Sunday, September 09, 2007
Hairspray
***** Hairspray. Musical.
Directed by: Adam Shankman.
Starring: John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Queen Latifah
We saw this at the Hercules. Interestingly, we only knew about it because the boys saw John Travolta on The Tonight Show and thought it would be hilarious. We didn't dance out of the theater, but that was only due to massive amounts of self-control.
I haven't seen the play or the original version of the movie, though I did put it in my Netflix queue, so I really didn't know what to expect other than musical comedy set in the 60s.
Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) is an overweight teen who loves to dance, and her dream is to get on the Corny Collins show. Her mother (John Travolta) cautions her against auditioning, wanting to spare her daughter the disappointment, but her father (Christopher Walken) encourages her to go for her dream.
Tracy does get on the show, and her dancing and sparkling personality make her a big hit, much to the chagrin of the program manager (Michelle Pfeiffer) who wants her own daughter to be the star.
When Tracy finds out that the show's "Negro Day" is being cancelled, she joins with Motormouth Maybelle (Queen Latifah) to protest segregation.
There are some serious issues presented: racism, obesity, and the value of family, but it's overall a feel-good movie. The racists get their comeuppance, overweight Tracy gets the cute boy, and Wilbur and Edna Turnblad are solidly in love.
The music is catchy and fun, and like I said, it was nearly irresistible. If I'd been watching it at home, I'd've been dancing.
And the humor... when I wasn't dancing in my seat, I was laughing, or at least grinning. My cheeks hurt afterward, I was smiling and laughing so much.
I'll be buying this DVD as soon as it comes out.
...more
Categories: Movies, 5stars, Musical
Labels: 5 stars, Movies, musical
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The very notion of a movie based on the musical based on the movie frightens me a little, but I suppose it worked for The Producers after all ...
# posted by 
: 9/09/2007 7:56 PM
: 9/09/2007 7:56 PM
I have seen the original version Hairspray movie when I was kid. Rickki Lake, I believe play the main teen character in original version. Although this been a very long time ago, I can not remember things happen in the orignal movie. But I do recall re-watching the movie over and over again. It was fun back than.
I have not watch the new version with John Travolta, although I love him in any movies.And from what little clip I have seen and heard, it sound like the new version is lot of musical fun and dancing too! Great review Darla :)
I have not watch the new version with John Travolta, although I love him in any movies.And from what little clip I have seen and heard, it sound like the new version is lot of musical fun and dancing too! Great review Darla :)
I don't think The Producers showed up over here. :( Thanks for the reminder to put it in my Netflix queue, though. I do have the original of that one, and I'd love to see what they did with it.
Yeah, Rikki Lake was Tracy in the original. I've heard a lot about it, I've just never seen it, and I really haven't heard anything about how the two compare, so I don't know if this is better or worse or just different. *shrug*
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Yeah, Rikki Lake was Tracy in the original. I've heard a lot about it, I've just never seen it, and I really haven't heard anything about how the two compare, so I don't know if this is better or worse or just different. *shrug*
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