Hairspray is a remake of a Broadway musical with the same name. I think this is safe for kids to watch. It almost has a "
Disney" feel, in my opinion. It is light, happy, and you get that warm, fuzzy feeling at the end of the film, hehehe. I've listened to the soundtrack of the original production and this 2007 production and I think the original rendition was much better, but this version is not bad at all.
The Actors- Amanda Bynes as Penny Pingleton - is the best friend of Tracy Turnblad. She is naive and very sheltered. She falls in love with a black teenager and starts to rebel against her domineering, bible-toting mother. Acting-wise, this wasn't much of a challenge for Amanda as she has portrayed similar roles over the years.]
- Brittany Snow as Amber Von Tussle - I have to admit, I don't really know her. I think I saw her in The Pacifier, not sure. She kinda reminds me of the Olsen Twins.
- Christopher Walken as Wilbur Turnblad - is a simple joke shop owner. In this film he gets to put on the dancing shoes once more. His dance partner is just as (or even more so) graceful but maybe not as svelte as his last partner. His character is married to Edna Turnblad, portrayed by John Travolta.
- James Marsden as Corny Collins - is the host of the Corny Collins show, the show that all the kids watch and want to be in. I wonder if James did his own singing? If he did then I think he should do more of it. He has a very good singing voice. I guess seeing him as Cyclops kind of narrowed what I thought he could do.
- John Travolta as Edna Turnblad - this was unexpected. When I first heard that John Travolta was going to be in the cast as a female character I thought it was a joke. Well, if it was a joke, then it was a joke that worked! In this film he is a housewife and laundrywoman married to Christopher Walken (Wilbur Turnblad), a joke shop owner. Edna is overweight and insecure. She has not left the safety of her home in so many years and feels insecure about her size and that of her daughter Tracy.
- Michelle Pfeiffer as Velma Von Tussle - the role of "evilina" really suited Michelle. And I was surprised to hear her sing. Granted the song wasn't very challenging but still, Michelle, singing! hehehe. Plus ... she is still so hot! The 60's 'do suits her well.
- Nikki Blonsky as Tracy Turnblad - from what I gather, Nikki is a newbie in the industry but that doesn't stop her from shining in this fabulous musical. Her character shows us that it doesn't matter what you look like or where you are from. You can live your dream if you want it bad enough and if you do whatever you can to get it. Of course, it helps to have the talent, and this lady really can groove!
- Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle - I love this woman! I think she is simply fabulous! She is proof that you don't have to be thin as a reed to be beautiful.
- Zac Efron as Link Larkin - we all remember him from High School Musical. His acting here is nowhere near the way he was in the previous film. Although he also plays a teenager, his character seems to be older and more mature. Maybe it's the clothes and the hair. The way he moves is reminiscent of Elvis Presley.
There are parts of this film that kind of remind me of
Grease. I don't know if it is the choreography, the time period, or the fact that John Travolta is in this one, too.
Now, about the title --- Hairspray --- I didn't understand at first why they would choose that title but as the movie progressed I finally got it but ... what I didn't get was why people were so obsessed with hairspray back in the day. I asked my mom about it and she said that Aquanet™ was a necessary part of their grooming kits (for women AND men). Now we know how they were able to manage those fantastic 'dos. Must have been difficult to wash out, though. I'm just glad fashion outgrew that phase, although ... I have to admit, they did look nice.
Click
HERE for the soundtrack of Hairspray.
Click
HERE to watch the trailer.
