One expects ABC to come up with more than rip offs. But it had to be so different in the case of Means Girls 2, which is supposed to be a sequel to the popular 2004 Mean Girls. The sequel has everything between drama and flashing of monetary power. But the core of the original, how to handle social problems analytically is missing in it.

The story is based on Meaghan Martin (playing Jo) trying to save Jennifer Stone (playing Abby Hanover) from bullies called ‘the Plastics’ in high school. The Plastic trio (who could have been given a new name in the sequel) is played by Maiara Walsh, Nicole Anderson and Claire Holt.

The movie has turned out to be a poor adaptation of the original due to several reasons, including a poor script. While the issue of bullying can be built by showing, how to correct the wrong-doers by being smart and modest, this movie just shows how a financially-weak but street-smart girl forms an ‘anti-plastics’ gang of herself with Abby, and becomes a popular school kid. To damage the movie further, Martin’s screen presence is stiff and weak.

The Mean Girls 2 also tries to explore a romantic angle between one of the Plastics girl’s brother and Jo! Well, it could have been better had the makers advertised it as a remake of a great movie (into a bad one) rather than a sequel!

--Sampurn Wire