Hairspray

Hairspray is fun from the moment you start watching it, and it never slows down. Everything from the songs to the stars to the story is just fun.

A plump high school girl, Tracy, dreams of making it on an after school dance show that is similar in style to American Bandstand. It's back in the early 60s, and things haven't been made very racially diverse just yet in Baltimore. They go as far as to have a day every month that's designated "Negro Day," and Tracy and the other like-minded individuals decide that discrimination, whether it's towards overweight or people or those with darker skin, is just wrong, and they set out to change it.

Of all the fun things in the movie, the most fun to me is John Travolta. He takes over the role that was played by Divine and Harvey Feirstein in the original movie and play. Even though the movie is traditionally played by someone in drag, this is just hysterical to see Travolta this way. I give him a lot of credit for being a leading man, yet willing to chuck it all to appear as an older, overweight woman. It all plays a part in him being so entertaining in this role.

Hairspray is a super cute, super happy movie. The singing and dancing is incredible. John Travolta does a surprisingly great job in this as our heavy heroine’s mother. I thought he was very funny and actually pretty believable! Michele Pfeiffer is a wonderful villain and I can’t believe how great she looks for her age, what a hottie! I’m not a movie musical lover. It’s just not the same as it is live. I’m more interested in the story than the singing and dancing and although the numbers were great I wish they could have been a little bit shorter, but that’s just me. There are a lot of funny one-liners and a fantastic ensemble cast. This is a great family movie, with a good message. I can’t wait to see the live version!

This movie was really, really cute. Having seen the stage play a few times, I definitely appreciated the film adaptation a little more than many people might have. But I did find it a little odd that it was originally a movie, made into a musical and then made back into a movie....quite a little bizarre. However, the cast does a stellar job with this uproariously lively and cheesy musical that has two great messages: body acceptance and acceptance of others who are different. This is great, fun entertainment for the entire family. You'll appreciate the performances from the All-Star cast and your kids will enjoy bopping along to the energetic soundtrack!

Hairspray is, in one word, unique. Most of the music is pretty good, and the songs fit well enough with the story that only a few of them are outrageously corny. Also, the cast is very strong and the acting is good. The costumes are exciting and fit the mood and themes of the movie.

What I did not like about Hairspray was... John Travolta. He plays Tracy's mother, and wears a dress, a wig, and makeup the entire time. He sings and dances as a woman, and has a romantic scene with Tracy's father, Christopher Walken. To me, this was incredibly disturbing, very distracting, and just plain ugly. I think it was a ridiculous casting decision- to hire Danny from Grease to play an overweight and overprotective housewife. All I could think about the entire movie was, "That's a man!" But maybe that's just me.