"MEAN GIRLS"
(2004) (Lindsay Lohan, Tina Fey) (PG-13)

Alcohol/ Drugs	Blood/Gore	Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude	Frightening/ Tense Scenes	Guns/ Weapons
Heavy	Mild	Heavy	None	None
Imitative Behavior	Jump Scenes	Music (Scary/Tense)	Music (Inappropriate)	Profanity
Heavy	Minor	Minor	Mild	Moderate
Sex/ Nudity	Smoking	Tense Family Scenes	Topics To Talk About	Violence
Heavy	None	Minor	Moderate	Moderate

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QUICK TAKE:

Comedy: After entering the public school system for the first time, a teenager tries to infiltrate the most popular clique but falls prey to its power.

PLOT:

Cady Heron (LINDSAY LOHAN) is a teenager who's entering the public school system for the first time after living in Africa where her parents worked and home-schooled her. After being introduced by North Shore High School Principal Ron Duvall (TIM MEADOWS) and math teacher Ms. Norbury (TINA FEY), Cady gets the scoop on the school and its social structure by student outsiders Janis (LIZZY CAPLAN) and Damian (DANIEL FRANZESE).

Cady thus learns of the various school cliques, including the most popular one, The Plastics, that consists of Regina George (RACHEL McADAMS), Gretchen Weiners (LACEY CHABERT) and Karen Smith (AMANDA SEYFRIED). The snobby and elitist girls take an instant liking to Cady and offer her a coveted seat with them in the cafeteria.

Realizing the Cady isn't like the rest of the Plastics, Janis and Damian think it's a prime opportunity for someone to get an inside look at the inner workings of the clique. That would include Regina's "burn book" that includes all sorts of mean, nasty and disparaging remarks about most everyone at the school.

Cady accepts the undercover mission and things seem to be going smoothly. That is, until she spots hunky Aaron Samuels (JONATHAN BENNETT) in her math class. Gretchen informs her, however, that he's Regina's ex-boyfriend and thus off limits. When Regina then purposefully sabotages any potential relationship between him and Cady, the latter sets out to turn the Plastics' lives upside down. As she does, however, she begins to fall prey to social power that her position in the clique offers.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?

It's a good bet many teenagers and some older preteens will want to, especially if they're fans of someone in the cast.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG-13

For sexual content, language and some teen partying.

CAST AS ROLE MODELS:

LINDSAY LOHAN plays a new student to the public school system who infiltrates the most popular clique, but then falls prey to its power as she sets out to destroy those within it. She (along with the other girls in the clique) wears tight-fitting and/or revealing attire.

RACHEL McADAMS plays the elitist and snobby leader of the girl clique who takes Cady under her wing but then suffers the consequences of sabotaging Cady's potential relationship with Aaron. LACEY CHABERT plays the second in command of the Plastics who becomes jealous of Regina's attention paid to Cady.

AMANDA SEYFRIED plays the ditsy member of the Plastics.

LIZZY CAPLAN plays an outsider student who's one of the first to befriend Cady but then becomes dismayed over Cady falling prey to her clique power.

DANIEL FRANZESE plays her best friend, an openly gay student.

TINA FEY plays the students' recently divorced math teacher who tries to help them see the error of their ways.

TIM MEADOWS plays the school principal who tires of the social strata and strife in his school.

JONATHAN BENNETT plays Regina's hunky ex-boyfriend who draws Cady's attention.

CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO

HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE

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Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit?
Then read OUR TAKE of this film.

(Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below).

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OUR WORD TO PARENTS:

Here's a quick look at the content found in this comedy that's been rated PG-13. Profanity consists of at least 2 partial uses of the "f" word, while other expletives and colorful phrases are uttered. Various instances of sexually related dialogue are present (by students, in a sex-ed class, etc.), while shapely young women wear very tight, short or otherwise revealing bits of clothing. A male character is noted as being gay and allegations are made about a student being a lesbian, while some clothed making out occurs.

All sorts of imitative behavior is present, while various characters have varying degrees of bad attitudes. Some drug references are made and some teens drink at parties (with one being drunk and later vomiting from that), while other crude humor is also present. Some black comedy and slapstick style violence is present, including a school fight and a bus suddenly striking students in separate scenes.

If you're still concerned about the film and its appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home who may be interested in seeing it, we suggest that you take a closer look at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content.

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ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE

When Regina's mom brings the girls "drinks," Cady nervously asks if there's alcohol in them. The mom says no, but then asks Cady if she wants some, adding that it's better for them to drink there than elsewhere.

Damian jokingly states that his mother takes her wig off when she's drunk.

Students drink at a party.

Cady bends some words and tells Regina that Ms. Norbury started talking to her about crack (as in cocaine) and Regina then says something about that.

Cady jokingly says that Ms. Norbury is a pusher and more comments are made about the teacher selling drugs (and it's written into Regina's "burn book").

Many students drink at a party, including Cady who downs at least 2 shots and has some presumably spiked punch, then appears intoxicated and finally vomits from that.

Principal Duvall asks students whether Ms. Norbury (based on rumors) sold any of them ecstasy or marijuana tablets. Later, Ms. Norbury sarcastically asks Cady if she wants to buy some drugs.

BLOOD/GORE

As Cady tries to find a seat in class, others tell her not to sit behind a particular student since he farts a lot.

Cady wears a zombie bride Halloween costume with some fake blood down her face and some on her wedding gown.

We hear the sound of Cady vomiting (from being drunk) and then see Aaron apparently flinging some vomit off his arm when he leaves.

After Principal Duvall tells the girls to open up to him and others, one states that the reason others wrote that she's not a virgin is because she uses super jumbo tampons due to her heavy flow and super wide vagina.

A student seated in front of Cady farts and she reacts to the smell.

DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE

Regina, the other Plastics and then eventually Cady all have bad and condescending attitudes toward others.

Some viewers might not like a jab at home-schoolers where a bunch of country bumpkin kids are seen with one stating that on the 3rd day God created the Remington rifle to kill what sound liked dinosaurs and homosexuals (with the rest chiming in "Amen" to the latter part).

We see some students burning what's presumably a text book.

Various students are mean to Cady on her first day of school.

When Principal Duvall announces that the class has a new student from Africa, Ms. Norbury automatically thinks it's a black girl (when it's really Cady), embarrassing Ms. Norbury. Later, Karen asks Cady why she is white if she's from Africa.

Janis and Damian get Cady to skip a class by misleading her about its location.

A student responds to something by saying, "I'm not retarded."

Regina calls another girl's mother and acts as if she's from Planned Parenthood regarding the girl (to get her in trouble).

Comments are made about a girl still being a virgin and another being a "dyke."

Regina shows her "burn book" that has all sorts of mean and nasty things written about most everyone else at their school.

Regina lies to Aaron about Cady and then comes on to him (all after telling Cady that she had permission to date him).

A person uses the phrase, "It was so retarded."

A person throws something that hits Damian who's performing onstage.

Cady sets out to break up the Plastics by playing upon their insecurities, etc.

We see one of the teachers/coaches making out with a student (they're clothed).

A person uses the comment, "She was so queer."

An obese girl tells Regina, "Watch where you're going, fat ass."

Regina turns in her "burn book" (where bad things are sad about others), suggesting it's Cady's.

A person is referred to as a "dyke."

Cady lies to Ms. Norbury about her involvement in the trashing of others.

Regina snidely tells Janis (who she keeps calling a lesbian) that her dream has come true as she can dive into a bunch of girls (as a fall backward confidence test has other girls doing just that).

Male students on both sides of a math competition pick the lone girls on each team to square off (thinking that they're the weakest link).

FRIGHTENING SCENES

None.

GUNS/WEAPONS

None.

IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR

Phrases: "Freaks," "Talk to me again and I'll kick your ass," "Slut-face ho' back," "Why are you such a skeez?" "Bitch," "Shut up," "It's so fetch," "I'm not retarded," "Scum sucking road whore," "Bad ass," "Loser," "Do you think I'm an idiot?" "Suck," "Byotch" (bitch), "Dyke" (lesbian), "Those bitches," "Bitchy," "Slut," "Skanks," "It was so retarded," "That's the ugliest f-ing shirt I've ever seen" (said exactly like that), "Word vomit," "They suck," "Nuts" (crazy), "You whore," "Watch where you're going, fat ass," "You look awesome," "Pissed off," "Nastiest skank bitch," "She is a fugly slut," "Oh, hell no," "Nigga" (seen in subtitles from an Asian girl), "Suck on that," "Jungle freak," an incomplete "Shove it up your..." "Welcome back, nerd," "You no good sons of bitches," "Oh crap," "Kick ass" and "Are you still an asshole?"

We see some students burning what's presumably a text book.

Cady and the three Plastics all wear tight and/or revealing clothing (very short skirts, tops that show varying amounts of cleavage, etc.) throughout the film that accentuate and/or show off their shapely bodies.

Many young women, including Cady and the Plastics, wear midriff-revealing tops.

Various students, including Cady, drink alcohol at parties.

Regina calls another girl's mother and acts as if she's from Planned Parenthood regarding the girl (to get her in trouble).

Cady gives Regina face lotion that's really foot lotion.

As a practical joke, one girl cuts holes in another's shirt, that we then see are over her breasts (that are still covered by another layer of clothing or bra beneath the shirt). We then see that many girls are wearing this new "style."

A person throws something that hits Damian who's performing onstage. He then throws it back.

Cady sets out to break up the Plastics by playing upon their insecurities, etc.

Trying to ruin Regina's life, Cady lies to her about some nutrition bars she gives her (saying they'll make her lose weight when they'll really do the opposite).

Cady acts dumb and purposefully does badly in math class, hoping to get Aaron to notice and like her.

On a TV in the background of a shot, we see two young women lift their shirts and flash their breasts (that are blurred out), prompting a young girl to imitate them.

Janis gives the "f-you" arm gesture (one hand hitting the inside elbow of another and then bending it forward).

Janis gives the devil sign (index and pinky finger raised) as a taunt toward Regina.

JUMP SCENES

A girl is suddenly smashed by a bus (we only briefly see the impact and it's played for laughs). While we think she's killed, we later see her alive (albeit wearing a neck "halo").

We see an imagined shot of a bus suddenly striking three underclass girls.

MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE)

Some suspenseful music plays from a horror movie on TV.

MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE)

A math geek, Kevin, uses some sexualized lyrics in a rap he does during a talent show.

PROFANITY

At least 2 partial uses of the "f" word (as in "F-ing and an incomplete use starting with "mother"), 2 slang terms for breasts ("boob" and "jugs"), 6 asses (1 written and 1 used with "hole"), 4 damns, 3 S.O.B.s, 2 craps, 1 hell, 17 uses of "Oh my God," 7 of "God," 5 of "Oh God" and 1 of "Good Lord."

SEX/NUDITY

We see some students doing some passionate clothed kissing in class.

Cady accidentally runs into Ms. Norbury, spilling some beverage down the latter's front in class. As she goes to remove that outer shirt, it pulls up the one beneath it, showing her in her bra (with cleavage). Principal Duvall walks in at that moment, and after a brief discussion, she says that maybe something can happen another time when her shirt isn't see-through (he then stares at her tank-top covered chest).

Cady and the three Plastics all wear tight and/or revealing clothing (very short skirts, tops that show varying amounts of cleavage, etc.) throughout the film that accentuate and/or show off their shapely bodies.

A male student tells another that something (presumably sexual) only counts "if you saw nipple."

Janis states that Damian is almost too gay to function. She later tells him, "You really out-gayed yourself."

An instructor in a sex-ed class tells his students not to have sex in the missionary position or standing up (stating that they'll die) and then tells everyone to take a rubber (he has a container of them).

We hear a breakdown of the various student cliques in the cafeteria, including that of the "sexually active band geeks."

Regina matter-of-factly asks Cady if she wants to have sex with a guy who's joined them at school and Cady says, "No thank you."

Cady fantasizes about the students in a shopping mall being like animals in the wild, adding something about being "in heat."

Regina calls another girl's mother and acts as if she's from Planned Parenthood regarding the girl (to get her in trouble).

We hear that Regina's mom had a "boob job" (as the camera focuses on her chest) and that they're as hard as rocks (Cady reacts to the feel of them when the mom hugs her). The mom doesn't then realize that the small family dog is biting on her clothed nipple.

Comments are made about a girl still being a virgin and another being a "dyke."

We see the Plastics in lingerie for their Halloween costumes (small, tight and/or revealing), with one somewhat dressed up like a Playboy bunny.

Karen talks about her cousin being a good kisser (with Gretchen trying to explain that that's wrong).

Regina lies to Aaron about Cady and then comes on to him (all after telling Cady that she had permission to date him). We then see her passionately kissing him at a party.

We see what looks like two girls kissing at a Halloween party (although it's possible one could be a guy in drag).

We see various female students wearing just towels. As a practical joke, one cuts holes in another's shirt, that we then see are over her breasts (that are still covered by another layer of clothing or bra beneath the shirt). We then see that many girls are wearing this new "style."

Gretchen states that Regina's parents don't sleep in the same bed anymore.

A math geek, Kevin, uses some sexualized lyrics in a rap he does during a talent show. He then tells Janis that he'd rather see her out there on stage "shaking your thing" rather than the Plastics. We then see them doing a heavily sexualized and choreographed dance number to "Jingle Bell Rock" (wearing small, Christmas type outfits and sashaying about, etc.).

We see Regina and a guy making out in the projection room. She's in her bra and he's in just his briefs and then tries to cover his crotch when they're discovered there.

Later, we see one of the teachers/coaches making out with a student (they're clothed).

Janis snidely remarks that Regina has bigger "jugs" now that she's fat.

Janis tells Cady that she smells like a "baby prostitute."

Cady and Aaron have a brief, passionate kiss.

Regina states that she was half a virgin when she met Aaron.

The dimwitted Karen says that her breasts can always tell when it's going to rain (and she briefly pushes her clothed ones).

We briefly see Regina on top of a guy on a bed, with her mom popping in and asking if they need a condom.

On a TV in the background of a shot, we see two young women lift their shirts and flash their breasts (that are blurred out), prompting a young girl to imitate them.

The camera briefly focuses on Regina's clothed butt.

We see various quick shots of various couples making out in rooms (clothed) at a party.

A sex-ed instructor tells his students that they'll have urges and want to take off their clothes, but that they'll then get Chlamydia.

A guy yells at a girl in a fight to take off her top (she doesn't).

After Principal Duvall tells the girls to open up to him and others, one states that the reason others wrote that she's not a virgin is because she uses super jumbo tampons due to her heavy flow and super wide vagina.

Ms. Norbury tells the girls that they have to stop calling each other sluts and whores as that only makes it easier for guys to call them that too.

When Janis gets part of a school dance tiara, she says she's a queen, prompting Damian to say he is as well.

Cady and Aaron passionately kiss.

We see that Karen has become a weather lady and she comments on her breasts and the weather.

SMOKING

None.

TENSE FAMILY SCENES

Ms. Norbury states that she got divorced over the summer.

TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT

School cliques and students who are mean or condescending to others.

Cady acts dumb and purposefully does badly in math class, hoping to get Aaron to notice and like her.

Ms. Norbury tells the girls that they have to stop calling each other sluts and whores as that only makes it easier for guys to call them that too.

VIOLENCE

Cady fantasizes about the students in a shopping mall being like animals in the wild, and we see one knock another into a fountain in animal fashion.

Cady fantasizes about being like animals and attacking Regina. During this, she leaps on her and drives her to the floor.

A person throws something that hits Damian who's performing onstage. He then throws it back.

One of the Plastics accidentally kicks a boom box off the stage and onto another student's head.

Cady accidentally runs into and then falls face first into a large trash can. Later, Gretchen trips and falls at a party (slapstick style).

Two girls get into a fight over things written about each other. Soon other girls are fighting and then the halls are filled with pandemonium as girls hit, kick and otherwise struggle with others. One even kicks at Principal Duvall (all played for comedy).

After Gretchen confesses a secret to a group of girls (that's demeaning to others), she turns around to fall backwards into their arms. But Karen is the only one there and Gretchen crashes into her and both fall to the floor (slapstick style).

A girl is suddenly smashed by a bus (we only briefly see the impact and it's played for laughs). While we think she's killed, we later see her alive (albeit wearing a neck "halo").

Regina runs into some lacrosse players on the field and her shot on goal knocks down the goalie. An opposing player then knocks her down and others pile on top of her (all played for laughs).

We see an imagined shot of a bus suddenly striking three underclass girls.

Reviewed April 8, 2004 / Posted April 30, 2004

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