Hairspray (2007) User Reviews

Great, cheesy fun!

[newma_nbway · 7/10 · 16 July 2007]

Obviously a big-budget, flashy musical remake of a John Waters film is never going to be as subversive or as comically edgy as its predecessors, but one of the good things about HAIRSPRAY is that it never intends to be. It fully embraces the cheesy, over-the-top aspect of a movie musical from frame one, a trait that most other current films of its type try to avoid. In a welcome change from the summer drudgery of explosions and CGI, this film is a pure feel-good crowd pleaser where excitement and energy rise above all.

Everyone in the cast gives able performances; even Travolta who, in drag and a fat suit, seems at first off-putting, beginning a one-joke "hey I'm a man in a dress!" performance, quickly grows into his own as Edna does, becoming the most crowd-pleasing character by the film's end. It's a pleasure to see a former GREASE-r returning to what made him famous, but Travolta proves surprisingly agile in the comedy department, especially during his song and dance numbers.

The real enjoyment here, however, and the truly great performances are given by the younger members of the cast. Every single teenager in the film, from the leads to the chorus boy in the back of the room are injected with an unshakable, undeniable energy that reaches through the screen and captivates the viewer. This rings true especially for the film's two major finds: newcomers Nikki Blonsky and Elijah Kelly. Both of them have that instant star quality, a charisma and charm that make them instantly likable. Kelly displays simply astounding singing and dancing skills, while Blonsky easily carries the entire film of her shoulders, becoming the heart and soul of the movie with one hip thrust.

HAIRSPRAY has nothing much to offer besides two hours of entertainment and escapism, but it offers it in spades. It is a pure joy to watch from beginning to end and a welcome change of pace from the big-budget action film that surround its release. Yes, it's a musical and yes, it's over-the-top, but the audience is sold on that point from the first moment Tracy opens her mouth and the audience cannot help but be sucked in.

Waterish Fun

[marcosaguado · 8/10 · 21 July 2007]

Not that I'm surprised that I liked it but yes that I liked it as much as I did. Keeping some of the lovely John Water garishness but mainstreaming it enough to make it mainstream. John Travolta in the Divine part is truly divine. He went for it and played it for real. I thought it was actually moving at times and the illusion works, beautifully. Michelle Pfeiffer opening a new chapter in her career, the thin as a rail, gorgeous, middle age bitch. Great fun to watch. Christopher Walken, adorable. I had hoped a bigger splash of a dance number between Travolta and Walken - after all they were playing husband and wife in a musical and when are we going to see that again. Their moments together are, how can I put it? Nice, very nice. Nikki Blonsky inherits Riki Lake's oversize heroine with gusto and lots of energy. Allison Jenney, as usual, steals every moment she's in. Alas, far too few, and John Waters plays a quick cameo as a Baltimore flasher. What else do you want out of life.

Viciously satirical, deeply irreverent and wonderfully fun!

[A_Roode · 8/10 · 14 July 2007]

Had it not been for a free pass to an advance screening, I must admit that my friends would have had trouble getting me to see 'Hairspray.' I don't mind musicals but 'Hairspray' didn't seem like something I'd enjoy. Not for the first time in my life was I wrong.

'Hairpsray' is about tolerance, integration and acceptance of others. The film uses the racial divide between blacks and whites but the subtext of the film is Heterosexuals and Homosexuals. 'Hairspray' viciously lampoons bigots and reserves specific devastation for Ultra-conservative religious zealots, figures of authority and WASPs. The satire is white hot (Alison Janney steals every scene she is in), the music catchy, the movie's spirit is irreverent.

I had no problems with the cast and their performances. John Travolta isn't bad and when he gets his chances to dance he's great fun. Christopher Walken and Travolta have a song and dance number duet that rates among the best moments of the film and isn't to be missed. Queen Latifah adds some dignity and balance while Michelle Pfeiffer plays a terrific screen villainess. Amanda Bynes has few lines to deliver but gives perfect comic deadpan when she does for excellent comic effect. Keep a sharp eye out for the hilarious John Waters cameo during the opening number.

Of recent major movie musicals, this is easily better than 'The Producers,' (better comedy and music) and last year's 'Dreamgirls' (weaker songs but better pacing and strong beyond the first half). Although it doesn't have the star power or scale, I also prefer it to 'Chicago' -- 'Hairspray' takes itself less seriously and not many movies have me laughing and smiling from start to finish. If you're looking for a little pure counter-culture escapist fun, 'Hairpsray' is your movie.

Spray the Energy

[Chrysanthepop · 25 June 2008]

'Hairspray' is perhaps one of the most spirited energetic musicals of recent time. Right from the beginning till the end, it's all energy. There is not one boring moment. Actually there is no time to be bored. Shankman does the admirable task of directing the film AND choreographing the dances. The film's also a treat to watch. It's very colourful and reminds one of the 60's glamour. The songs are of the foot-tapping and head nodding sort (pretty much any upbeat song of the 60's has this kind of effect on me).

The cast is splendid. The actors do the multiple task of acting, singing and dancing. It's quite obvious that Travolta's Edna is played by a man but his acting isn't bad. He manages to emote well and his dance number with Christopher Walken is hilarious. He does get into the skin of the character if not entirely the gender. Walken excellently plays the loving kind-hearted, slightly naive, father. Here one will see a different Christopher Walken. This is Michelle Pfeiffer's second negative role this year (the other being her character in 'Stardust'). The role was originally played by the famous Deborah Harry and it's noticeable how they eerily look alike. Pfeiffer both looks and acts the part of a skinny manipulative obnoxious bitch, making it her own. A lesser actress could have easily messed up the part. James Marsden is spot on as the host of a 60's musical show. He keeps proving his versatility. Amanda Bynes is adorable as the daft and supportive Penny. Allison Janney is a fantastic scene stealer. Jerry Stiller, who played Wilbur in the 1988 version, makes his presence felt with just one scene. It's hard to picture anyone other than the divine Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle. Elijah Kelley dances well and Zac Efron's acting is wooden but his dances are okay. However, the 'Hairspray' rests on newcomer Nikki Blonsky. Not only does she hold her own among a host of incredibly talented actors, she bravely carries the film.

Next to being a wonderfully entertaining film, 'Hairspray' also brings forth some issues such as acceptance, tolerance and integration of people no matter their gender, race or sexuality. This is what the film is essentially about and it is brilliantly interwoven into this musical extravaganza. I wasn't expecting much from the film but right from the opening sequence it absorbed my attention and I was completely into the energy of the film, forgetting everything else around me during its 2 hours. A great experience.

Decent Songs, Pretty Lightweight (So to Speak)

[Hitchcoc · 7/10 · 4 February 2008]

This was a nice little musical that really didn't blaze much of a trail for me. It has some pleasant songs and some fun dancing, and the lead is quite talented. Actually, I though Queen Latifah really stole the show. She was the real talent in this movie. I thought it moved OK. I especially like where a simple swat with a protest sign turned into a brain bashing through the media. The problem is that it tries to be more than it is. The social issues are serious but they seem to be dealt with so delicately here that they lose their punch. I was never able to accept Travolta in that role. Every time he was in a scene, I couldn't keep my suspension of disbelief. I kept thinking, "It's John Travolta in a fat suit." And I like John Travolta. Anywyay, I don't want to dis it too much because it has a good heart. It's just, for me, it bites off way more than it can chew.

Excellent Musical, Travolta almost kills it.

[glmays · 6/10 · 21 November 2007]

First, I love musicals, and I enjoy John Water's more "mainstream" movies (Hairspray, Pecker, Cry Baby). I loved nearly everything about Adam Shankman's re-imagining of the original film, except for a few things. First, Nikki Blonski, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes, Christopher Walken, and Elijah Kelley are all absolutely stunning, great voices and great acting. John Travolta and Michelle Pfeiffer are terrible. John Travolta's voice waivers between a Midwestern accent to his normal, JT voice, to some other weird accent throughout the movie. After the cuteness of Travolta being a woman wears off, you realize that his acting is quite bad...Pfeiffer too.

So the movie and music are excellent, songs are top-shelf, Travolta almost kills it all with his confused, poorly-acted character.

The Ultimate Feel Good Film!

[klme · 10/10 · 16 July 2007]

I just saw Hairspray the movie at the 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle--the same theater where Hairspray the musical premiered five years ago. It could be that I am just dizzied by the dashing good looks of Zac Efron, but the magic that was produced on stage by the original Hairspray cast has transfered flawlessly to the big screen.

I couldn't have asked for more. Nikki Blonsky premiered beautifully as the spunky and voluptuous Tracy Turnblad. John Travolta delivered. Christopher Walken was charming and hilarious. Queen Latifah was "big, black, and beautiful." Michelle Pfeiffer--perfectly obnoxious...the list goes on.

The candy colored costumes and thrilling choreography were so enjoyable, and even the more serious parts of the film (though there are very few!) were touching and sincere.

The only thing I wished had been included was the song "Mama I'm a Big Girl Now." While it would have been a great addition, other big song and dance numbers carried the film along just fine.

I caught myself smiling like a buffoon more than once. A must see for musical lovers--or anyone who just likes to have a good time.

Cute fun colorful musical

[davispittman · 7/10 · 30 March 2017]

This more modern film adaptation of the classic musical hairspray is a very family-friendly fun and colorful movie. The cast is all great, including Michelle Pfeiffer Queen Latifah, Christopher Walken, Zac Efron, Brittany Snow, and John Travolta. Every one of them has a great singing voice and handles all the scenes with great skill, there dancing and choreography is all on point. I just have to point out John Travolta in particular. Some people might think that John Travolta dressed in drag in a movie might be strange, but oh it worked so very well, he was so fun and nailed tech character, very much deserved that Golden Globe nomination. I also adored to Michelle Pfeiffer in the prejudice, cheating villainous role. Of course you have to know that the singing in a movie like this is going to be spot on, and they definitely don't disappoint in that department, I adored all the musical numbers whether they were fast and fun or more slow and sentimental. The writing is pretty good, not the best I've ever seen for a musical, but it will keep your attention and you won't be checking your watch to see if it's almost finished. No it won't challenge your mind and it won't leave you questioning, but for what it is it's a fun upbeat musical. 7/10 for Hairspray.

My guilty pleasure

[BellaMyEmily · 10/10 · 8 June 2021]

This movie is one to pick up whenever feeling down and low. It's cheesy, yes, but the best musicals are! I love the songs, the characters, John Travolta as the mother and the beautiful message of inclusiveness and acceptance of each other. Don't you just wish that you lived in the 60s Baltimore when watching this movie?

Flawed but fun-- and how does Tracy keep those pounds on?

[AnnieLola · 7/10 · 10 December 2019]

I expect that everything has already been said about this picture, and it does have its flaws, but it's still a good ride. Probably someone else has commented on Tracy's diet-- I can't recall ever seeing her eat! At the Hefty Hideaway she's handed a big plate of doughnuts, but she's not interested. She goes out of the house with an apple and even that is neglected. She's hyperkinetic, always on the go, running dancing, bouncing-- even if she's eating, how the heck could she keep any extra weight on? Well, of course it's all off-camera. It's just a movie!

Extra Mayo, Please

[gftbiloxi · 1/10 · 3 February 2008]

As originally created by John Waters in 1988, HAIRSPRAY was the tale of an overweight 1960s teenager who successfully crashes a small time T.V. dance program--only to find herself in the midst of a battle between segregationists and integrationists. In 2002 it was transformed into a Broadway musical which in turn became this big screen musical in 2007. But where the 1988 film was hilariously subversive, the 2007 film is akin to watching re-runs of The Lawrence Welk Show while snacking on white bread and mayonnaise.

A big part of the problem here is the screenplay by Leslie Dixon, best known for such "goody-goody gumdrops" films as PAY IT FORWARD, and who seems to have been hired primarily to remove absolutely everything from the original that made the story interesting in the first place. If there was anything anywhere that had an edge, Dixon blunted it and producer-director-choreographer Adam Shankman, a mediocre talent if ever there was one, did the rest.

The absolute best thing that can be said about the 2007 HAIRSPRAY is that has a fairly consistent energy level, largely thanks to Nikki Blonsky as the teenage Tracy Turblad. The rest of the cast, however, is really more miss than hit. Both Christopher Walken and Queen Latifah manage to find a few moments, but the rest of the players range from dire to horrendous. Michelle Pfeiffer once more goes out of her way to demonstrate why she should never be cast in a musical and John Travolta resembles nothing so much as a giant 'possum in a big wig and an unattractive dress. Given that the producer, director, and writer have worked so hard to remove the original film's "camp" factor, one has to wonder why they bothered to continued the tradition of casting the role of Mrs. Turnblad with a male actor anyway! All of this might be overlooked and even forgiven if the musical numbers were knock-outs. Unfortunately, the songs and dances are merely adequate and nothing more. You aren't going to ohhhh and ahhhhh over the dance numbers and you aren't going to walk away from the film humming the melodies. It's not that they are bad--they just aren't memorable or impressive in any way. When all is said and done, the musical version of HAIRSPRAY is a movie for people who thought somebody should have toned down HIGHSCHOOL MUSICAL.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

Fantastic!

[scmovieguy · 9/10 · 26 June 2007]

As a fan of the stage musical, I was worried that the film might not measure up - but they hit this one out of the ballpark! Bright, bouncy and joyously hilarious! A big smile hit my face as soon as it started and I didn't stop grinning until the end of the credits.

I haven't heard a press screening audience applaud after musical numbers since "Chicago" - and they cheered! The huge cast is uniformly terrific. Travolta, Pfeiffer and Walken are a hoot and Nikki Blonsky couldn't be more perfect.

The performances, script, lyrics, sight gags and costumes wage an all-out assault on your funny bone. Even the set dressing gets laughs!

This is the movie musical that Grease, Rent and Dreamgirls should have been.

Bravo!

Too simple and too direct

[TaylorYee94 · 6/10 · 1 February 2021]

Dull script and mindless way of delivering the message. 'Hairspray' fails to meet my expectation which was raised high after realizing the cast of the movie. Good acting but bad directing and script. What a waste of extraordinary actors. Because the story is too simple without any dynamic unfold or build-up, the whole movie feels elongated and dragged. This affects musical scenes as well. It gives me the impression that those scenes are added to fill in the blank of the story development. Great musical movies always have a solid storyline first, and music enriches, symbolizes, and decorates it. The ending, especially, is abrupt, naive, and idealistic. Race issue should be dealt with delicacy, but some scenes and set-ups regarding the issues are inappropriate. For example, Tracy misses the class, and the teacher makes her go to 'detention', and that's where she meets black students. I understand there has to be a separate setting to symbolize segregation, but when that setting becomes 'detention room' after teacher's punishment, it becomes the matter of inferiority or personal flaw for breaking the rules. Also, when black students dance, the camera magnifies the body parts and focuses on sensuality of the dance. Can the director just focus on differences rather than making judgements? This movie talks about justice and equality but with very white person's point of view.

a major let down

[alan3_p · 4/10 · 31 July 2007]

I have to buck the trend here...it seems the world is full of Hairpray fans...but I am not one of them. I loved the 1988 version because it was camp and over the top, and deliciously subversive...but the latest offering is a diluted, lifeless affair that tries to hard to be the next Grease; has songs with little or no singalong quality; is vaguely offensive in its handling of serious issues, and basically offers the audience nothing new. I can remember when Grease came out how everyone rushed out to have the soundtrack - you were something of a social outcast at school if you did not own the album. Will the same sort of buzz be generated by the latest soundtrack to Hairspray? I very much doubt it. The songs are noisy, cluttered, unoriginal and ...stale. I wanted so much to like this film...I really did...but left the cinema thinking I had wasted my time and money. Divine was loud and brash, camp and offensive - Travolta's performance is too coy and restrained to make his character as appealing or memorable. I kept watching to see if he and Chris walken would kiss, but, like the rest of this diluted movie, it appears nobody had to the balls to eat up their roles with relish or conviction ... there is loads of scope to go completely over the top, yet every character comes across as being too scared to be larger than life...as if they tried to make the most inoffensive movie they could..and succeeded. I much preferred the brashy, trashy '88 version.

Final Net anyone?

[jotix100 · 2 June 2008]

"Hairspray", the outrageous John Waters 1988 film, was made into a musical for the Broadway stage. It was a huge success that doesn't show any signs of disappearing. The Broadway version, rather than the original film, is recreated for the present remake. Where the original film was irreverent and campy, this one is quite different in tone. Thanks to its director/choreographer, Adam Shankman, the new remake plays and feels like a musical should.

Part of the success of the present "Hairspray" is the great characterization by John Travolta, who as Edna Turnblad is sensational. He is never obnoxious, which is to his credit not to have shortchanged his Edna with superfluous mannerisms. We realize Edna is played by a man, but sometimes it is difficult to separate both, the actor and the character. This is a triumph for Mr. Travolta, an man that always delivers.

The other surprise was Michelle Pfeiffer who appears as the mean spirited Velma Von Tussle. Ms. Pfeiffer has never been so much fun to watch as the horrid woman who doesn't seem to realize her daughter has no talent, but wants to impose her at all costs. This is one of the best moments of this actress on film.

As Tracy, the newcomer Nikki Blonski is perfect for the part. She dances up a storm. She has a sweet face that endears herself to the audience from the start in her "Good Morning Baltimore". She shows an energy that is hard to match. Also incredible is Queen Latifah, a welcome presence in any film. As Motormouth Maybelle, she does a wonderful job. James Marsden who is seen as the Dick Clark prototype and Zac Efron, a promising new star, are perfect for their parts. Jerry Stiller, the only surviving member of the original film shows up. Allison Janney has a couple of good moments too.

This is a fun film to watch and it's highly recommended for the excellent dancing created by Adam Shankman.

Fun Joyful with a Message

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 13 April 2014]

Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) is a Baltimore teen who runs home everyday with her best friend Penny Pingleton (Amanda Bynes) to watch the Corny Collins show (James Marsden). She wants nothing more than to be on the show. Her mother Edna (John Travolta) is afraid of being ridiculed but her father Wilbur (Christopher Walken) supports her all the way. She gets put in detention with the negroes and Link Larkin (Zac Efron) sees her dancing with them. She gets selected onto the show to the chagrin of lead dancer Amber Von Tussle (Brittany Snow) and mother station manger Velma Von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer). They loath to see Tracy win Miss Teenage Hairspray, and her push to integrate the show. When Velma cancels Negro Day where blacks are allowed to dance on TV for one day a week, Tracy and Penny and many from the black community start a protest to integrate the show.

This movie is chalk full of charming joyful fun. It starts with the adorably happy Blonsky. All the songs have that happy upbeat sound. It's wall to wall singing and dancing with a good dollop of racial equality message and acceptance. However it is missing that one popular radio hit to put it over the top. Nevertheless it is still a toe tapping good times.

Leave your brains at the door, just enjoy it

[Damonfordham · 7/10 · 23 July 2007]

Okay, just saw this on a Saturday night date. I saw the original. The lady friend had seen the original movie and the play. We both agreed that this was a likable bit of over the top corn.

There are some benefits to this one. One the whole, I liked the 1988 film better, but I think that Nikki Blonsky even improves on Rikki Lake as Tracy Turnblad. Nikki has just the right bit of upbeat, youthful enthusiasm and undefeatable spirit required for this character (Good Morning Baltimore, anyone? The scene of her singing this song at the top of her lungs while riding a trash truck on the way to school is unforgettably hilarious).

Queen Latifah is also a better Motormouth Mabel than Ruth Brown was in the original (Miss Brown was a great singer, but not much of an actress). Speaking of which, we all know that the (accurately titled) "Corny Collins Show" was based on the real "Buddy Deane Show" which was the American Bandstand of Baltimore. Conversely, Motormouth Mabel appears to be based on Paul "Fat Daddy" Johnson, a Black Baltimore DJ who appeared on the real "Negro Day" on the Deane show.

Now back to the film. For the most part, the crazy, over the top humor that made Hairspray I so successful is just crazy and over the top without as much of the humor in this one. John Travola as Edna is just plain silly, but the actor who plays "her" husband has the right amount of goofy charm to pull it off. The "Negro Day" scene is straight out of "Mad TV." Some might resent the "ghetto as a playground" idea of the film and the civil rights march scene falls flat in its attempt to be meaningful and serious, but it's heart is in the right place and Latifah works it for what she can.

The actress who plays the spoiled blonde whose mother strangles the show for what she can get seems to eerily forecast Paris Hilton.

The songs have just the right amount of cheeky goof appeal and satire of the teen dance shows of the sixties, so they work quite well.

In short, it's not a bad film, just remember to leave your brains at the door and don't take it too seriously.

New Musical HAIRSPRAY is Fab, Full-Figured Fun!

[dtb · 10/10 · 23 July 2007]

My family and I saw the movie version of the Broadway musical adaptation of John Waters' 1988 comedy HAIRSPRAY on its opening weekend. It's unanimous: this HAIRSPRAY is a big, bright, joyful 1960s song-and-dance extravaganza, and we all urge you to run out and see it right this minute! Go ahead, I'll wait right here... :-) My little girl loves music and dancing, but she still tends to like animated films better than live-action films, so when she got into HAIRSPRAY from the start, dancing joyfully in her seat to the Phil Spector-style opening number, "Good Morning, Baltimore," I knew this movie was truly something special. Lest you think this HAIRSPRAY has forgotten its roots, the opening number also features Waters in a hilarious cameo as a flasher. Also, watch for Ricki Lake, the original HAIRSPRAY's original Tracy, as a talent agent in the climactic "Miss Hairspray" sequence, as well as Jerry Stiller, Tracy's dad in the original, playing The Hefty Hideaway's head honcho. HAIRSPRAY is the kind of movie musical that GREASE should have been back in the 1970s (yes, it was a huge box-office hit, but I always thought it had a cold, calculating air to it, plus it was so obvious that the teenage characters were being played by stars pushing 30), making it all the more appropriate that John Travolta should carry on the Divine tradition of a man playing mama Edna Turnblad in drag, without *being* a drag. Travolta is great fun to watch, a delightful surprise with his sensitive performance (even if his Baltimore accent is a little off — but maybe that's just because Baltimore is played by Toronto :-)) as insecure caterpillar-turned-butterfly Edna; this is no cheap, brassy drag-queen turn. The very convincing fat F/X makeup and prosthetics (Edna may be overweight, but she's got womanly curves in all the right places) don't get in the way of fleet-footed Travolta's fabulous dancing. Adorable newcomer Nikki Blonsky lights up the screen in all her scenes as Tracy Turnblad, the perky dynamo who won't let her plus-size body or the sneers of Amber Von Tussle (Brittany Snow) and the other so-called cool kids keep her from dancing her way onto Baltimore's American BANDSTAND manque, THE CORNY COLLINS SHOW. Tracy and her shy bud Penny Pingleton (Amanda Bynes) become socially aware as they befriend the black kids from the "wrong" side of town, fighting against bigoted station manager and stage mother Velma Von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer, having a blast slinking around making trouble) to integrate the show instead of relegating their new friends to the program's monthly "Negro Day." The plot's serious aspects, with its foreshadowing of the era's more sobering issues, are woven deftly into the movie's high spirits. The jubilant dance numbers, Marc Shaiman's catchy music and Scott Wittman's snappy lyrics are performed with bubbly abandon by each and every cast member. As the Dick Clark-ish Corny Collins, James Marsden proves that Hugh Jackman isn't the only X-Man with range and musical talent. I've never watched HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, but it's easy to see why Zac Efron, winning Tracy's heart as Link Larkin, has won audiences' hearts, too. Efron is alluring enough to make teenage girls squeal while coming across as wholesome enough not to panic parents, plus he doesn't seem to take himself too seriously. Indeed, there were Zac Efron fans in our theater who shrieked and giggled with joy every time he appeared on screen! Christopher Walken reminds us that before he was an eccentric Oscar-winning character actor, he was a hell of a dancer. As Tracy's supportive joke-shop proprietor dad, Walken has winsome chemistry with Travolta in their duet, "You're Timeless to Me." (You haven't lived until you've seen Walken and Travolta make like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers!) The funny, endearing Bynes is better served here than she's been in her previous movies; maybe she should seek out more ensemble pieces like this one. Bynes also has terrific chemistry with Elijah Kelley as Seaweed, who combines Denzel Washington's playful side with James Brown's moves; I'd love to see Kelley get even bigger and better roles. As Seaweed's mom, Motormouth Maybelle, Queen Latifah is saintly yet sassy, gliding effortlessly between belting out "Big, Blonde, and Beautiful" and bringing tears to my eyes with her soulful ballad "I Know Where I've Been" during the protest march. BTW, Bynes isn't the only Nickelodeon alumnus in HAIRSPRAY; director and choreographer Adam Shankman also choreographed ROUNDHOUSE, one of our favorite Nick shows from the early 1990s. Leslie Dixon adapted Waters' original screenplay, keeping the sly, subversive elements while also keeping things bouncy and upbeat. HAIRSPRAY is a great big sunny summer movie that'll put a smile on your face, a song on your lips, and a shimmy in your shake!

A fun, bright, if a little too optimistic romp through the early '60s and a truly great stage-to-screen adaptation.

[bypeterfenton · 7/10 · 9 January 2022]

Hairspray (2007) is an infectiously fun movie musical that knows exactly what it is and does exactly what it does very well. I'm so sick of movie musicals that are ashamed to be fantasy worlds where anyone can burst into song, so revisiting this one was a breath of fresh air. Great decisions were made in the move from Broadway to Hollywood, you would almost never know that Hairspray was originally a stage show. In a post-George Floyd world, however, I do struggle a bit with the way in which its pretty simple racial reconciliation plot is presented. It certainly sits oddly with me now, especially given how lighthearted the film is overall. I'm honestly stunned that Nikki Blonsky hasn't become a household name... her Tracy Turnblad was flawless and fun. Queen Latifah, John Travolta, and Zac Efron gave especially great performances as well. All told, Adam Shankman's Hairspray is a fun, bright, if a little too optimistic romp through the early '60s and a truly great stage-to-screen adaptation.

Brings Joy to Summer....

[wkup · 10/10 · 22 June 2007]

So far I've seen this movie twice and both times the audience was involved 100%. "Hairspray: The Musical" is the definition of a feel good movie.

The storyline has been tweeked a bit from the original film. Whereas the original film had Sonny Bono's Franklin Von Tussle as the main antagonist, this one has Velma Von Tussle (Michelle Phieffer) as the head adversary; now seen as the station manager for the TV station airing The Corny Collins Show. Velma's goal is to ensure that her daughter, Amber stays Miss Hairspray in the face of the rising success of Tracy Turnblad (played wonderfully by Nikki Blonsky).

The musical numbers are fantastic, and while there's less of an emphasis on the dancing which was a big part of the original film, it doesn't detract from the wonder of the musical sequences.

Other differences is the take on the individual characters. Whereas Ricki Lake's Tracy was brash and confident, Blonsky's Tracy is more subdued. John Travolta, as Edna gives the character the sensitivity that wasn't evident in Divine's portrayal.

Although still done in connection with John Waters, it does lack Waters edginess, making an already mainstream Waters film even more mainstream for family audiences. However, the cast and the direction more than makes up for this.

So much fun that all traces of cynicism go away

[SkullScreamerReturns · 7/10 · 17 January 2022]

I'm not a big fan of musicals. It often annoys me if random singing and dancing happens in the middle of the story. But also the utilized style of music has a lot to do whether I like or not.

Hairspray was a delightful experience with it's energetic 60s pop and a great plot. I mean, I liked the fact that in the story there is this fictional music show on tv where many of the dancing scenes take place. With the story centering around music it makes more sense that also the movie is a musical.

The cast is great. You can spot such extraordinary moments like as Christopher Walken singing, and John Travolta playing a female character (and he also performs a song in that character can you believe!) But the absolute highlight is Nikki Blonsky as the lead character. She's charming to no end and has craziest dance moves that stun the characters in the film and myself too.

While not a typical kind of movie I usually watch I must say I really liked it and if I happen to come across a dvd I will pick it up, and watch when in need of an overdose of joy an energy.

Canned Hairspray

[SteveNY · 1/10 · 30 November 2007]

Major Disappointment. I enjoyed the original Hairspray in '88, thought the stage version was forgettable, but this new one...I actually had a hard time sitting through it. First off, the camera work is wooden and the music numbers suffer as a result. Everything just felt so flat and uninspired. And then, John Travolta,...wrong! wrong! wrong! His singing voice was terrible and his Edna could barely move her face, she wasn't a woman, she was a plasticine sack that may as well have been a mannequin. I just kept wondering why there wasn't a "real" drag queen playing the role or a campy guy or even a talented & heavy "real" woman playing Edna (Bette Midler?). And the songs themselves, just noisy, unclever and not something I'll ever want to buy or sing-a-long to. I remember hearing all sorts of hype about this movie when it came out that it had really hit it out of the ballpark, I just want to know how much money the producers spent to generate that kind of phony buzz. Everyone I talked to thought it was terrible. Michelle Pfeiffer can't sing either.

Exuberant and incessantly enjoyable

[pyrocitor · 8/10 · 1 August 2007]

Following a slew of other such stage musicals turned movies, one might expect Hairspray to have simply jumped on the cinematic bandwagon, and have little to offer, save being 'that new movie musical'. However, despite the number of stage musical adaptations of late, the quality of the productions is by no means receding, and if anything, increasing, as Hairspray proves one of the most shamelessly jubilant and infectiously enthusiastic efforts to date.

Unlike many other movie musicals, whose song and dance numbers more often than not seem stiff and forced, Hairspray's crackle with kinetic vitality and genuine life. The choreography is consistently superb, and director Adam Shankman's past experience in the field really shows - the innovative dance moves certainly scream of the sixties. And while the plot may stumble and come across as a bit jerky at times, Shankman keeps the pacing and energy so consistently on overdrive such complaints seem trivial compared to the sheer ballistic exuberance on display. For a film so shamelessly fun as this, the occasional imbalance of plot or lapse of logic seem only natural, and are easily forgivable when there is so much else to appreciate going on.

Apart from the unquestionably impressive song and dance numbers, the film also proves a rousing success in capturing the look and feel of the sixties in a particularly vibrant fashion. From the candy coloured costumes to the massive hairdos, the film gives the impression of immersing the viewer in a Technicolor throwback of forty years. But as well as visually, the film also thrives on interpreting some of the most valid social issues of the decade, including racism, and other such prejudices against the social norm in a particularly cheerful and uplifting way, making Hairspray one of the most morally sound musicals to grace the screen in quite some time. Such an unflinchingly feel good film might be the sort to stir up contempt in some of its more jaded viewers, but Hairspray always seems so brightly genuine that it avoids syrupy cliché, culminating in a satisfyingly touching film.

The universally spectacular ensemble cast each boast both wonderful performances and impressive singing voices, really bringing the film to life with particular flair and style. Newcomer Nikki Blonsky makes for a boisterous and instantly likable lead as the spunky Tracy Turnblad, infusing the film with a quirky charm and energy right from the start. One has to give John Travolta credit for playing his part straight, instead of coasting by on the shock humour generated by seeing the iconic star stuffed into a fat suit and drag, and he succeeds in instilling Edna with a surprisingly touching streak - it's just a shame, given his history, that his singing and dancing are disappointingly not up to par with the rest of the cast.

Genre veteran Christopher Walken proves his effortless talent is not dampened by age, dancing and singing better than most half his age, and carrying the film's most touching scene (with his character professing his love to his wife, Travolta) with ease. Michelle Pfieffer aces her vindictive television producer role to icy perfection, and James Marsden is perfectly cast as cheery game host Corny Collins. Teen heartthrob Zac Efron does what he does best here, without doubt winning new legions of screaming female fans in the process, and Amanda Bynes is a surprisingly strong and endearing presence as Tracy's best friend. Elijah Kelly gives a charming performance as well as proving hands down to be the best dancer in the cast, and Queen Latifa also demonstrates dramatic skill seldom demonstrated before, instilling the film's most serious scene, a solemn protest for integration rights, with quiet dignity. It is a joy to see so many talented actors collaborate to such tremendously enjoyable effect.

Apart from those who generally turn their noses up at the gleeful mayhem of movie musicals, it is difficult to imagine watching Hairspray without a heartfelt smile plastered across one's face. The film is too genuinely wholesome and outright entertaining to generate much contempt, and even though the plot may stumble on occasion, the film whips by at such a steady clip, fueled by universally superb singing and performances by the cast that it is near impossible to avoid being caught up in the infectious enthusiasm of the production. Expect to hear impromptu renditions of many of the songs over the course of the next year or so, and don't be at all surprised to find yourself joining in - it seems only natural for a film as downright enjoyable as this.

-8/10

It could have been brilliant but....

[Horror-Lord · 6/10 · 12 November 2007]

They went and shoved John Travolta in it. That is probably the only gripe I have with this film really, bar some dodgy acting from that High School Musical guy. Why did they have to do it? Anyone but him would have been fantastic! The thing is, Travolta is only good in one role and even then he's not great- the insane lunatic one. For some unfathomable reason, the producers thought that sticking him in a fat suit, planting a wig on his head and making him camp it up like Christmas would make it funny. They were wrong. However, the film itself is actually really good. It is lighthearted and fun which makes for an enjoyable viewing experience. Nikki Blonsky is great as Tracy- although she doesn't have the spark that the original character had and the songs, as camp and pop-like as there are, are actually quite good, especially for a musical- they are far better than the garbage in some recent high school based musicals (not mentioning any names of course) and, overall, this is definitely a film worth getting your hands on for a lazy, possibly lonely, Saturday night in.

This movie sucked from the opening lines to moment I walked out of the movie.

[bstephen48 · 1/10 · 2 September 2007]

What is wrong with you people. This was the absolute worst movie in the history of film. I have never walked out in the middle of a movie in my life. But this movie SUCKED. Every song in the movie, and there were way too many of them, had the same basic tune, and what a moronic plot line. Make fun of blacks and their dancing and fat people. WOW!!!! WHAT A MOVIE PLOT. And what is the purpose of taking great actors like John Travolta, Christoper Walken, Michelle Pfeifer and wasting their time making a movie like this. Everyone of their parts could have been done by any jake leg and it wouldn't have made the movie any worse or any better. Shouldn't they all be doing something of content so that we could enjoy them in a good movie. What a total waste of talent. Absolute stupidity, and none of the lines brought even a smile to my face let alone a chuckle or laugh. I couldn't help but wonder what the other people in the audience were thinking when they laughed.