Then there is the Saturday Night Fever dancing, with the slight nod to Pulp Fiction's Vincent Vega. The humor is increased by having him paired with Christopher Walken in the best display of dancing, the only way Walken can, since the "Weapon of Choice" music video. They are an unlikely couple, but they make it work. The other major adult role is filled by Michelle Pfeiffer, the villainous Velma Von Tussle. She may be manipulative, backwards thinking, and downright evil, but she is still looking good. Finally, there is James Marsden, Cyclops with a bleached smile, playing ringleader to the dancing kids as the aptly named Corny Collins.
The real stars are the kids. The kids are led by Nikki Blonsky, in her first role, and she makes the most of it. She has a strong voice, can dance well, and has such an exuberant screen presence that she really carries the film. Amanda Bynes is the adorable best friend who seems to be a perpetual state of amazement, and is never far away from a lollipop. On the other side of the gender barrier, you have the likes of Zac Efron and Elijah Kelly. Efron is an up and comer hot from High School Musical; here he plays Link Larkin, the dance show's heartthrob and the object of Tracy's affections. Elijah Kelly is fantastic as Seaweed, son of Maybelle (Queen Latifah) and a fantastic dancer who shares his moves with Tracy while falling for Penny.
Bottom line. You know, this is not typically the sort of movie that is at the top of my list. That does not preclude me from enjoying this. I think that if I didn't enjoy it, I wouldn't have a pulse. It is just so sunny in its disposition, I guarantee that you will smile. Despite not bringing anything new to the table, everything it does, it does right.
Recommended.
Article comments
1 - Sean Paul Mahoney
Chris, I agree to some extent. It's a fun frothy film but is it original? No. I actually threw in my copy of the original dvd and found it waaay superior.
Travolta blows but Michelle and the rest of the cast is amazing!
2 - Ty
That's the thing, problem is, the original movie came out in 1988, less than twenty years ago.
This movie is properly labeled, "TOO SOON!!!!"
3 - Chris Beaumont
Ty,
What is your opinion last year's Best Picture winner, The Departed? It is a remake of Infernal Affairs from 2002. Or how about The Wizard of Oz? The 1933 classic follows the 1925 feature (with Oliver Hardy). Remakes have been apart of movies as long as there have been movies.
Also think about this, how many more people now will be interested in seeing the 1988 original now that they have seen this? probably a good number, I know I am. It's not like it was a blockbuster of any caliber. I didn't crack $7 mil at the box office.
4 - Rebecca Wright
This is one of those movies that's just plain fun. I thought Travolta was a bit weak in his role. I heard one critic describe "Hairspray" as "Grease" for this generation. That seems very appropriate.
5 - hugz
hairspray was the bestest film i have ever seen its fantasitic xxx