Today’s Prayer Focus
MOVIE REVIEW
Mean Girls
MPA Rating:
for sexual content, language and some teen partying.
for sexual content, language and some teen partying.
Reviewed by: Raymond L. Antio
CONTRIBUTOR
| Moral Rating: | Very Offensive |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Adults Mature-Teens |
| Genre: | Comedy Romance Adaptation |
| Length: | |
| Year of Release: | 2004 |
| USA Release: |
April 30, 2004 |
Relevant Issues
| Featuring |
Lindsay Lohan … Cady Heron Rachel McAdams … Regina George Tina Fey … Ms. Norbury Tim Meadows … Mr. Duvall Amy Poehler … Mrs. George Ana Gasteyer … Cady’s Mom Lacey Chabert … Gretchen Wieners Lizzy Caplan … Janis Ian Amanda Seyfried … Karen Smith Daniel Franzese … Damian Neil Flynn … Cady’s Dad Jonathan Bennett … Aaron Samuels See all » |
| Director |
Mark Waters (Mark S. Waters) |
| Producer |
Lorne Michaels Paramount Pictures M.G. Films Broadway Video |
| Distributor |
Here’s what the distributor says about their film: Directed by Mark Waters (“Freaky Friday”), from a screenplay by Tina Fey (“Saturday Night Live”), “Mean Girls” is a fictional comedy based on Rosalind Wiseman’s New York Times bestseller, Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends and Other Realities of Adolescence.
Review: Mean Girls: The Musical (2024)
Raised and home schooled in Africa, Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) has to try and fit in as a new face in the junior class at an Evanston, Illinois High School. In her mind, peer grouping pressures force her to choose between popularity and all the advantages that go with it, and obscurity and all the disadvantages that come that. Trying not to be cruel, Cady juggles the opposing forces until she has to make a choice between the two.
LANGUAGE: Several references to female anatomy, both slang and clinical. Girls are referred to as sl*t, bi**h, wh**e, and lesbians.
SEXUAL CONTENT: A teacher removes a coffee stained top and exposes herself, in bra only, to the class and the schools principal. Several instances of open mouth kissing by students. Two students make out semi-clothed. Two students make out clothed on a bed. A teacher is seen passionately kissing a student. A group of students are described as “sexually active.” Tight fit clothing with exposed mid-drift and cleavage.
VIOLENCE: Several scenes of people being hit by buses, both fantasizing by another character and in actuality for the story line. There is a large-scale fight with punching, kicking, and pushing. Several characters fall and run into objects. The main character fantasizes about attacking someone in animal-like fashion.
ALCOHOL/DRUGS: Teens seen drinking at parties. Mother offers to provide alcohol to teens. Group of students described as “burnouts.”
MORALITY/SPIRITUAL ISSUES: A character’s mother, who describes herself as a “cool Mom,” is proudly taking pictures of her daughter scantily dressed as a tramp for a costume party as the Father looks on in anguish. “Cool Mom” catches her daughter in bed with a boy and asks if they need a condom before adoringly closing the door to let them continue. A teacher is known to be having relations with two students. One character is declared as gay, and another is thought to be a lesbian by everyone. The main character imagines that someone that is homeschooled is perceived as a “religious freak,” cut to a scene of a group of malnourished children with few teeth. The eldest child states, in a southern drawl, that “on the sixth day God created guns to kill animals and homosexuals.” A character’s 7-8 year old sister is seen grind dancing to music videos and later pulling up her top, (back to camera, t-shirt on) imitating a spring break video commercial.
The film takes a straight-line secular trip through high school in America. Sadly some, or all, of the situations in this film occur in schools but, not surprisingly, a spiritual solution is not put forth to guide the characters to a resolution. Being raised in Africa, the main character mostly relies on her knowledge of the law of the jungle to guide her.
Learn about DISCERNMENT—wisdom in making personal entertainment decisions
Every time you buy a movie ticket or buy or rent a video you are in effect casting a vote telling Hollywood, “I’ll pay for that. That’s what I want.” Read our article
Positive
Positive—I think the best thing about this movie is that it does not play nice with gossip. It is revealed to be what it truly is: poison. In my youth group, in my work environment, in all aspects of my life, I have seen the dirty damage that gossip can do and was amazed to see how Tina Fey (who does possess quite the talent for satire) handled the issue. Gossip is not okay.
There are so many lessons that can be learned from this movie.
One, I’ve already mentioned, two, that if girls call each other derogatory names or talk evil about each other, it excuses guys to call girls by those names. Girls need to stick together, because if we claim to be supporting our sisters while at the same time stabbing them in the back, and good we do is undone. Third, we all eventually become who we pretend to be. And many more lessons. Of course, the cost of these wonderful messages to teenage girls, is packaged in a typical teen movie laden with sex, alcohol, swearing, and all the things that make a teen movie appealing to secular audiences.See all »
[Average/4]
There are so many lessons that can be learned from this movie.
One, I’ve already mentioned, two, that if girls call each other derogatory names or talk evil about each other, it excuses guys to call girls by those names. Girls need to stick together, because if we claim to be supporting our sisters while at the same time stabbing them in the back, and good we do is undone. Third, we all eventually become who we pretend to be. And many more lessons. Of course, the cost of these wonderful messages to teenage girls, is packaged in a typical teen movie laden with sex, alcohol, swearing, and all the things that make a teen movie appealing to secular audiences.See all »
[Average/4]
Tiffany, age 20
Positive—MEAN GIRLS was a pretty good movie. It was not only entertaining, but it also taught a lesson. This wasn’t just some teeny bopper movie, like CAN’T HARDLY WAIT or BRING IT ON, where the people call each other names and get away with it. I mean, I did not walk out of the movie completely spoken to, like coming out of an awesome chapel service, but I did walk out of it feeling a lot better than coming out of the other drivel I have seen. I really like Lindsay Lohan. She has made some really funny movies. So when I first saw the commercials for this movie, I wanted to see it. I also looked at the rating for this film. PG-13. I knew that some things might be objectionable in it. I am not going to hold Lindsay Lohan responsible and not see any more of her movies. I am not going to boycott Paramount because they distributed the film. One thing I might do is inform the people that I know that want to see it about the content.See all »
[Better than Average/4]
[Better than Average/4]
J. Melford, age 25
Positive—I took my 13 year old daughter to see it. She is one of the kids picked on at schools and this movie is very true to what kids face at school today. This movie was not that bad and I would recommend a mother to let their teen daughters to see it. I really did enjoy the movie.
[Good/5]
[Good/5]
Stephanie, age 34
Positive—This movie is much better than most make it out to be. I am a middle school teacher, and with a couple exceptions, there is nothing in this movie that does not happen at our schools every day. The namecalling, revealing clothes, and sex education scenes in the movie are no worse than anything your child has previously experienced. Although there are about 2-3 objectionable scenes that are inappropriate, the world in general is as bad as everything else in the film.
[Better than Average/3½]
[Better than Average/3½]
Shelby Price, age 30
Neutral
Neutral—I saw this film a few years after it came out, but it’s still very memorable to me today, because I love to help teens. The teen comedy is one of the most hit-and-miss genres on the planet, ranging from G-rated fun for all ages to R-rated filth that no one should watch. “Mean Girls” is a film that male and female viewers alike can enjoy and learn from, but I do have reservations about recommending it.
…a sex education teacher says…that as a teenager, you’ll often WANT to take off your clothes and touch each other, but then he goes on to warn them NOT to do it. …See all »
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
…a sex education teacher says…that as a teenager, you’ll often WANT to take off your clothes and touch each other, but then he goes on to warn them NOT to do it. …See all »
Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Gabriel Mohler, age 26 (USA)
Negative
Negative—This film is a disgrace. I took my 3 kids, ages 11, 9 and 5 thinking if Lindsay Lohan was in it, it would be a cute, preteen movie. Wrong! In one of the early scenes, a teacher takes her shirt off, revealing her bra to a classroom full of high school students and another teacher. One of the main characters is introduced as “more gay than he can stand” and I left the theatre as a teacher was giving an “abstinence lesson” and passing out condoms. There are numerous sexual comments and very scantily dressed teenagers. I went out to ask the manager if it would get any better as the movie progressed, but she said, “No, it actually gets worse.” Absolutely not appropriate for children.
It should have been AT LEAST rated R. I am just afraid that many parents will, as I did, see the name Lindsay Lohan, and assume that this movie is suitable for young girls. IT IS NOT!!! As far as I am concerned, it is not suitable for anyone.
[Extremely Offensive/1]
It should have been AT LEAST rated R. I am just afraid that many parents will, as I did, see the name Lindsay Lohan, and assume that this movie is suitable for young girls. IT IS NOT!!! As far as I am concerned, it is not suitable for anyone.
[Extremely Offensive/1]
Tracy Erickson, FL, age 39
Negative—I was very disappointed in this movie. I thought that since Lindsay Lohan was in this movie that it would be worth seeing. It wasn’t worth seeing and it wasn’t worth the money. My best friend took her son and he had to leave because it was so inappropriate.
[Extremely Offensive/1]
[Extremely Offensive/1]
Melissa, age 35
Negative—If you are looking for a typical Lindsay Lohan movie, this is not it! Please think long and hard before taking your pre-teen or teen to this movie. It is offensive from the very beginning. Lohan’s character explains that she was home-schooled, but she’s not a geek or a religious freak (It then shows 4 back-woods, gun toting, homophobe little boys who are home schooled for religious reasons). The language, sexual situations, and gay and lesbian themes were shown throughout the movie and were very offensive. “Mean Girls” is not a good one to take your kids to… try Ella Enchanted instead!
[Very Offensive/3]
[Very Offensive/3]
Michelle, age 39
Comments from young people
Neutral—I have seen many Lindsay Lohan movies, and I think that it is sad how she basically ruined her reputation with this one. A good thing for parents to learn is that you can’t assume a movie is okay just because of who is in it. Just looking at Linday Lohan’s dress at the premiere of the movie is enough to realize that Hollywood certainly has a strong grip on her. I must say I did enjoy the movie, but was somewhat offended by the constant use of degrading name-calling. As I was reading the other viewer comments, people were complaining about how they took their young children to it and had to leave, it was rated PG-13 for a reason, so they should probably do a little more research first. Overall, cute but not really worth the money.
[Average/4]
[Average/4]
Ashley, age 19
Positive—I think that this movie was great in showing what high schoolers go through. It was a real look into their lives, and it did it without remorse. Which of course is going to be offensive to Christians who cannot get over the fact that is life. Christian or not, people are going to act a certain way. I have many Christian friends who are not your average “I’m perfect because I’m a church-girl.” Me being one. Does it make me any less of a Christian than people who try to live a perfect existence. No. It frustrates me that people see this movie and review it saying that it was offensive and was too much. IT’S LIFE! Go to high school. See how teenagers act. Open your mind a little. It had a good moral, and it wouldn’t have gotten that moral across if it did not go into what it did. I agree, there were some objectionable things. But only for younger people who have not yet lived what the movie depicted.
I actually applaud Lindsay Lohan for branching out from her normal “Disney-aged” movies. She is an incredible actress, and she brought an element to the film that not many people can. And she was not ashamed of what closed-minded people would say, unlike her peers (i.e. Hilary Duff). Tina Fey did incredible with the script, bringing the comedy element to the film that was easy to latch onto and laugh at. I personally thought the movie was great. It showed real life and had a good moral at the end.
[Better than Average/4]
I actually applaud Lindsay Lohan for branching out from her normal “Disney-aged” movies. She is an incredible actress, and she brought an element to the film that not many people can. And she was not ashamed of what closed-minded people would say, unlike her peers (i.e. Hilary Duff). Tina Fey did incredible with the script, bringing the comedy element to the film that was easy to latch onto and laugh at. I personally thought the movie was great. It showed real life and had a good moral at the end.
[Better than Average/4]
Rachel, age 19
Neutral—I really did not like this movie (it made me sick), but it also had a strong message. The worst thing is that the kind of stuff that happens in this movie is happening in high schools everywhere (I should know; I’m in high school). The makers of this movie probably have some very effective strategies, like “if we jam all this vulgarity into people’s heads, maybe they’ll learn what it is like to be in high school in this generation.” The setbacks were obviously the language and continuous name-calling throughout the entire movie. Also, the sexual references didn’t stop. It’s important to be educated about high school today (although this was somewhat extreme), so if you must see this movie, once should be enough.
[Very Offensive/3]
[Very Offensive/3]
Kara, age 17
Positive—I thought that overall this was a good movie. Granted there was some language and sexual dialogue that they could have left out, but then I think that would have taken away from some of the realism of high school. Whether or not we want to face kids now a days are focused on sex, and not much else. To depict these kids in a way that strays from that (without going too far, of course) would be giving a false description. I think it was great how they showed the affects that gossiping and lying can have on people. I don’t think we realize just how much words do hurt. I think this is a good teen movie, especially for girls. Be warned there is some language and sexual dialogue, but nothing you wouldn’t expect from a PG-13 movie.
[Average/4]
[Average/4]
Sara, age 18
Neutral—My friend and I went to see this movie thinking it would be really good. The previews made it seem like a funny, but appropriate, movie showing the “craziness” of all the cliques in public highschools. It started out slow, then got worse. Their wasn’t much of a plot, and some scenes were entirely inappropriate. Overall, it was okay, but my friend and I both agreed that it wasn’t worth the money.
[Average/2½]
[Average/2½]
Melanie, age 11
Positive—Very smart, well made, and entertaining. Everything is slightly exaggerated, but paints an accurate picture about what teen girls have to go through. The message is good, treat others well, which is a lesson it takes a while for the main characters to learn, but in the end, even the “bad guys” realize the error of their ways and redeem themselves. All teenager girls or former teenage girls should see this as well as their parents. Nothing really offensive, Teens are shown drinking and teenage sex is implied, but none of this is shown in a good light, rather very much in the form of parody. All in all, great family fun with a good lesson.
[Better than Average/5]
[Better than Average/5]
Kat, age 18
Positive—This movie is great! It has a few inappropriate scenes, but none too offensive except for the party scenes. It you just fast forward through those I would highly recommend this movie! It taught valuable lessons to all ages! It shows how parents who discipline their children, pay off from it. It also shows how gossip can ruin everyone’s lives, and how if you make a mistake you must fix it. It has many valuable lines in it like “Calling someone fat dosen’t make you any skinner” and other good stuff like that. I highly recommend this movie!
[Average/5]
[Average/5]
Mike E., age 15
Negative—Before viewing this film, I looked at this site. I unfortunately disregarded the comments made by it, because at the time that I had viewed this review, there was only one comment from a mother and one from a fourteen year old girl. I thought the mother was just over-reacting; I was WRONG. Completely wrong. I am a 15 year old girl, and I was extremely offended by the vulgarity of this movie. I am truely appalled that Lindsay Lohan, who was doing extremely well as a PG actress, chose to be in this movie. It wasn’t even funny… the previews were the only good part. Being a Christian, I honestly feel upset with myself for not getting up and leaving and for disregarding te negative comments on this page.
[Very Offensive/1½]
[Very Offensive/1½]
Laura, age 15
Positive—I saw Mean Girls with a few of my friends, thinking it would be a movie that simply poked fun at stereotypes for laughs. We were so wrong! I think this movie did a decent job of portraying an actual high school, and despite its frequent vulgarities and inappropriate language. Some elements were a little exaggerated, but nothing much worse that what most kids are subjected to at their own high schools. I think that this film will be a real eye-opener to parents of teenagers!
I was also shocked to read that viewers took their 5-10 year olds to this film, despite the PG-13 rating. Just because Lindsey Lohan is in it does not automatically make it a wholesome, family-appropriate film. She’s 18, and I think its unfair to expect her to do children’s films forever!
[Average/4]
I was also shocked to read that viewers took their 5-10 year olds to this film, despite the PG-13 rating. Just because Lindsey Lohan is in it does not automatically make it a wholesome, family-appropriate film. She’s 18, and I think its unfair to expect her to do children’s films forever!
[Average/4]
Katie, age 14
Positive—It was great… I loved it!
[Better than Average/5]
[Better than Average/5]
Anna, age 14
Negative—When you hear the name Lindsay Lohan you think cute or funny. Now I don’t think this anymore. My mom took my sister (9 years old), her friend, my friend, and myself to this movie. We all thought it would be a good movie withe a moral in the end. Sure there was a moral but did they need to add the inappropriate scenes? Every time there was something said my sister would look at my mom. The movie wasn’t even that funny. I don’t see how it is so high in the box office. I’m upset that I saw this movie, but at the same time I glad that I saw it so I know what to expect from now on. I went into the theater thinking I would be seeing a good movie, I came out thinking the opposite. Overall, this movie is not for girls under 14.
[Very Offensive/2]
[Very Offensive/2]
Kelsey, age 12
Positive—Clearly, most who gave this movie a negative morality rating do not understand the meaning of the word “satire.” The purpose of the movie is to teach through comedy-a gift that Tina Fey (screenwriter) possesses in ten-folds. If anybody honestly thinks that a movie that hammers good Christian messages into your brain so hard you feel your head has been cleaved in two, is going to change the world for the better they are sorely wrong. The light-touch vignettes are what get the message across. Not the heavy-handed, vomit inducing messages that are oddly reminiscent of the after-school specials that dominated the 1970’s airwaves. If a movie wants people to change for the better, they need to entertain them and get them to relate to the characters before starting the lectures.
As a teenage girl, I have to say that this movie hit the mark so many times, I thought Tina Fey and Mark Waters had been spying on my school. Everything portrayed in the movie was spot-on, sharp, and sassy, with a message behind it all that doesn’t leave a bad aftertaste.See all »
[Average/4½]
As a teenage girl, I have to say that this movie hit the mark so many times, I thought Tina Fey and Mark Waters had been spying on my school. Everything portrayed in the movie was spot-on, sharp, and sassy, with a message behind it all that doesn’t leave a bad aftertaste.See all »
[Average/4½]
Lauren, age 15
Positive—I really liked this movie, but it’s not for little kids. I have a pre-teen little sister, and there’s no way I think she should see it. There is definite talk of sex, and in several scenes it is obvious that one of the “mean girls” mother’s has no objection to her daughter having sex in her own room. There’s a homosexual and you hear about drugs, and see people drinking alcohol. However, this is sadly a fairly accurate (though embellished) depiction of highschool life. It showed what gossip can lead to, and that’s a valuable lesson. Even the content in the movie that was slightly offensive, if taken with a comedic light, was just funny. I think it’s a great movie for highschool girls, but don’t take your younger siblings.
[Better than Average/4]
[Better than Average/4]
Heather Jo, age 14
Positive—To a lot of parents who are protective of what their children view this may seem as something inappropriate. However, this was nothing compared to what we see and hear on the bus and at school every day. This portrayed high school in a realistic way that we teen age girls can relate to. Though these girls are not Christian nor do they practice perfect morality, they are just teen age girls, like the ones we know at school. At the end Cady realizes even if she thinks how ugly someone is or notices how horrible they are dressed, it won’t make herself a better person than the other. I found that to be a great moral lesson.
I think this movie should be for teens who are in high school. I agree there is some objectionable content but overall most teen age girls can relate to this very easily, this is a realistic movie, whether it is moral or not is up to the viewer I suppose. I recommend this to teen girls in high school. Parents, I don’t think you will like it, you have to experience high school (how it is now) to appreciate this film.
[Better than Average/4]
I think this movie should be for teens who are in high school. I agree there is some objectionable content but overall most teen age girls can relate to this very easily, this is a realistic movie, whether it is moral or not is up to the viewer I suppose. I recommend this to teen girls in high school. Parents, I don’t think you will like it, you have to experience high school (how it is now) to appreciate this film.
[Better than Average/4]
Katie R., age 17
Negative—After seeing this movie, I practically felt sick and wished I had never seen it. I read a review on this movie in Plugged In magazine, and also read the viewer comments on this site before seeing it, but I went to see it anyway. My thinking was that it might have some objectionable content, but perhaps it wouldn’t be that bad or it would get better as the movie went on. I was so wrong!! The movie starts out offensive and just gets more offensive as it progresses.
While Lohan’s character, Cady, seems to have learned a lesson by the end of the movie, that hardly redeems this film. The b-word and many other foul words are used throughout the film, including two implications to the f-word (although the word is not actually said out loud). The girls wear revealing clothing throughout the film, and the scene where the girls are doing the audition for the talent show shows them in somewhat revealing costumes, which I found inappropriate. The leader of “the Plastics,” Regina, invites the other girls over to her house, where we learn that her mother is just like her and is a “cool” mom who has no rules.See all »
[Extremely Offensive/3]
While Lohan’s character, Cady, seems to have learned a lesson by the end of the movie, that hardly redeems this film. The b-word and many other foul words are used throughout the film, including two implications to the f-word (although the word is not actually said out loud). The girls wear revealing clothing throughout the film, and the scene where the girls are doing the audition for the talent show shows them in somewhat revealing costumes, which I found inappropriate. The leader of “the Plastics,” Regina, invites the other girls over to her house, where we learn that her mother is just like her and is a “cool” mom who has no rules.See all »
[Extremely Offensive/3]
Nicole, age 18
Negative—This movie will surely appeal to secularists and lax Christians… this film is pure liberal dribble. Its formulastic, Christophobic, and stereotypes Baptists as rednecks. If Tina Fey wanted a project, she should have made Weekend Update funny again—by quitting SNL!
[Extremely Offensive/1]
[Extremely Offensive/1]
Trevor, age 15
Positive—…I loved this movie! It was so funny and yet so true to our lives at school! …I’m 17 and I could totally relate to that kinda stuff, it was so true to life! That’s how high school is, people talking behind your back and stuff! Anyway, I loved the movie and I can’t wait for the DVD!!
[Better than Average/5]
[Better than Average/5]
Stefanie, age 17
Positive—I really enjoyed this movie, and while I agree that there was some objectionable content, it was an average PG-13. Those that took young children obviously didn’t look at the rating, as it is PG-13 for sexual content, language and teen partying. I learned a long time ago that you should never assume that a movie is okay just because of the star. Overall, I thought it was a fun movie that teenagers and up can enjoy.
[Average/4]
[Average/4]
Dustin Foree, age 16
Positive—I agree there are some things in this movie that may be offensive (such as language, etc.), but overall it has a good moral value. The reason everyone thinks it’s bad is because it’s not a kid’s movie. Check the rating PG-13. That does not mean bring your 5 year old to see a nice preteen movie with Lindsay Lohan in it because that’s not what it is and it’s not what it claims to be. This movie is good for highschoolers to see because it ends with a good moral.
[Better than Average/4]
[Better than Average/4]
Rem, age 16
Positive—I thought that this movie was, well, not really good or cute, but I enjoyed seeing it. There were some questionable things in the content, but I didn’t really think that it was any worse than one would see in a “regular” public high school. There was nothing that made me gasp in horror, only things that made me laugh. Note: I would really think about taking anyone younger than 7th grade to this movie. After all it is rated PG-13!
[Average/3½]
[Average/3½]
Taylor
Neutral—Some parts… were offensive. A girl’s mom was a “cool mom” and didn’t care if her daughter had sex or not. There were many make-out scenes, and many uses of bad language… whether you want to face it or not, that’s how High School is. And Junior High is pretty close, too. Whenever I go with my grandmother to the Junior High to pick up my cousin, I hear her and her friends swearing like there’s no tomorrow, worse than the language in this film. And even though Lindsay Lohan is in it, does not mean that it is completely all right for audiences below ten to see it. You might think it’s all cute and nice because of Tim Meadows or Lindsay Lohan, or Tina Fey, but it’s not. It’s about real High School behavior, and believe it or not, Parents, that’s how High Schoolers act at school.
However, I do like the morale in it, at the end, and the common fears and challenges that Cady goes through that every new student goes through (well, almost). I like it how Tina Fey teaches that gossip does not solve anything, and how Lindsay Lohan gives a small speech at the end about how everyone looks like royalty then (it was a spring fling dance) and makes everyone realize that the home coming queen crown is just that, a home coming queen crown, not real, not made of gold, but someone like styrofoam or plastic. She realizes that just because you’re prettier than someone else, does not make you better. That just because you dress better, you weren’t going to win. That ruining the girl that ruined YOUR life is not going to make you happy, no matter what you think. It shows that you mustn’t gossip or give boys the reason to call you wh*re or b*tch, and, well, you know the drill…
Cady finally realizes what is right, and what is wrong. I like that! But at any rate, I only recommend it to 10 and older.
[Average/3½]
However, I do like the morale in it, at the end, and the common fears and challenges that Cady goes through that every new student goes through (well, almost). I like it how Tina Fey teaches that gossip does not solve anything, and how Lindsay Lohan gives a small speech at the end about how everyone looks like royalty then (it was a spring fling dance) and makes everyone realize that the home coming queen crown is just that, a home coming queen crown, not real, not made of gold, but someone like styrofoam or plastic. She realizes that just because you’re prettier than someone else, does not make you better. That just because you dress better, you weren’t going to win. That ruining the girl that ruined YOUR life is not going to make you happy, no matter what you think. It shows that you mustn’t gossip or give boys the reason to call you wh*re or b*tch, and, well, you know the drill…
Cady finally realizes what is right, and what is wrong. I like that! But at any rate, I only recommend it to 10 and older.
[Average/3½]
Cassie, age 11
Positive—…As a sophomore, I can say that what I saw in the movie was as true as it could’ve possibly been. That just goes to show what high school is coming to these days; it really is sick. The thing that I saw in the movie that made it worth watching was the fact that the main character, after learning the hard way, finally saw straight through the fake and “plastic” teenage society that was around her. And the fact that she fell into it and got herself out of it makes her such a realistic character. She saw and taught others about being themselves and forgetting about what others thought of them.
In my opinion, there was no other way to show what most teenagers without Christ are like then by showing the sex and the drugs and everything else that was found offensive in the movie. It was deliberately offensive. Most of the crudeness was for humor, and though I wouldn’t recommend children under 14 to see it (no, not 13), it is a definite eye-opener for those not in high school of how much teenagers of today need Christ.
[Better than Average/3½]
In my opinion, there was no other way to show what most teenagers without Christ are like then by showing the sex and the drugs and everything else that was found offensive in the movie. It was deliberately offensive. Most of the crudeness was for humor, and though I wouldn’t recommend children under 14 to see it (no, not 13), it is a definite eye-opener for those not in high school of how much teenagers of today need Christ.
[Better than Average/3½]
Katelyn, age 15
Positive—As a high school student, I can tell you that this movie is a mildly exaggerated depiction of the average high school. When you look at a film thinking that exposure to the real world is wrong, you come out with a holier-than-thou perspective, rejecting the world and pushing yourself away from reality (at least, in my experience). Instead, you should realize that this is the sad truth about America’s children, especially the girls, that many have become every bit as cynical, backstabbing, and cruel as this movie depicts. I completely understand that you would not want to expose your young children to this content for fear it would cause them to be influenced by the negative characters, but anyone mature enough to see the difference between wrong and right should be able to handle it. I challenge you as parents and leaders to instead of hiding the truth, put experiences like this to good use by taking your teen girls to this movie and using it to lead them down the right path, making clear to them the moral of the story, a real and relevant message for girls today.
The moral of this movie is not just “be nice, and everything will be okay.” It also shows just how easily friends, no matter how true or close you think they are, can drag you down, and using this as a tool you can instruct your daughters on how to keep their non-Christian friends from being an influence on them, while not pushing those friends away from themselves and Christ’s love.
[Average/3½]
The moral of this movie is not just “be nice, and everything will be okay.” It also shows just how easily friends, no matter how true or close you think they are, can drag you down, and using this as a tool you can instruct your daughters on how to keep their non-Christian friends from being an influence on them, while not pushing those friends away from themselves and Christ’s love.
[Average/3½]
Neena J. Smith, age 14
Negative—I thought the movie was going to be good. My cousin and I went to watch it for her Birthday. She is only ten years old and when ever we got in the car to leave I had to explain how bad that movie was and how you should not say things like that and how High School is not like that.
[Very Offensive/1]
[Very Offensive/1]
Sarah Lampe, age 13
Positive—I loved this movie. I thought it was funny and provided a good lesson for everyone. The language was not something I was offended by, as a Christian and as a student, because that is how must people talk at school, so I guess I am used to it. I hope everyone likes this movie!
[Average/3½]
[Average/3½]
Paige, age 14
Positive—I think that “Mean Girls” showed teenage girls like myself how high-school can really be. Yes, the movie did have scenes anywords that do not need to be in there but some of it did. How do you expect a movie that is all about popular people acting like snobs an then becoming regular kids not to have cursing in it. I believe that this movie was very good and taught excellent lesson.
[Average/4½]
[Average/4½]
Melanie Coleman, age 13
Movie Critics
…Frank conversations involve sex, breasts, tampons, homosexuality and lesbianism…
Bob Smithouser, Plugged In
…biting teen comedy… Fearless in its depiction of teen sexuality… [includes] a strong, gay teenager…
Robert K. Elder, Chicago Tribune
…a rare mix of humor and heart… includes …an exuberant if clothed makeout session between a high school couple… semiclothed teens are shown in sexual situations…
Bill Muller, The Arizona Republic
My Ratings: [Better than Average/3]