So, a fan of film, film buff or lover of movies, whatever you want to call us, sometimes has to step out of their genre comfort zone and see something, that they don't usually watch. You need to do that sometimes, because if you end up enjoying the film, that must mean it was a pretty good one. So, every now and then, I'll check out a chick flick, especially one like this film. A film that is quickly becoming a modern classic. It has actually been awhile since this film came out. The leading cast, who play high school students, are all middle-aged now and it is interesting seeing these stars, just starting their rise to super-stardom. Also, the older cast members in the film, also have great careers going on today and it is cool seeing them, as they were, back in 2004. It also helps, that it is a comedy, which is a genre I like, written by a really great comedy writer, Tina Fey.
A good comedy movie usually works when the comedy rolls with the plot, thus making the comedy itself, the main goal of the plot. The jokes, funny moments and embarrassing pranks push the film forward and if they are funny, you want to see more. You also want to insert into the mood of the film a funny thread, in the sub-plot, that helps carry the audience through the film. In the case of this film, it is the silent presence of the high school hierarchy, that seems to always be present in high schools everywhere. This also includes all the tools and the tricks available to the students, in their attempts to be the most popular, the most beautiful or the most brilliant. It is something that happens everywhere, any generation, at any time. When we look back at our high school years, you remember, how silly, ridiculous, juvenile and sometimes vindictive it was and you laugh at the whole idea.
This film explores all of this and tells a very humorous version of the trials and tribulations of the high school student. In an interesting twist, high school newbie to the school, Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan), recently moved from Africa to the US and has been home-schooled for 12 years now. So, this already sets up the idea, that she might be a person, who is out of place here. Her looks get her into the popular girls lunch table for a week and she manages to win them over, which sets up a school year of bad choices, mostly brought on by the inexperience being around other people. The film goes into the high school experience and makes sure to add, that humorous kick to it. In the case of this film, the main thread surrounds a spying plot, by Cady and her original friends, Janis (Lizzy Caplan) and Damian (Daniel Franzese), which involves Cady spying on the popular girls table and talking and making fun of them behind their backs. On top of this, the popular girls have their own burning book, with everyone in the high school in it. Mix in relationship issues, trying to keep the grades up and learning to deal with coming adulthood, is included in the story.
The cast list in this film is really big, so I won't get into it here, but there are a lot of popular names in it. I will say, the film has a nice share of SNL alumni throughout the film. That is another reason to see this film. Tina Fey plays Ms. Norbury, the math teacher, who pops in every now and then, eventually having a huge moment later in the film, that turns the plot towards its satisfying conclusion. It also comes with a pretty good soundtrack. The idea of Cady coming from Africa, is dropped into the story every now and then, either with silly comments or dream-like sequences. These humorous visions Cady sees, depict the other students acting like jungle creatures. In a key moment in the film, without giving anything away, a fight breaks out, mostly among the girls. The filmmakers throw on heavy drums and jungle beating music, harkening back to Cady's old home, but to Cady's shock it is actually real. It is not a dream. This film is a commentary on full circles. It foreshadows many things ahead, many things revisited and entertains to the end. It is a great comedic look at high school life, with an SNL, 30-Rock (2006-2013), humorous style to it.
7.9 (B- MyGrade) = 8 IMDB.
