I like the live show better, but the movie was lots of fun. Nikki Blonksy was perfect. She needs to play Tracy on Broadway. I'm a huge fan of Queen Latifah and she lived up to my expectations. I only wish she had more screen time. Same goes for Allison Janney. Overall, everyone was great. Except John Travolta. He was terrible. A few minor complaints: Michelle Pfeiffer can't sing, Amanda Bynes doesn't look like a Penny, and I missed the cut songs. My only real problem with the movie was Travolta. Other than that, it was a very fun experience. I will definitely buy the DVD.
The only thing I didn't like about the film (which I ADORE by the way) was Amanda's singing. She's a great actress, I think, but she really can't sing. It turned out to be ok, she didn't have THAT much singing to do.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/8/04
"Michelle Pfeiffer can't sing"
Oh, please...
I wasn't really impressed with Pfeiffer's singing either. She was pretty good in her scenes, though.
She's so good at evil roles. White Oleander, Hairspray, Stardust..just to name 3. Love her.
Batman Returns..... Meow!
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/07
of course the stage versions are always better. but i really enjoyed the film but i wish they would have casted harvey as edna.
Updated On: 8/18/07 at 12:50 AM
The stage versions aren't always better.
"Michelle Pfeiffer can't sing"
Her voice was great for the role. Watch the "The Fabulous Baker Boys" and it is another example of why her acting is so much more important than the singing and she does not let the fact that she does not sound like Streisand effect her work. She is a pro!
I agree that her acting was great. I just think her singing could have been better.
Understudy Joined: 10/4/06
Call me crazy but I love her voice.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/07
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/5/04
Michelle was pretty perfect in the role :).
Everyone seems to either LOVE John or absolutely HATE him. There's no grey area with him...lol, I'm on the love side.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
"...I wish they would have casted Harvey"
There is no such word as "casted". The past tense of "cast" is "cast".
IF they had CAST Harvey, do you really think the movie wouold have done as well at teh box office? Thew fact that Travolta was in it... and playing a woman, got the movie tons of publicity. With Harvey, it would have been "a movie with that gay guy with the weird voice who dresses as a woman".
Broadway Star Joined: 3/25/04
I went into the theater thinking "I'm not going to like Travolta in this role" and, at the beginning, I felt that way. But, as the movie continued---I enjoyed his performance more and more and definitely could see that his dancing skills were used well.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/3/06
Travolta ruined the entire movie. what a waste they could have had someone like Harvey in the role... the movie would have been a hell of a lot better without Travolta.
The only thing I didn't like about the film (which I ADORE by the way) was Amanda's singing. She's a great actress, I think, but she really can't sing. It turned out to be ok, she didn't have THAT much singing to do.
Do you really think she's a "great actress"? I thought she was extremely weak in the role. She had absolutely no characterization. She just stands there. Compare her to the original Penny in John Waters' film. Well, never mind, because compared to everyone in the original John Waters' film, nobody has a character. But, especially Penny, Link. Edna's character is just strange.
Updated On: 8/18/07 at 10:54 AM
Michelle and Travolta... FLAWLESS.
In my opinion, of course.
I liked the movie but I agree with you about Travolta.
I love Travolta. He really is talented but I prefer the campy feel of the show.
The movie sells out. To make it squeaky clean for the states that would not approve of the show on Broadway.
Travolta played the role as a woman, mother but took out all the fun of the original DIVINE. Sadly, Travolta made EDNA a boring house frau.
Blonsky on the other hand is the greatest Tracy I have ever seen. She blew me away. She is PERFECTION!!!!
I saw it for the third time last night, and I love it even more every time I see it. John Travolta's performance also gets better once you get used to the speaking voice.
Michelle Pfeiffer's voice is something I'm kind of on the fence with. Sometimes, it sounds amazing, and sometimes, it sounds like she's just speaking the lyrics.
Overall though, this is probably one of my favorite movies ever. Haha.
But seeing as all of Edna we see on screen, from the accent to the body, is all 100% Travolta I do not see how the movie sells out. The filmmakers didn't ask him to play the role that way.
Not just in the film. I like Amanda Bynes as an actress all-around. I think she's funny.
Not just in the film. I like Amanda Bynes as an actress all-around. I think she's funny.
See, I've never liked Amanda Bynes, but for some reason, I loved her in Hairspray.
I've enjoyed Amanda Bynes in other things (she was wonderful on ALL THAT in it's heyday), but I wasn't wild about her in Hairspray. She was fine, but she just faded into the background.
MP voice was great for that role and she was fantastic in it (chewing the scenery lol)
I actually loved travolta in it, he came across as very natural and vulnerable
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