Same Mean Girls Story, Different Perspective

January 23, 2024

Mean Girls movie cover

Everyone knows and loves the original “Mean Girls” movie that came out in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams and Tiny Fey. With all the drama and iconic lines people only wanted to see and hear more. In 2024, Tina Fey directed and released another “Mean Girls” movie which is a comedy and musical. Thus far, everyone seems to rave about it.

Many people are wondering which one is going to be better: the 2004 or the 2024 Mean Girls. According to Rotten Tomatoes, “Mean Girls” has a rank of 70% with over 100 reviews supporting it. Rotten Tomatoes said, “Preserving the essence of the original while adding a few new wrinkles — not to mention musical numbers — Mean Girls is a sweet (if slight) update with an outstanding cast.” The movie brings viewers back to high school. The movie takes place in 2004 at North Shore High, but only now it gives viewers a more modern day-to-day look into the school and what the plastics are up to.

The 2024 version of “Mean Girls” is rated PG-13 and the movie has the same storyline as it did in 2004. Now the only difference is that it’s a musical. The new movie stars Renee Rapp, Angourie Rice and Avantika Vandanapu. The storyline is about how Regina George is the main plastic and Cady Heron is trying to ruin Regina’s life but loses herself in the plot of sabotage and starts to act worse than Regina. While watching this film, viewers get a better understanding of all the emotions and thoughts people are truly trying to express through the songs. The movie goes more in-depth about how everyone feels through music.

Sophomore Layla Motl went to the new “Mean Girls” movie. Motl said,”I personally didn’t like it and I thought it was misleading because I had no clue it was a musical”. Many people where taken back from this as it is different from the original.

Both “Mean Girls” movies give the same life lesson: no matter what someone wears or how they look, it matters how they treat others and make others feel. This movie is one to go see in order to relive the 2004 “Mean Girls”, and to hear the great lesson at the end of the movie. Viewers will hear all the iconic lines that everyone loves to this day. Potential viewers can buy tickets here.

About the Contributors

Molly Achterkirch, Writer

Molly Achterkirch is a senior at OHS and this year will be her third year on Magnet. In school Achterkirch is involved in soccer, hockey, Younglife and Thriving Minds. Outside of school she works as a nanny in the summer and she also loves to go online shopping, hangout with friends, family and going for runs or walking her dog. Achterkirch also loves to spend time reading and getting coffee with her friends. Achterkirch joined Magnet to improve her writing skills and to go to school activities and take photos and be more involved in showing what OHS is all about.

Ella Williams, Writer

Ella Williams is a senior at Owatonna High School, and this is her second year in Magnet. Williams has been a dancer at Just For Kix for 15 years and is involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters and YoungLife. She enjoys spending time with friends and family and being outdoors. Over the summer she went to Clearwater Cove with YoungLife and worked at the Blast, a local ice cream shop. Williams plans to go to medical school after high school, and wants to go into pediatrics. She is looking forward to learning more about the activities that go on at the school while also navigating the new OHS building.