IIn her Mean Girls review, Lisa Johnson Mandell says the remake of the high school classic sings. But her The Book of Clarence review says the biblical dramady falters.

Mean Girls Review

Let’s settle one thing at the very beginning — if ‘rizz,’ a derivative of of ‘charisma,’ can be the 2023 word of the year, ‘fetch,’ (a derivative of ‘fetching’ perhaps?) can happen. And the latest iteration of Mean Girls can be a bright pink hit, at least on Wednesdays, even if it is a musical.

Okay, that first paragraph was full of Mean Girls insider speak, so for those of you who don’t remember the Lindsay Lohan Mean Girls movie mania of 20 years ago, in both Mean Girls, ‘fetch’ is a positive word that one character hopes will catch on, or ‘happen,’ and one of the main rules for the snobby clique is that “on Wednesdays we wear pink.”

Sure this time around it’s the same story about a group of  high school ‘it’ girls embracing a newbie, and how their catty mishaps change the school, and the students, forever. And yes, Tina Fey is involved once again, writing an updated script and playing an updated teacher.

The reboot, however, is a musical—a crazy, wacky, colorful production that doesn’t take itself too seriously, unlike the latest The Color Purple remake. These musical numbers, with their bouncy acrobatic choreography, feel almost like a Bollywood production. That stuff is timeless, and never fails to entertain.

It will be fascinating to see if game stars Angourie Rice as Cady, Reneé Rapp as Regina, Avantika as Karen, Auli’i Cravalho as Janis and Bebe Wood as Gretchen, will break out like the original stars did. To jog your memory, the original cast included Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Lizzy Caplan and Amanda Seyfried—all now enjoying heady careers—hard to believe these current stars are 20 years older, isn’t it?

Don’t expect Barbie, don’t expect awards nominations, just grab the girls, splurge on concessions and have a good time. Also feel free to use the word ‘fetch.’ It’s finally happening.

Rated PG-13

1 Hour 52 Minutes

The Book of Clarence Review

Kudos to director Jaymes Samuel (The Harder They Fall) for his creative ambition in making this Black mashup of The Greatest Story Ever Told and Monty Python’s The Life of Brian. I greatly admire his efforts and vision, but alas, they don’t quite hit the mark.

The consummately engaging LaKeith Stanfield (Get Out, Knives Out) plays Clarence, a clever and likable but confused guy who’s attempting to find his way and get the girl. His brother is apostle Thomas, and the power and glory of Jesus intrigue Clarence, so he decides to do his own riff on the Messiah. It’s an interesting concept.

If only the mix of comedy and drama were more effective. Instead they’re oil and vinegar. Samuel never quite attains a cohesive balance, and the tone is discordant and confusing. I’m not sure how people of faith are going to take seeing Clarence in the most hallowed stations of the cross, sometimes cracking wise, but mostly deadly serious about carrying his own cross, being crucified and resurrected.

I admit to being a lapsed person of faith, and even I was uncomfortable in some parts.

I understand what Samuel was going for, and I believe he made a noble attempt. Among his victories is the superb score. I’m glad that Hollywood, for all its flaws, supported his efforts. The film is not without his virtues.

Rated PG-13

2 Hours 16 Minutes

If this Mean Girls review or The Book of Clarence review encourages you to run on over to the Cineplex, get times and tickets at Fandango.com. They’re only available in theaters at the moment.

In her Mean Girls review, Lisa Johnson Mandell says the remake of the high school classic sings. But her The Book of Clarence review says the biblical dramady falters.