Mean Girls (2024) 4K Ultra HD

In "Mean Girls" (2024), new student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is welcomed into the top of the social food chain by the elite group of popular girls called “The Plastics,” ruled by the conniving queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp). However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney), she finds herself prey in Regina’s crosshairs. As Cady sets to take down the group’s apex predator with the help of her outcast friends Janis (Auli'i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey), she must learn how to stay true to herself while navigating the most cutthroat jungle of all: high school. (Gary Reber)

Specisl features include the featurettes "A New Age Of Mean Girls" (HD 05:47), "Song And Dance" (HD 11:38) and "The New Plastics" (HD 08:13), gag reel (HD 03:46), "Not My Fault" Music Video with Reneé Rapp and Megan Thee Stallion (HD 02:53), extended scene (HD 01:18, Mean Girls Sing-Along with select songs (HD 45:15 , and a digital copy.

The 1.85:1:1 2160p HEVC/H.265 4K Ultra HD Dolby Vision/HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photograph digitally using the Arri Alexa 35 camera system and sourced from a 4K Digital Intermediate. The picture is very colorful with strong saturated primaries and subtle hue shadings. Flesh tones appear natural throughout. HDR contrast exhibits exaggerated bright white levels, deep blacks and revealing shadows. Resolution is excellent and revealing of fine detail in facial features, clothing fabrics and object textures. This is a bright, colorful pictures that exaggerates visual realism. (Gary Reber}

The Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack sounds dynamic and features lots of song and dance numbers with nicely recorded frontal-sounding orchestrations that comprise a wide and deep soundstage with extension to the surrounds. Atmospherics sound realistic. Sound effects complement when required. Foley sound effects provide good sync with picture. Deep bass is strong, especially as a musical element. Surround extension is aggressive. Dialogue is intelligible though forward sounding with ADR production.

The Immersive Sound element is comprised of limited and sporadic atmospherics, sound effects and some dialogue. The height layer palette was virtually ignored for a disappointing experience, especially considering the music numbers were not extended.

This is a pretty conventional soundtrack with holosonic® elements and simple music that will appeal to a younger crowd. (Gary Reber)