Hairspray (Full-Screen Edition)

I've put off watching this movie because I had caught snippets of the '88 version years ago was never impressed enough to watch the whole thing. I might do so now to compare. I found this version fresh and fun and even a little inspiring. And even though I can respect John Travolta for being a actor's actor-a man who even over 30 years in the biz willing to take some serious risk, I pray that he will now please step away from dresses and high heels. I easily found him to be the weakest singer of the lot and his makeup more disturbing than anything else. That was my only gripe. I love the music and the message. I also think Michelle Pfeiffer is just stunning and Christopher Walken as funny as always.

Absolutely phenomenal ensemble cast! Nikki Blonsky as our heroine Tracy Turnblad is fresh and delightful with star power to spare! John Travolta's Edna Turnblad is endearing and unlike any gender bending performance I've ever seen. It's not a "man" playing a "woman" - he embodies Edna and you can easily forget that she's being played by a man! Christopher Walken as Edna's husband, Wilbur, is just (as Edna defines him) the shiniest white knight ever! During his big dance number with Travolta, you can see he is genuinely enjoying his "wife!" Amanda Bynes could be my favorite! She delivers her one liners with perfection and I believe she could be the next generation Lucille Ball - just watch this girl's facial expressions! Her comedic timing is flawless. James Marsden is always easy on the eyes and is perfectly cast. Queen Latifah, Zac Efron, and Brittany Snow - they are all superb! Michelle Pfeiffer is delightfully cruel and watching her chew up the scenery as well as the other cast members is great fun. This is one to watch over and over again! Integration is the new frontier! :)

This is the most fun musical since Grease. The singing, dancing, and relevant story line will definitely put a smile on your face.

Let me first say that though other's have not liked Travolta's turn as Edna Turnblad, I thought he was the highlight of the movie. It was brave of Travolta, considering all the gay rumors about him. As for the rest of the movie, I was sorta bored, I thought the score was not very good, the songs are for the most part..bad. The choreography was first rate, how unfortunite the songs don't do the dances justice. The girl that plays Tracy is fine, she looks the part, all chubby and height challenged, with a bit of rhythm. The story is uplifting, I suppose, it's all P.C. and the ending is predictable..really I recommend it for one reason and one reason only: the singular Travolta...enjoy. FYI, rent dont buy.

***1/2 2007. Directed by Adam Shankman. Three Golden Globe nominations. Remake of John Waters's 1988 Hairspray. Baltimore in the early 60's. A fat teenager dreams of becoming a dancer in a local TV show. If one may wonder whether it was really necessary, if one excepts the financiary reason of course, to present another adaptation of John Waters's outstanding script, this 2007 version is nonetheless an excellent film for the family. Recommended.