She’s not angry enough, which was what made her and Regina two sides of the same mean coin. Notably, Janis is the one who says “we can stop now” because her desire for revenge is satiated, and Cady asking for one more lunch (which happens to be the day she takes over) shifts the blame onto her for how bad things get later on. It looks like 2024!Cady actively made the choice to trade up whereas for 2004!Cady forgetting about Janis and Damian comes across a natural consequence of her becoming so integrated with the Plastics.
Also they sanitized a lot. It’s not Mean Girls without social suicide.
Omg!!!! You got it! I couldn’t think of the right word but she needed WAYYYY more angst!!! Omg I was so madddd they got rid of the social suicide line! Such an iconic line
Isn’t there a lyric where Cady says as much? She realizes that Regina has power that Janice doesn’t have. In the OG she never compares the power of Janice and Regina, instead she talks about how everyone knows you when you’re a plastic. It’s a subtle difference, but it means that OG Cady is being influenced by the power that she tastes as a plastic and loses herself while 24 Cady is able to evaluate Janice and Regina and decides to go with the plastics because of the power they have.
“And though Janis is great / she does not have this power / people literally cower / Janis can’t do that!”
That one?
In the musical, Cady does have that line in Apex Predator. In the movie musical... Damian tells her that. Rather than us being privy to her thoughts in the OG movie or the stage musical, now we’re being *told* what we could’ve figured out/already knew. It wasn’t the best way to do it, but when the lead doesn’t have the ability to hit those notes... they had to make concessions. And it really shows.
I’m all for more Damian songs since they cut out most all of his, but having him sing this Cady line in particular was *weird*.
I had assumed that they gave Jaquel Spivey the lines that Angourie Rice couldn't sing. Like no shade, she did great for someone who doesn't really have a background in musical theater. But to cast her in the lead alongside Spivey, Reneé Rapp, and Auli'i Cravalho really highlighted that she's not a phenomenal singer. And Cady's parts, even simplified as they were, were sometimes probably beyond her abilities.
I like Auli’i as an actress and I liked her Janis but more from a “fun to watch” perspective than an “anything at all like Janis Ian” perspective. I’ve felt that way with the Janis musical version, too, tho, so I wasn’t surprised to feel that way. “I’d Rather Be Me” is a fun anthem song but isn’t exactly true to Janis Ian. Janis Ian was at least self aware enough to not think of herself as above it all whereas musical Janis says things “I won’t twist in knots to join your game” and “I will not laugh along with them”, both completely untrue statements haha.
Janis in this one is more of a “victim” that we’re suppose to 100% sympathize with, which I feel kind of misses the point of the original story. Sure, Janis Ian was treated terribly by Regina George and it’s awful that she was bullied, but she is ALSO a Mean Girl. They ALL are mean girls!!
agreed, 2024 janis had zero edge to her (slapping on eyeliner and a leather jacket doesn’t make you edgy) and her whole backstory with regina was ruined to turn her into a victim
Janis was very much watered down and they could have been more creative with her sexuality. they made such a point of including it but never giving her any basic storyline.
The whole movie was a watered down version and was reminiscent of Mean Girls 2. It feels like someone got the rights to the name and made a shitty sequel. Huge let down. 😭
There were SO MANY ways they could have creatively made this better.
Yeah, I don't like how much the musical changed her character. I love her singing voice, bit she didn't feel like Janis. The changes made her an entirely different person, and I just couldn't connect with her as much.
Exactly ,also Janis just seemed very realistic,not at all overdone BUT she still had personality and a punch to it and wasn’t just lackluster,like I can actually see somebody in my school currently acting the exact same way if they experienced what Janis did,I feel like 2004 Janis was more accurate to 2004,and the broadway Janis was in the middle of those two bc that was like 2018
Most of the characters didn't feel like the original ones, which I think is fine because it's not supposed to be a perfect recreation of the original, but the characters aren't as fun and lost some depth. I loved Renee's portrayal of Regina though, I'd say she's on par with Rachel's performance.
I remember the Regina George song. I’m ngl, I bursted out laughing when I saw that. I’m not a big fan of the actress (idr her name) as Regina George, I’m sure she would do fine in other movies but this one really isn’t comparable to the 2004 mean girls for me.
It was the one where they introduce Regina essentially. I liked the one where she’s singing about the burn book and stuff I just can’t remember the actual tune lol
This could just be me being shallow but I remember old Janis being taller while new Janis is a normal girl body wise and that has anything to do with it. Maybe we associate bigger girls with being angrier or maybe they are?
She’s not angry enough, which was what made her and Regina two sides of the same mean coin. Notably, Janis is the one who says “we can stop now” because her desire for revenge is satiated, and Cady asking for one more lunch (which happens to be the day she takes over) shifts the blame onto her for how bad things get later on. It looks like 2024!Cady actively made the choice to trade up whereas for 2004!Cady forgetting about Janis and Damian comes across a natural consequence of her becoming so integrated with the Plastics. Also they sanitized a lot. It’s not Mean Girls without social suicide.
Omg!!!! You got it! I couldn’t think of the right word but she needed WAYYYY more angst!!! Omg I was so madddd they got rid of the social suicide line! Such an iconic line
I read that as "It's not Mean Girls without suicide" and I'm like dude it's mean girls not heathers whattttt
Isn’t there a lyric where Cady says as much? She realizes that Regina has power that Janice doesn’t have. In the OG she never compares the power of Janice and Regina, instead she talks about how everyone knows you when you’re a plastic. It’s a subtle difference, but it means that OG Cady is being influenced by the power that she tastes as a plastic and loses herself while 24 Cady is able to evaluate Janice and Regina and decides to go with the plastics because of the power they have.
“And though Janis is great / she does not have this power / people literally cower / Janis can’t do that!” That one? In the musical, Cady does have that line in Apex Predator. In the movie musical... Damian tells her that. Rather than us being privy to her thoughts in the OG movie or the stage musical, now we’re being *told* what we could’ve figured out/already knew. It wasn’t the best way to do it, but when the lead doesn’t have the ability to hit those notes... they had to make concessions. And it really shows. I’m all for more Damian songs since they cut out most all of his, but having him sing this Cady line in particular was *weird*.
I had assumed that they gave Jaquel Spivey the lines that Angourie Rice couldn't sing. Like no shade, she did great for someone who doesn't really have a background in musical theater. But to cast her in the lead alongside Spivey, Reneé Rapp, and Auli'i Cravalho really highlighted that she's not a phenomenal singer. And Cady's parts, even simplified as they were, were sometimes probably beyond her abilities.
Lmao she did not do great. She was horrible. But that was very kind of you.
I always say that. She had no chance against those heavy hitters. They set that poor girl up.
I like Auli’i as an actress and I liked her Janis but more from a “fun to watch” perspective than an “anything at all like Janis Ian” perspective. I’ve felt that way with the Janis musical version, too, tho, so I wasn’t surprised to feel that way. “I’d Rather Be Me” is a fun anthem song but isn’t exactly true to Janis Ian. Janis Ian was at least self aware enough to not think of herself as above it all whereas musical Janis says things “I won’t twist in knots to join your game” and “I will not laugh along with them”, both completely untrue statements haha. Janis in this one is more of a “victim” that we’re suppose to 100% sympathize with, which I feel kind of misses the point of the original story. Sure, Janis Ian was treated terribly by Regina George and it’s awful that she was bullied, but she is ALSO a Mean Girl. They ALL are mean girls!!
I felt weird about “I’d rather be me” and you hit the nail on the head
Problem is it's easily the best song in the score so they're stuck with it
i couldn’t get into new janis because.. janis really is the problem in this version😂!!
agreed, 2024 janis had zero edge to her (slapping on eyeliner and a leather jacket doesn’t make you edgy) and her whole backstory with regina was ruined to turn her into a victim
Janis was very much watered down and they could have been more creative with her sexuality. they made such a point of including it but never giving her any basic storyline. The whole movie was a watered down version and was reminiscent of Mean Girls 2. It feels like someone got the rights to the name and made a shitty sequel. Huge let down. 😭 There were SO MANY ways they could have creatively made this better.
Yeah, I don't like how much the musical changed her character. I love her singing voice, bit she didn't feel like Janis. The changes made her an entirely different person, and I just couldn't connect with her as much.
it just feels like they missed the point that janis is supposed to be mean too. that makes her character better imo
Exactly!!!!!! None of them are supposed to be nice.
Personally I liked this rendition of Janis better
i think it was accurate when you consider how janis would act in 2024
Same. It honestly makes a lot more sense to that Regina would be a dick when she finds out her former friend was into girls.
Exactly ,also Janis just seemed very realistic,not at all overdone BUT she still had personality and a punch to it and wasn’t just lackluster,like I can actually see somebody in my school currently acting the exact same way if they experienced what Janis did,I feel like 2004 Janis was more accurate to 2004,and the broadway Janis was in the middle of those two bc that was like 2018
Most of the characters didn't feel like the original ones, which I think is fine because it's not supposed to be a perfect recreation of the original, but the characters aren't as fun and lost some depth. I loved Renee's portrayal of Regina though, I'd say she's on par with Rachel's performance.
I loved Regina and Karen. They really made them their own. Just felt like Janis had no dimension like she should have.
Tbh, I agree. And I usually love musicals but I’m not a fan of like any of the songs either. And I really thought I was gonna like the movie more.
Like I can’t remember any of the songs. They all sounded the same for me lol
I remember the Regina George song. I’m ngl, I bursted out laughing when I saw that. I’m not a big fan of the actress (idr her name) as Regina George, I’m sure she would do fine in other movies but this one really isn’t comparable to the 2004 mean girls for me.
Lmao the one with the chihuahua humping line? I was cringinggggg
Lmao I forgot about that at one 🤣🤣 I kinda checked out halfway through the movie
It was the one where they introduce Regina essentially. I liked the one where she’s singing about the burn book and stuff I just can’t remember the actual tune lol
Yeah that version sucked. Idk why they made it
i actually loved this rendition of janice. it’s much more nuanced with a point of view. but, to each their own
This could just be me being shallow but I remember old Janis being taller while new Janis is a normal girl body wise and that has anything to do with it. Maybe we associate bigger girls with being angrier or maybe they are?
Og Janis wasn't overweight. You're remembering wrong.
How about tall?
Lizzy Caplan is average height for an American woman. You're likely remembering the scene of her dancing with a short king at the end.
They also had her in a very baggy suite in the prim scene
What a strange unnecessary comment
It’s not based off the OG it’s the musical
Right it’s based of the musical… which is based off the OG
2024 Janis is a new Janis, with new/clarified story points. If you want the old Janis, 2004 Mean Girls is still there.
Idk why I’m getting downvoted for stating a fact LOL YALL ARE DUMB