negron_dvdreview

Nicole Negron December 7, 2007 Journalism Ms. Minick

//[|Mean Girls]//, which opened in theaters on April 30, 2004, was the spark of a new era of movies aimed at teenage girls. Directed by Mark Waters (//[|Freaky Friday]//) and written by SNL head writer Tina Fey, the cast consists of young starlets such as [|Lindsay Lohan] and [|Rachel McAdams]. It was rated an average of 6.9/10 by [|Rottentomatoes.com] movie review. Running 1 hour and 37 minutes long, this film is packed with sharp comebacks, sarcastic humor and relatable experiences sure to catch the interest of any teenager. After 15 years of being home-schooled in Africa, Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) enters her junior year at North Shore High School. Cady is instantly overwhelmed by her new surroundings, having no idea where her classes are and eating lunch alone in a bathroom stall. Luckily the Queen Bee of the school, Regina George (Rachel McAdams), quickly rescues Cady from potential social suicide. Regina, along with her two other “Plastics” Gretchen and Karen ([|Lacey Chabert] and [|Amanda Seyfried]), take Cady under their devilish wings and transform her into one of them. While Cady initially agrees to hang out with the girls because her first friend Janis ([|Lizzy Caplan]) wants to get dirt on them, her intentions quickly change as she begins to get wrapped up in their glamorous world. With phrases like, “don’t be fooled because she may seem like your typical selfish, back-stabbing slut faced ho-bag, but in reality, she’s so much more than that,” this movie is not only humorous but convincing. While other movies tend to lean towards socially acceptable dialogue and scenes, Mark Waters and Tina Fey were not too shy to display the true side of the teenage world. The plot of this movie can educate both ill-informed parents and those who are in denial. While there may be a few predictable scenes thrown in here and there, for the most part this film gets an A in the believable department. The actors in this film don’t hurt the overall performance, either. With young and upcoming actors like Lindsay Lohan portraying the teenage characters, //Mean Girls// is that much more believable. Heartthrob Jonathon Bennett plays both Lindsay and Rachel’s love interests and with his boyish good looks, it’s no wonder he landed that role. Amanda Seyfried plays an excellent Karen, pulling off the “dumb blonde” to a tee. Actress Amy Poehler, who plays Regina George’s mother, portrays the epitome of a mother trying to be her daughter’s best friend. Although most mothers may not go to the extent of offering her daughter and friends alcoholic beverages during mid-afternoon, the audience gets the point. Not only is this movie one of the biggest blockbuster hits of 2004, but its DVD includes even more entertaining features. Filled with hilarious bloopers and outtakes, the fun doesn’t have to end once the movie is over. With commentary not only from the film’s producer and director but Tina Fey as well, the special features are guaranteed to provide some extra laughs. Also included are deleted never-before scenes. Overall, //Mean Girls// is definitely an A-list movie. Whether you’re an overly dramatic teenage girl or worried parents trying to understand just where there children are getting their new attitudes from, this film is for you. From its young and fresh cast to its new-age soundtrack, this movie is sure to leave you craving for a sequel.


 * Rating: (4/4)**