Celebrating 20 years since its release, the iconic comedy “Mean Girls” continues to captivate audiences. ThisTina Fey-penned and Mark Waters-directed masterpiece introduced the unforgettable characters of Cady Heron, Regina George, and the Plastics. Despite its initial box office success, earning over $130 million in 2004, “Mean Girls” has cemented its status as a timeless classic.
Paramount Home Entertainment celebrated the 20th anniversary and the Mean Girls musical remake with the release of the Mean Girls 20th Anniversary 4K UHD Blu-ray. This marks the film’s first 4K treatment and the best physical release yet.
**Worthiness Assessment:**
1. Evaluate the Pros and Cons
2. Consider Your Needs
The Movie
Despite the passage of 20 years, Tina Fey’s “Mean Girls” remains a pop culture staple due to its timeless depiction of the high school experience. The film’s references and humor resonate with audiences today as they did in 2004, highlighting the enduring relevance of the high school experience despite technological advancements.
The exceptional performances by Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Lizzy Caplan, and the entire cast remain unforgettable. The legendary quotes retain their enduring humor, evoking nostalgia and laughter.
“Mean Girls” stands tall as one of the most beloved comedies of the 2000s. Its recent physical release is a testament to its timeless appeal, ensuring fans can now enjoy its brilliance in a format that befits its iconic status.
The Disc (and The Packaging)
The “Mean Girls” 4K release boasts a 2160p native restoration in Dolby Vision/HDR 10. This transfer enhances the Blu-ray version significantly, restoring color and details. While it preserves the classic 2004 look, it also sharpens the picture. This balance is notable, considering that films from earlier decades often exhibit more noticeable grain during restoration. The 4K “Mean Girls” release successfully brings to life the film’s original aesthetic, offering promise for Paramount’s upcoming “Anchorman” 20th Anniversary 4K release.
Impressively, this transfer uncovers astonishing detail in a film where detail is not the focal point. <em>Mean Girls</em> is a dialogue-driven teen comedy devoid of elaborate effects or grand sets. As such, a restoration might not be prioritized. However, picture quality makes a notable impact. Even without visual spectacle, enhanced clarity enhances the jokes and performances, revealing nuances that elevate the overall experience.
The meticulous restoration of “Mean Girls” has revitalized the film’s presentation. Increased detail enhances the characters’ facial expressions, while the refined clarity of the school setting reveals intricate background elements. The expansive frame focus creates a visual richness that was previously absent in other formats. Combined with a vibrant color palette, this restoration elevates “Mean Girls” to its most visually stunning iteration in its two-decade history.
The <em>Mean Girls</em> 20th Anniversary disc boasts an exclusive bright pink 4K case, echoing the signature color of Regina George and the Plastics. The slipcover mimics the notorious Burn Book from the film, enhancing its visual appeal. Despite not being a steelbook, the case serves as an eye-catching collectible for fans to showcase.
Despite the trend of recent 4K Paramount releases including Blu-ray or DVD copies, this release of “Mean Girls” only offers a 4K disc. While the primary focus is typically on the 4K disc, some may prefer multi-format packages. However, both the 2023 and 2024 “Mean Girls” releases feature only the 4K disc, although they do include digital copies.
The Features
While this new *Mean Girls* release boasts an abundance of special features, an unfortunate caveat is that most of them have been previously released.
Despite porting over filmmaker commentary and most featurettes from the previous Blu-ray release, this edition offers a new exclusive feature titled “Mean Girls: Class of ’04.” This special reunites Tina Fey with the 2024 cast as they reminisce about the original film. While this addition is a welcome one, it is slightly disappointing that only one new feature is included in this release.
If you haven’t purchased the Blu-ray, this 4K release offers several compelling features. Explore the complete list of “Mean Girls” 4K features below.
- Mean Girls: Class of ’04-Tina Fey and cast from the new movie look back at the original film and discuss why it became a cult classic. NEW!
- Commentary by director Mark Waters, screenwriter and actress Tina Fey, and producer Lorne Michaels
- Only the Strong Survive
- The Politics of Girl World
- Plastic Fashion
- Word Vomit (Blooper Reel)
- So Fetch – Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by director Mark Waters and screenwriter and actress Tina Fey
- Interstitials
- Theatrical Trailer
The Verdict
Mean Girls is a captivating movie that accurately portrays high school life in the 2000s. It’s an essential addition to any home collection, and the 20th Anniversary 4K version is the definitive experience.
This 4K restoration of “Mean Girls” meticulously covers all bases, delivering a substantial upgrade to the beloved film. The team behind the transfer has done an exceptional job, ensuring that both fans of the movie and physical media will be highly satisfied.
If you like Mean Girls, don’t hesitate to pick this up. If you’ve never seen it, this disc is a perfect opportunity to change that.
Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the iconic film Mean Girls with its release on 4K Ultra HD. For a limited time, you can purchase a copy directly from Amazon.