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May 2004

By Tonisha Johnson

Mean Girls
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Director: Mark Waters
Producer: Lorne Michaels
Screenwriter: Tina Fey, based on the book Queen Bees and Wannabees by Rosalind Wiseman
Cinematographer: Daryn Okada
Cast: Lindsay Lohan, Tina Fey, Lizzy Caplan, Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert, Daniel Franzese, Tim Meadows, Jonathan Bennett, Amanda Seyfried
   

   

A private home- schooled student makes her first public appearance in High School and has to make it in "Girl World" in order to survive.

Girl likes boy, boy likes girl. Ex-girl hates new girl who likes boy. Ex-girl convinces ex-boy to dislike new girl. New girl uses jungle like "survival of the fittest" tactics to get revenge?

Just when you thought you've seen all the teen movies possibleò.this one surprises you.

Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) was home-schooled in the bushes of Africa for the most part of her life, until recently, when her and her family returned to the states to live a "normal" life. Cady has to attend High School with others for the very first time.

Not only were the fast-paced, fire starting, sexually active students hard to keep up with, but the teachers were just as insane with all their "school rules" to follow. And if the "breaking wind" boy didn't get you, the speeding school bus will.

Damien (Daniel Franzese) a gay student who does not care what other people think, made obvious from the on stage performance of singer Christina Aguilera's Beautiful, hangs with long time friend and mutual outcast Janis Ian (Lizzy Caplan) who is most likely to be nominated as QUEEN LesBEEian. Both befriend Cady and take her under their wing.

Of course, no teen movie would be complete without girls that are so fabulous even the gym teacher would date.

In comes Regina George (Rachel Adams), center left. Spotlight focus on her perfect blonde hair and thin shape, describing her wealthy lifestyle. The queen of "Girl World" followed by her "brainless" duo of sidekicks, Regina, who pretty much runs things and things run around her, is the "IT" girl. No one makes a move educational, fashion, or well, breathe, without her say so. Everyone follows her by example. And everyone wants to be her, literally.

Combined with anger, hatred, and not a lot of envy, the three plot to sabotage Regina George (Rachel Adams) and her clique of "most popular" girls in school after learning that Regina intentionally spoiled Cady's plans to snag ex-boyfriend Aaron (Jonathan Bennett). Although "tell all" Gretchen Weiners (Lacy Chabert) and "naÎve" Karen Smith (Amanda Seyfried) easily fall in, Regina George quickly discovers Cady's plans and resorts to her own wicked master plan.

And the voice of "divorced" reason, Ms. Norbury (Tina Fey) continues to guide gullible Cady despite false accusations made by her.

The film uses lots of "visual" effects to describe what's going on. It is extremely creative in the "animal" like scenes portraying and comparing the jungles of Africa to high school kids.

Screenplay writer, Tina Fey' first attempt is certainly an excellent one.

This undiscovered comedy is a definite early "summer" bird contender. It has all the makings of a box office hit. Lindsay Lohan does it again by bringing her comedic acting skills to the big screen.

A Wild Thornberry's knock-off; Mean Girls has extreme potential to make you laugh till you pee! Even in the most shocking scenes. But you'll have to see it to believe it!