MEAN GIRLS 2

US, 2011, 96 minutes, Colour.
Meaghan Martin, Don Lamkin, Diego Boneta, Maiara Walsh, Lindon Ashby, Claire Holt, Patrick Johnson, Colin Dennard, Jennifer Stone, Tim Meadows.
Directed by Melanie Mayron.

Mean Girls had been a great commercial success in 2004. This is a somewhat belated follow-up, not a sequel, but rather a re-run of the basic plot of the original film.

Meaghan Martin plays Jo, who works with her mechanic father, has ambitions to be an architect and study at the University where her late mother studied. Coming new to the school, she finds the mean Mandi, Maiara Walsh. And, the screenplay certainly makes them snobbish mean girls. One of their targets is Abby, Jennifer Stone, an awkward girl from a wealthy family. Jo takes her side.

The film has a collection of very mean-minded actions, some very nasty, by The Plastics. Jo’s reaction lead to Abby’s father paying her to be Abby’s friend, something she doesn’t want to do but does accept. There are also some boys in the action, especially Diego Boneta as Jo’s partner in studies and her boyfriend. There is quite an assortment of followers in the school, many dominated by The Plastics, and many willing to take sides with Jo.

As, with the first film, Jo becomes so absorbed in her defence of Abby, in defence of herself, that she almost becomes the equivalent of the leader of The Plastics.

The appeal, obviously, is to the teenage audience, especially girls who can identify with Jo and her campaign. They will also enjoy the romantic elements.

The leader of The Plastics becomes more nasty and vengeful but is finally exposed and humiliated – with Jo finishing up as an ideal model and leader. And Abby and her rather no dish computer expert boyfriend becoming the Homecoming king and queen.

The film was directed by actress turned director, Melanie Mayron, who worked extensively for television.