Remember back in 1994 when Clueless came out, and despite the fact that the main characters were all whiny, selfish, bratty teenagers it was actually easy to relate to and got good reviews? Well The Clique isnt like that. The main characters are all whiny, selfish, bratty teenagers, but there are absolutely no redeeming qualities about any of them. Is it a surprise this is brought to us by Tyra Banks?
Claire Lyons and her family are new to Westchester County, New York. While they look for a house, theyre staying temporarily with the Block family. Mr. Lyons and Mr. Block were good friends in college, and Mr. Block generously offered his guest house to his old friend and his family. The only problem is that Massie Block, their teenage daughter, is the reigning Alpha at Octavian Country Day School and leader of the Pretty Committee. Massie is obsessed with being the best at everything, especially the way she looks. She dresses in only designer fashions and looks down upon anyone lesser. When Claire shows up in overalls, Massie is convinced that her parents are only letting them stay so that she can torture her.
Claire ends up having to try her hardest to be accepted by the Pretty Committee and all its members: Massie, Alicia, Dylan, and Kristen. Instead, she fits in better with oatmeal eating outcast and LBR (Loser Beyond Repair) Layne Abeley. But, because teenage girls are glutton for punishment, Claire still wants to be a part of the Pretty Committee.
Youd think that Claire would be the heroine of this story, wouldnt you? The underdog that were all rooting for, who maybe finds acceptance for just being who she is. But this isnt that kind of a story. No, all of the girls, and I mean ALL of the girls do terrible, mean things to each other. Claire our heroine, sneaks into Massies room and IMs from her computer saying mean things about her friends. And Massie and all the other girls are just vicious and extremely bratty. Were not even given the satisfaction of seeing the girls redeem themselves. At least they apologize at the end, but they dont really give any clues that theyve changed their ways. Im sure the next day at school, theyll continue being the back-stabby bitches theyve been throughout the movie.
Speaking of bitches, they actually use that word in the movie. These girls are supposed to be 12 and 13. I guess theyre going more for realism? But I dont want the 12 and 13 year olds in my life to watch movies where kids their age are cursing. Just my opinion. One of the only redeeming qualities of the movie was the language used by the girls though, other than the profanity. They use some pretty funny made up lingo, and have cutesy quotes like, “The party was unbloggable without you”. I enjoyed listening to them…when they weren’t being bratty or whiny.
I suppose if theyre going for realism, this is better than a glossy Hollywood version of teenagers. These teenagers are horribly spoiled, they talk rudely to their parents, and theyre even ruder to each other. Then at the end of the day, they really dont care and theyre really not going to change anything about themselves. Until after college when they realize what idiots theyve been. But really, who wants their kids watching this kind of thing for entertainment when they see it every day at school?
The Clique is based on a series of insanely popular books by author Lisi Harrison. There are a total of nine novels in the Clique series, and it would seem that Warner Brothers has announced that they will be producing a series of direct to DVD films based on those books. This is only the first. And yes, this movie is produced by none other than self-absorbed fashion obsessed Tyra Banks. If there were ever a project more tailor made for a person, I swear. This just makes me long for the days of Clueless and The Babysitters Club.
The DVD has the widescreen version on one side and the fullscreen version on the other. It is presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio.
The Search for the Real Life Pretty Committee – This featurette shows some behind the scenes of the casting process for the film. 3:36
Ehmagawd! We’re rolling – Each girl talks about their characters, their little language, and stuff they did on set. 10:27
The Clique Movie: Tween Couture – Every girl talks about their clothes and their wardrobe lady Mandy. 9:24
The Clique Casting Contest Winners – Alloy magazine held a contest to have a bit part in the film. This featurette shows the winners who received a trip to LA and the chance to audition for the role. 6:46
Gag Reel – Not funny at all. 4:40
Clique Girlz in the Studio – This shows some girl group called The Clique Girlz recording a song for the soundtrack. 2:56
Previews include: An anti-piracy commercial, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, Another Cinderella Story, Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, Gossip Girl First Season on DVD, and a Blu-Ray commercial.
Fans of the book can look forward to more Clique movies in the future, but the rest of us will most likely ignore them. If you have a teenage daughter, do her a favor and steer her clear.
………………………………………
Warner Home Video presents The Clique. Directed by Michael Lembeck. Starring Elizabeth McLaughlin, Ellen Taylor Marlow, Sophie Anna Everhard, Bridgit Mendler. Written by Liz Tigelaar. Running time: 87 minutes. Rated PG. Released on DVD: November 18, 2008. Available at Amazon.
