Tina Fey ‘Mean Girls’ Message Crosses Generations

This year’s Mean Girls remake created the perfect storm for Mean Girls fans. Yes, it was the film adaptation of the Broadway musical, but it also falls in the year of the 20th anniversary of the original film. So Paramount put both films out on 4K UHD. Tina Fey and the new cast and creators explain how the heart of Mean Girls hasn’t changed in 20 years.

“Over the years, I’ve realized that these characters and this story have had a much longer shelf life than anyone could have anticipated,” Fey says in the bonus features. “To get to do something new with them, I think people will be surprised”

Co-director Samantha Jayne said it was Fey’s message of women supporting women that holds up. Fey adapted the book Queen Bees and Wannabees in the tale of Cady Heron infiltrating the Plastics and upending the high school social structure.

“It’s a really important message that Tina’s always had with this movie that these young women should lift each other up instead of tearing each other hotter down,” Jayne said. “We shouldn’t bully each other. We shouldn’t tear each other down. That message is great 20 years ago, it’s great 100 years ago. It’s great 100 years from now. It’s a message that’s always important to talk about.”

In 20 years, a whole new generation of young actors makes Mean Girls their own. As Plastic Gretchen, Bebe Woods reflected on the universal appeal of the 2004 film.

“It really does feel like everyone has their own relationship with that film,” Wood said.

As Plastic Karen, Avantika identified how Mean Girls crosses generational lines.

“It was a huge movie for millennials and my generation too,” Avantika said. “It’s iconic and such a timeless movie.”

Renee Rapp, who reprises her Broadway role of Plastics leader Regina George, felt Mean Girls has come full circle.

“It’s just become such a cultural staple, predicting trends and bringing back trends,” Rap said. “2000s right now is incredibly trendy.”

With Fey reprising her role as teacher Ms. Norbury and Tim Meadows as Principal Duvall, Fey said that also reflects how people think about their teachers after they leave high school

“Teachers are just there forever,” Fey said. “Even if you’ve moved on and gone to college or whatever you just think your teachers are right where you left them and sometimes they are.”

Producer Lorne Michaels also weighed in on watching new generations appreciate Mean Girls. He even hints that the 2024 musical is not the end.

“It just had a different meaning for each generation,” Michaels said. “I’ve done Mean Girls because of what’s it about and probably will just keep going.”

Both films look bright and colorful on 4K UHD. The 2004 movie was still shot on film so has that tactile quality. The pink glows, as does Lindsay Lohan’s red hair.

The new film has a more modern look, but explodes colorfully during the dance numbers.

As a musical, the sound is more noticeable in the remake too. Besides all the music, you’ll hear students milling about in the hall. Even the social media montage chatters in full surround.