“Hairspray” – a story that has been breathing fresh aerosol on stage and on screen for decades – is back to introduce a new generation to the kids who broke down out-dated standards of sexuality, status and race with crowd-pleasing and hair-teasing fun.
“Hairspray” was embracing big girls and black kids long before equality became the norm, before Hollywood heroes became more likely to be misfits and oddballs than prom queens and popular jocks. The story delightfully diffuses the value of being different and while it acts is a timeless reminder to challenge the status quo; this adaptation stands more as a reaffirmation of our evolving values rather than a critique of the mainstream. It mixes zealous social observation with a quirky compassion for outsiders that transforms into a colorful and charming musical comedy.
Though it renders little resemblance to the original 1988 cult sensation by filmmaker John Waters, it is still fantastically foolish and endearing. Toes will tap during director/choreographer Adam Shankman’s unassuming and feisty redo of the stage musical.
Hairspray’s eminent heroine is the weighty and wonderful Tracy Turnblad (Nicky Blonsky). In the film’s stunning opening number, “Good Morning Baltimore,” the tone is set as the audience is thrown into a wacky and whimsical whirlwind of bubble-gum brilliance right from the get-go. As Tracy skips through the city, singing an infectious ditty full of oh-oh-ohs and slapstick one-liners, it’s hard not to bounce in your seat and bob along to her energized spirit. Blonsky is so likeable in this role, you better check your pulse if you don’t fall in love with Tracy’s high hair and high hopes. She’s determined to dance her way to local stardom on Baltimore’s hit teen variety TV program, the Corny Collins Show.
Corny’s cast is full of great-looking kids with all the right moves and hair heaped in bizarre mounds atop their chiseled little faces. Tracy, along with every other Baltimore youngster, just wants to be a part of the musical mayhem. The show’s reigning pom-pom toting princess, the spoiled and snobbish Amber Von Tussle (Brittany Snow), and her mother, the deliciously detestable Velma Von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer) attempt to derail Tracy’s big dreams but despite their efforts, she jives her way onto the stage and into the hearts of the entire town.
As the pretty kids push to exclude the plump new girl, Tracy’s mounting popularity becomes a fitting counterpart to the discussion of racial discrimination that underlines the more comical tone of the film. If a chubby kid can step with the skinny girls, so can the detention deviants (who surprisingly, are all black).
“Hairspray” walks the line between sunny and satirical while still staying true to the pop vernacular of the time with dramatic narratives underscoring catchy vocals. The high-paced music and forgotten choreography of the 60s take the picture from a campy summer blockbuster to a could-be classic.
The movie is chalk full of show-stopping song-and-dance numbers and irresistible, gutsy lead characters.
Newcomer Elijah Kelley plays Seaweed, the smoothest cat from the wrong side of town, with utmost style and grace. He just about steals the whole show with his sweet moves and suave demeanor. Amanda Bynes (as goofy sidekick Penny Pingleton) compliments Kelley’s Seaweed with a restrained yet comical performance. Zac Efron (of High School Musical fame) rounds out the dynamic younger cast as the perfectly slick heartthrob Link Larkin. With more performances like this, Efron will surely shake and shimmy his way onto tinsel town’s A-list.
While the picture clearly belongs to the next generation of triple-threat thespians, the established cast of seasoned veterans also bring each of their characters to life with ease.
James Marsden, a guy who’s just about made his mark for playing scene-stealing supporting roles takes it up a notch as host Corny Collins – think Dick Clarke with an abnormally euphoric twist. Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle is mostly subdued but takes command in a moving scene where the film stops joking about the civil rights movement and takes it seriously if just for a moment- and the moment translates as simply magical. Once you get past his distracting and disastrous “Baltimore” accent, John Travolta will win you over as Edna Turnblad, Tracy’s hefty disapproving mother.
Pfeiffer holds her own while Christopher Walken shows off his now infamous (thanks to that impressive Fat Boy Slim video) dancing capabilities.
It will dazzle you with its star-studded cast, it will have you roaring with laughter and clapping in goofus glee but most importantly, right in the midst of summer movie pandemonium, “Hairspray” fittingly brings big smile-inducing fun to the big screen.
