Hairspray (Full-Screen Edition)
starring: John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron
directed by: Adam Shankman
directed by: Adam Shankman
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Product Description:
Pleasantly plum teenager tracy turnblad teaches 1962 baltimore a thing or two about integration after landing a spot on a local tv dance show.Studio: New Line Home VideoRelease Date: 11/11/2008Starring: John Travolta Zac EfronRun time: 117 minutesRating: PgDirector: Adam Shankman
Amazon.com:
It's rare that a movie captures the intensity and excitement of a live Broadway musical production while appealing to a broader movie-going audience, but the 2007 Hairspray is an energetic, powerfully moving film that does just that. A remake of the 1988 musical film Hairspray, the new Hairspray is a film adaptation of the 2002 Broadway musical and features more likeable characters than the original film and an incredible energy that stems from a great cast, fabulous new music, and the influence of musical producer Craig Zadan. What remains constant throughout all three versions of Hairspray is the story's thought-provoking exploration of prejudice and racism. Set in Baltimore in 1962, the film opens with chubby girl Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) singing her heart out in a rendition of "Good Morning Baltimore" that, while admittedly a bit too long, sets the farcical tone for the film. Viewers quickly become immersed in Tracy's teenage world of popular television dance shows, big hair, the stigma of being different, and the first hesitant steps toward racial integration within a segregated world. The Corny Collins (James Marsden) television dance show is a teenage obsession in Tracy's world and Link Larkin (Zac Efron) is every girl's dream partner, so when a call for auditions goes out, Tracy skips school to try out, but is rejected by station manager Velma von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer) because of her large size and the threat of competition for Velma's own daughter Amber (Brittany Snow). Perseverance and the support of her friend Penny (Amanda Bynes), father Wilbur (Christopher Walken), and negro dancer Seaweed (Elijah Kelley) lead Tracy to the spotlight and the chance of a lifetime, but more and more Tracy discovers that fairness and equality for those who are different does not come without a fight and that sacrifices must be made to effect change. While the message is serious, Hairspray is first and foremost a comedy with stellar performances by John Travolta as Edna Turnblad (who ever imagined Saturday Night Fever's iconic star would appear onscreen as a woman?), Christopher Walken, and Michelle Pfeiffer. Part of what makes Hairspray so powerful is the exceptional music composed by Marc Shaiman, including songs newly composed for the movie like "Ladies' Choice," "The New Girl in Town," and "Come So Far," and the awesome vocal talents of Queen Latifah (Motormouth Maybelle) and a cast of heretofore musically-unknown actors like Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron, and Brittany Snow who really can sing. Notable trivia includes Jerry Stiller's appearance in both versions of the film (as Wilbur in the 1988 film and as Mr. Pinky in this 2007 rendition), and a cameo appearance by 1988 director and screenplay writer John Waters. Hairspray is one of the best films of the year--it's powerfully moving entertainment that leaves you energized and motivated to fight for what you believe in. --Tami Horiuchi
Pleasantly plum teenager tracy turnblad teaches 1962 baltimore a thing or two about integration after landing a spot on a local tv dance show.Studio: New Line Home VideoRelease Date: 11/11/2008Starring: John Travolta Zac EfronRun time: 117 minutesRating: PgDirector: Adam Shankman
Amazon.com:
It's rare that a movie captures the intensity and excitement of a live Broadway musical production while appealing to a broader movie-going audience, but the 2007 Hairspray is an energetic, powerfully moving film that does just that. A remake of the 1988 musical film Hairspray, the new Hairspray is a film adaptation of the 2002 Broadway musical and features more likeable characters than the original film and an incredible energy that stems from a great cast, fabulous new music, and the influence of musical producer Craig Zadan. What remains constant throughout all three versions of Hairspray is the story's thought-provoking exploration of prejudice and racism. Set in Baltimore in 1962, the film opens with chubby girl Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) singing her heart out in a rendition of "Good Morning Baltimore" that, while admittedly a bit too long, sets the farcical tone for the film. Viewers quickly become immersed in Tracy's teenage world of popular television dance shows, big hair, the stigma of being different, and the first hesitant steps toward racial integration within a segregated world. The Corny Collins (James Marsden) television dance show is a teenage obsession in Tracy's world and Link Larkin (Zac Efron) is every girl's dream partner, so when a call for auditions goes out, Tracy skips school to try out, but is rejected by station manager Velma von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer) because of her large size and the threat of competition for Velma's own daughter Amber (Brittany Snow). Perseverance and the support of her friend Penny (Amanda Bynes), father Wilbur (Christopher Walken), and negro dancer Seaweed (Elijah Kelley) lead Tracy to the spotlight and the chance of a lifetime, but more and more Tracy discovers that fairness and equality for those who are different does not come without a fight and that sacrifices must be made to effect change. While the message is serious, Hairspray is first and foremost a comedy with stellar performances by John Travolta as Edna Turnblad (who ever imagined Saturday Night Fever's iconic star would appear onscreen as a woman?), Christopher Walken, and Michelle Pfeiffer. Part of what makes Hairspray so powerful is the exceptional music composed by Marc Shaiman, including songs newly composed for the movie like "Ladies' Choice," "The New Girl in Town," and "Come So Far," and the awesome vocal talents of Queen Latifah (Motormouth Maybelle) and a cast of heretofore musically-unknown actors like Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron, and Brittany Snow who really can sing. Notable trivia includes Jerry Stiller's appearance in both versions of the film (as Wilbur in the 1988 film and as Mr. Pinky in this 2007 rendition), and a cameo appearance by 1988 director and screenplay writer John Waters. Hairspray is one of the best films of the year--it's powerfully moving entertainment that leaves you energized and motivated to fight for what you believe in. --Tami Horiuchi
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Exhuberant fun!
This was truly a great movie, one of my only full Four Star ratings so far! Exuberant and totally non-cynical, it was a blast to watch! Never saw the original movie, but I did see the play. This is even better, with a great leading lady in Nikki Blonsky - her first movie role, she just steals every scene she's in. Reminds me of Jennifer Hudson in 'Dreamgirls', but this is an even better movie. Even John Travolta in drag works well.
Rating: - Star-studded cast makes great remake
This remake of Hairspray utilizes the full talents of the star-studded cast. It was funny and upbeat, with a great soundtrack and fun choreography. It truly gets the audience emotionally involved in the story of a plus-sized girl with unpopular opinions fighting for what's right. Even Zac Efron is bearable in this film!
Rating: - Fun, good cast
I enjoyed this but after reading some of the reviews I think I'd better check out the original John Waters film---I might like that better.Having not seen that nor the stage version I had nothing to compare this with so I just took it as it came, and I liked it.The cast was surprisingly good.Christopher Walken is always very watchable; here is he cast as a relatively weak man and that's sometimes hard to do and still have it be interesting.His dance duet with Travolta as Edna on the back ... Read More
Rating: 
- Mashed Potato...
As a fan of the original film I wasn't sure what to expect from this one.Though not as edgy as the first this rendition didn't shy away from the content or occasional seedy remark, either.I tend to wear thin as musicals but the director did a great job balancing dialogue with dance numbers.All in all a pretty fun flick considering one moment it makes fun of Americana then attempts to make philosophical statements the next.
Rating: - A BAILAR TODOS!!!
Una excelente pelicula que nos deja ver lo que era el mundo antes de la "era beatle", cuando el Rock`n'roll estaba apenas en sus primeros años y la juventud era mas conservadora; pero ya en la pelicula misma se ve el comienzo de lo que seria el romper esquemas, convencionalismos sociales, racismo y otros prejuicios que predominaban en la sociedad de los 50's; y la rebelion comienza con esa simpatica chica regordeta que simplemente es "diferente" a todos los estandares de belleza y talento de la ... Read More
- Exhuberant fun!This was truly a great movie, one of my only full Four Star ratings so far! Exuberant and totally non-cynical, it was a blast to watch! Never saw the original movie, but I did see the play. This is even better, with a great leading lady in Nikki Blonsky - her first movie role, she just steals every scene she's in. Reminds me of Jennifer Hudson in 'Dreamgirls', but this is an even better movie. Even John Travolta in drag works well.
- Star-studded cast makes great remakeThis remake of Hairspray utilizes the full talents of the star-studded cast. It was funny and upbeat, with a great soundtrack and fun choreography. It truly gets the audience emotionally involved in the story of a plus-sized girl with unpopular opinions fighting for what's right. Even Zac Efron is bearable in this film!
- Fun, good castI enjoyed this but after reading some of the reviews I think I'd better check out the original John Waters film---I might like that better.Having not seen that nor the stage version I had nothing to compare this with so I just took it as it came, and I liked it.The cast was surprisingly good.Christopher Walken is always very watchable; here is he cast as a relatively weak man and that's sometimes hard to do and still have it be interesting.His dance duet with Travolta as Edna on the back ... Read More
- Mashed Potato...As a fan of the original film I wasn't sure what to expect from this one.Though not as edgy as the first this rendition didn't shy away from the content or occasional seedy remark, either.I tend to wear thin as musicals but the director did a great job balancing dialogue with dance numbers.All in all a pretty fun flick considering one moment it makes fun of Americana then attempts to make philosophical statements the next.
- A BAILAR TODOS!!!Una excelente pelicula que nos deja ver lo que era el mundo antes de la "era beatle", cuando el Rock`n'roll estaba apenas en sus primeros años y la juventud era mas conservadora; pero ya en la pelicula misma se ve el comienzo de lo que seria el romper esquemas, convencionalismos sociales, racismo y otros prejuicios que predominaban en la sociedad de los 50's; y la rebelion comienza con esa simpatica chica regordeta que simplemente es "diferente" a todos los estandares de belleza y talento de la ... Read More
