At a Glance

In movie land there’s always room for a good musical and this time it’s the all singing and all dancing ‘Hairspray’ that’s being given the spotlight. Nikki Blonsky and John Travolta head up an all star cast in this faithful and oh so cheerful (and amazingly colourful) movie adaptation of the successful John Waters classic.

Detailed Information

Hairspray
By Cory Peynado, Blockbuster.co.uk

“Uh, I'm sorry... you think that she can dance? Well, maybe you'd rather have her as your partner. You could get sponsored by Goodyear!”

In movie land there’s always room for a good musical and this time it’s the all singing and all dancing ‘Hairspray’ that’s being given the spotlight. Nikki Blonsky and John Travolta head up an all star cast in this faithful and oh so cheerful (and amazingly colourful) movie adaptation of the successful John Waters classic.

I’ve never been a big fan of the musical/movie myself, not for lack of quality but merely because they are so different to what I am used to. I mean it was different when I was growing up; back then I was happy for Bugsy Malone to burst into song every fifteen minutes or for sweet little Annie to tell me about her hard knock life… but I really didn’t think I would ever get that interested or that invested in a musical again. That is until I stumbled across a marvellous little gem called Hairspray.

Adam Shankman's new adaptation of the musical is a true feel-good movie in the first degree. Unknown actress Nikki Blonsky owns the screen in the portrayal of the lovable character Tracy Turnblad. Tracy’s biggest dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show and after finally achieving her dream Tracy tries to intergrate the show, much to the objection of TV princess Amber von Tussle (Brittany Snow) and her racist mother, Velma (Michelle Pfeiffer).

Turning the town upside down with her antics, Tracy manages to raise the concern of her own mother, Edna (John Travolta), earn the respect the black population (Queen Latifah, Elijah Kelley), and even tries her luck with the hunk of the town, Link Larkin (Zac Efron). And despite how it might this movie really doesn’t have a controversial bone in its body. It celebrates a triumph of music and fun and soul over adversity and the addictive tunes keep things at a mellow and level-headed place.

I do miss jumping up and down on my bunk bed to these kinds of movies as they are the ones that stay with you the longest. Hairspray was created to be enjoyed by all so don’t feel bad when you catch yourself singing into your comb.

Escapism, yeah that’s the word I’m looking for. This decade has given us Moulin Rouge and Chicago; which then paved the way for Phantom of the Opera, Rent, Dreamgirls, and now Hairspray, and although they might not be to everyones taste these films are simply two hours of escapism. Stories with a more expressive and emotional tone – much like a play or the latest show at the theatre.

The performances of all involved and the fantastic choreography by director Adam Shankman managed to impress me throughout. Hairspray’s catchy melodies and bouncy, energetic dance numbers will have even the most cynical movie watchers breaking into smiles and tapping their toes. I implore you; see this one even if you don’t like musicals. It won’t disappoint.