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Hairspray

(2007) Comedy - Rated PG

Directed by: Adam Shankman

Starring: John Travolta, Nikki Blonsky

Overview: A plump Baltimore teen becomes an overnight celebrity after she wins a spot on a local dance show.

RATINGS:

  • Hairspray

    In 1960s Baltimore a plump teen (Nikki Blonsky) becomes an overnight celebrity after she wins a spot on a local dance program called ``The Corny Collins Show.''

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    Reviews

    REELZ REVIEW
    "This isn't John Waters' Hairspray. But it turns out that's okay with us...."  [more]
    — Heather Huntington

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    • dancingsingingelf09

      03/20/08 09:44 PM
      This is a wonderful musical! I still can't get the songs out of my head. It is also a good film to watch with the kids because it is fairly clean and explains the issue of racism. A little swearing (less than half a dozen) and two comments that will go over their heads. Wonderful film.
      Review Rating: +1
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    • Heather Huntington

      ReelzChannel.com, July 18, 2007

      This isn't John Waters' Hairspray. But it turns out that's okay with us.

       

      I went into Hairspray a skeptic. No, that's not exactly right. I went into Hairspray angry is more like it. I remember watching the original Hairspray by John Waters when I was in high school--and while this isn't exactly my first gig out of college, it's not as though high school was that long Stiller, Travolta, and Blonskyago, either. The truth is, Waters' original version of Hairspray was done in 1988--and to misappropriate some Hamlet, you should let the corpse cool a little more before you move on.

       

      The thing is, though, that this Hairspray isn't exactly a remake of Waters' wonderfully subversive film of not that long ago. This Hairspray is a film adaptation of the Broadway musical of Hairspray, which was, of course, inspired by the Waters version. So it's a smidge different.

       

      The story is fundamentally the same--big-hearted, big-haired, and just plain old big Tracy Turnblad still hopes against hope that she can get a spot on the toast of 1960's teen Baltimore, The Corny Collins musical variety show, despite her rather plump stature. The blonde, beautiful Von Tussles still try to keep her from living her dream. And she still teaches the world a little something about integration along the way.

       

      The difference is that this Hairspray is without that very subversiveness--so fundamental to Waters' style--that made the original film version so special. Not to say that Hairspray is entirely without tongue-in-cheek humor; in fact, it's definitely still there in the script. It just gets a little lost in the tone, which is much more about big, shiny, stage-y musical productions than about really bringing out the quirk and message underneath.

       

      Brittany SnowNonetheless, Hairspray did its part to win me over. Cameos by Waters himself, as well as several of the original cast (Ricki Lake, Jerry Stiller, etc.) did their part to subdue the naysayer in me (if they can endorse it, who am I to be such a grinch)? And it certainly is the perfect candidate for the current movie musical craze.

       

      Much has been made of newcomer Nikki Blonsky's casting as Tracy (the tale of her working in an ice cream parlor at the time she was cast is the sort of which Hollywood dreams are made), and there is no question she is ideal for the part. She's cute, bright, enthusiastic, and most importantly she's got the qualities most essential Tracy--she's an overweight girl who can dance and sing. But although her voice impressed even cynical me (that girl can really belt), I nonetheless found her a delivery a little stage-y--a little more musical theater than movie musical--and that put me off just a bit.

       

      The other big to-do about Hairspray is that John Travolta plays Edna Queen LatifahTurnblad--Tracy's hefty, agoraphobic, laundry mistress mother. Edna Turnblad is traditionally a drag part (it was originated by drag queen Divine in Waters' version), but Travolta elected to do it in female prosthetics instead. This decision was another part of the movie about which I had my doubts, but I will confess that Travolta totally turned me around. A mountain of a woman in his female fat suit, he commits 150% to the role, nailing Edna's working class Baltimore accent to the wall, and clearly adoring every last second of it--so much so that you really can believe him as her mother. Weird, but true.

       

      Director Adam Shankman (The Wedding Planner, Bringing Down the House) was clearly the man for the job as he has choreographed virtually everything there's been to choreograph in Hollywood. And the supporting cast all delivers--particularly the lovely Michelle Pfeiffer as the bad-to-the-bone Velma Von Tussle. Pfeiffer is an actress I love never so much as when she is playing a real character role (e.g., Catwoman) because she can really go all out with them in a way few others can, and Velma is a similar such circumstance.

       

      Was Hairspray perfect? No. I am still more a sucker for the snide than the squeaky clean, and I thought it ran a little long. But my toes still tapped, and the messages are even good ones--sounds like good entertainment to me.


      ReelzChannel Rating:  7

  • 32 photos. Click to enlarge.

    • becuzimhawt

      01/23/08 04:30 PM
      LOVED IT!!! I think this is a great example of taking an already good musical and turning it into a great movie. Though I did not like that they cast Zac Efron as one of the leads and I think they were just trying to play off the whole High School Musical hype. I thought Amanda Bynes didn't get enough screen time and could have brought something extra to the movie if they would have let her. Nikki Blonsky was good and I would like to see her in a more dramatic movie. John Travolta as a woman was like going to your in-laws and seeing your mom-in-law without makeup. Michele Pfiefer was awesome and I always love her work. This is great for a movie party with your girlfriends or with a bunch of people.
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    • crzyhrsgirl

      02/21/08 10:40 PM
      I absolutely loved this movie! I find it so inspiring to see movies that promote acceptance. It's lovely to see a movie that has a more ordinary leading lady, rather than the usual beauty queen. Nikki Blonsky is a talented, beautiful young woman and I can't wait to see her in more films! She is a great role model for young women-my 5 year old cousin sure is a fan! Not to mention, the music was amazing-I just wanted to get up and dance along with them!
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    • dancingsingingelf09

      03/20/08 09:44 PM
      This is a wonderful musical! I still can't get the songs out of my head. It is also a good film to watch with the kids because it is fairly clean and explains the issue of racism. A little swearing (less than half a dozen) and two comments that will go over their heads. Wonderful film.
      Review Rating: +1
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    • Rubyscarlett

      03/29/08 03:14 PM
      Hairspray is a very good musical with the two best dancers in the entire world, John Travolta and Christopher Walken, as the main character's parents. John Travolta was EXCELLENT as an overweight mom and Chriistopher Walken was so sweet and played such a good father figure. The rest of the cast was great too and brought out a lot of good unknowns. Everyonne should definately see this.
      Review Rating: +1
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    • RobGrizzly

      06/24/08 07:32 PM
      This movie is crazy. It has offbeat humor that's 2 parts spoof and 1 part random slapstick. Like cl***ic Simpsons, they satire a laundry list of things: The 60s, white people, housewives, fat people, bible-thumpers, conservatives, liberals, highschool, black people, kids, television, pretty people, fashion styles, dancing, beauty pageants, affairs, interracial relations, singing, segregation, (***** Day!), and just the musical genre as a whole.
      In a quirky way, it all works. This is the most joyfully gay film I've seen perhaps ever. And they make no bones about it, in fact they embrace it. John Travolta especially. He and Walken both play over the top versions of themselves, I think. (more satire). Nikki Blondsky's plucky voice and attitude at the very beginning may make you quiver, but you get used to it really quick. Amanda Bynes is also noteworthy as the air-head best friend. She's so good, it's scary! Doesn't even look like acting... Michelle Pfiefer is hot as always, and deliciously evil. I also liked Jason Marsden's amped up "Gay Seacrest" impersonation!
      But I could go on and on about how this movie is a success in every aspect. But I'll just say, it'll cheer me up everytime I watch it. Funny as hell.
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  • Crew

    Director Adam Shankman
    Producer Craig Zadan
    Producer Neil Meron
    Executive Producer Jennifer Gibgot
    Executive Producer Garrett Grant
    Executive Producer Toby Emmerich
    Executive Producer Mark Kaufman
    Executive Producer Marc Shaiman
    Executive Producer Scott Wittman
    Executive Producer Bob Shaye
    Executive Producer Michael Lynne
    Writer Leslie Dixon

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