of the sequel.”
It is also important to address that the new film is not a direct copy of the Broadway musical, and instead an altered version of it. Several songs have been cut for the film’s length, with only 12 out of the original 21 being included. This adaptation falls somewhere between the 2004 Mean Girls as well as the Broadway version, and it takes certain important aspects from each adaptation. For one, the film is set in modern times, as is the Broadway musical. However, with the removal of certain songs, plot points that may have been slightly altered in the Broadway version, may lean more towards the original movie. Junior Kaitlynn Garron said, “I have high hopes for the film, and despite some negative reviews, I feel it will not disappoint.”
Despite all of the misconceptions surrounding it, Mean Girls (2024) is a hit in theaters, and it earned 24 million dollars in just its opening weekend. However, some expressed their dissatisfaction with the film, as they were frustrated upon realizing the movie was a musical. Can this truly be blamed on poor advertising as most claimed, though? There were several trailers in which characters sang, and there is a music note in the logo of the film. It is likely that there is an aspect of wilful ignorance from fans who were confused about the film. After all, why would you pay to see a movie without doing any research into what it is?
Once some research is done, however, the movie is actually quite enjoyable. From those who became fans when Mean Girls first came out in 2004, to those who simply love a good musical, this movie appeals to a large demographic. Anyone who is a fan would be missing out on a good experience by not watching this film—even if it may not be what they expected.
Lyon Life 