Movie Review: Hairspray

For any of you who are contemplating going to see this remake of the old broadway and movie, stop contemplating and GO SEE IT!!! I loved this movie. Hairspray is one of the musicals that I wasn't too familiar with and was definitely pleasantly surprised. John Travolta (on the left in the picture above-if you couldn't guess) was an absolute hoot! And his dancing did live up to his performance in Grease (just add a fat suit and gender change...) I was also very pleasantly surprised by the performances from Amanda Bynes (She's the Man), Zac Efron (Highschool Musical), James Marsden (X-Men), and Christopher Walken (a bunch of movies I can't remember right now...). They all proved that they had both the pipes and moves to hold their own in a musical. For those of you who don't know the story- like me- the movie is set in the 60's and is about a big girl with big hair and a big heart whose ultimate dream is to dance on the Corny Collins show. The only problem is that she's just a little bit different than the poster girls they are looking for. Set in a time of segregation, she proves that being different is good, no matter the size you are or the color of your skin. My only two problems with this movie were the slightly suggestive dances (not to the extent of Grease mind you) and the "kissing" that became more like making out. All-in-all I thought this movie had a great message and is full of classic broadway dancing and singing, all the things we die-hard broadway fans love. I give this movie a B+ boarding on an A-.