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TheJujuZoo
Reviews
Mean Girls (2024)
Mediocre at Best
For anyone who has never seen or heard the musical I'm sure they'd enjoy it. For any fans of the musical, you definitely won't.
All of the songs felt very lackluster (except for I'd Rather Be Me). Cut the best songs in the musical, which totally altered the narrative and chemistry of characters.
Cady's actress completely lacked the excited naivety of Cady which causes her to fall under Regina's spell. I also think the actress did not have the vocal ability for songs like It Roars and Apex Predator, which is why one was cut and the other was sung by Damien. And it's why Stupid with Love had to be majorly softened for her, instead of the excited jumpy song in the original. She would've been a great Cady if this were just a remake of the original, not a screen adaptation of the musical.
A lot of the chemistry between the characters fell short for me. Gretchen was way too mild mannered, not the busy bee gossip she's supposed to be masking her insecurities. And in the end, her song about insecurities was pointless bc her relationship with Regina didn't come full circle. Karen's actress nailed her role and provided some comic relief but it fell short a lot. Cutting their part in Meet the Plastics was tragic. The original song is great and actually very funny. A lot of the cut songs would've nailed the comic relief the movie was desperately trying to fill with dialogue.
The directive choice to sing and talk at the camera constantly like it's a phone was off putting to me. I understand they're going for a more "modern social media" style, but to me it just didn't land. It was borderline uncomfortable.
I think the musical was about as perfect as a musical adaptation could've been, so it's sad they somehow mucked it up by changing almost everything and cutting the highlights for no reason. It wasn't a long movie there was plenty of time for some of the cut songs.
I would rewatch it with friends but simply to make fun of it, but as a whole I did not enjoy it.
The Last of Us: Long, Long Time (2023)
Story changes don't matter.
I don't care if they changed the original story for Bill and Frank. The directors clearly put a lot of thought into the characters and their changes, and created a fulfilling, heartfelt end to both of them. What a phenomenal emotional episode, the writing was immaculate. I wouldn't change a thing. And it set up the relationship with Joel and Ellie perfectly. Whoever hates on this episode and the casting has no taste, because it obviously pays tribute to all of the source material and then some. The directors have done nothing but honor and pay tribute to the amazing source material, and have even improved on the few details that were never elaborated on in the game. I can't wait to see what the end brings.
House of the Dragon: The Heirs of the Dragon (2022)
Chills!
I haven't felt chills from a GoT episode since seasons 6. And episode 1 of HoTD had goosebumps up my arms more than once! The acting is simply phenomenal. A very strong start to the series and I can only hope they continue this upward trend!