HAIRSPRAY - - - A Bonafide Crowd Pleaser- Page 6

[erikaamato]

Posted: 7/20/07 at 10:45pm

Yes, some of the satire came through, but only if you were looking for it.

TINY LITTLE SPOIILER

Not exactly satire, but brilliant: the flasher in the beginning is played by John Waters. Almost pee'd my pants.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 7/20/07 at 10:58pm

I'm so pissed the funding for John Waters' next film fell through. It was a Christmas story for children called FRUITCAKE.

[broadway86]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 12:30am

****possible spoilers****


Loved it (probably a 3.5 out of 4). Without a doubt, one of the best musical adaptations ever. As enjoyable and exhilerating a summer movie as you're likely to see. In order to avoid digressing, I'm not going to compare the original Broadway cast with their movie counterparts. Overall, however, each interpretation was so different (yet, equally valid) that there wouldn't be much sense in comparing anyway. I'll just save it for another thread.

Cast comments...

John Travolta - Pure, sweet perfection. Edna and Tracy are the heart and soul of the movie. Was pissed when I heard that he was cast, and I didn't understand why (and apparantly, neither did he). My worries were put on hold when I saw clips of certain scenes and numbers. Definitely fascinated, but would his bold choices pay off in the end? The answer: Hell, yeah. A tour de force, straight from the musical comedy gods. My hat is off.

Nikki Blonsky - Owns the movie without ever seeming to try. Bright, bubbly, sincere, and a great star performance.

Michelle Pfeiffer - Deliciously evil, and a formidable villain.

James Marsden - Never, ever expected this out of him. Plays the charming, smarmy Corny Collins to the hilt.

Elijah Kelley - Energy and charisma personified.

Christopher Walken - As with Fierstein and Latessa, his relationship with Travolta totally works, and he infuses the role with his signature mannerisms. One of his best performances in years. His response to being called "obtuse" is priceless.

Queen Latifah - Possibly her best performance yet. This woman is a bonafide scene-stealer.

Allison Janney - Hilarious, vivid characterization. The movie could have used more of her.

Amanda Bynes - Completely different, sexier Penny than I've ever seen before. A pleasant surprise. Her reactions are spot-on, as are some of her line readings.

Zac Efron - Undeniable amount of presence and musical chops. I like how he underplayed Link's discoveries about himself and others.

Brittany Snow - Forgettable, but is bitchy enough when the occasion calls for it. I can't help but assume that some of her part was cut... no?

John Waters - 'Nuff said.



My favorite songs (in no part. order)...

"Good Morning Baltimore" - You really have to see it to believe it.

"Welcome to the 60s" - Dazzling. When Edna emerges a new woman, the song soars from pure joy to sheer euphoria.

"I Can Hear the Bells" - Didn't care for the staging of this song in the live show. But, placed in a completely different setting, it is a riot.

"I Know Where I've Been" - Taking a break from the fun, Latifah puts a lump in our throat. With all of the bouncy numbers, this one shouldn't work. But, it does.

"Run and Tell That" - Read my previous comment about Kelly. Him and the young girl playing Little Inez are dynamite.

"Without Love" - Like "Bells", works so much better here than onstage.

"You Can't Stop the Beat" - And why would you want to?! The whole cast (well, almost) rocks this song, and Travolta pulls the rug out from under us AGAIN, and... Well, it's worth the price of admission. This one had the whole audience clapping and cheering. Updated On: 7/21/07 at 12:30 AM