My Hairspray MOVIE Review

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 7/8/07 at 5:46pm

I had the pleasure of attending a private industry screening of Hairspray on Friday morning, and just wanted to share some of my thoughts. Just to preface them though, I have to profess my obvious love of the stage version, and how much joy it has brought me every time I have seen it.

This movie is great. There is no doubt about that. All the sense of fun from both previous incarnations of this story is there, and yet again a star is born as Tracy in the form of Nikki Blonsky. She is bubbly without being overly cutesy, and she just exudes star power. You can’t help but fall I love with her…and it’s a good thing, because this movie REALLY needs a star in that role more than any other version.

The problem is that the script has changed and much of the balance has shifted from Tracy and her friends to the adult characters. While I understand that both to attract and utilize star power and talent some emphasis of these characters was needed…the pull is a little too far. Michelle Pfeiffer is superb as Velma, but there is FAR too much of her in the movie, especially considering almost all of Penny’s lines are cut from the movie (I swear you will walk away feeling like she had no more than 10 lines the whole movie). All the adult actors are so top notch and do some amazing work, but it is often at the expense of focusing on Tracy’s story and her development. The script changes also cause the structure of the piece to flounder a little and there are times when it seems like there is very little going on…which was NEVER a thought in the stage version.

Having said that, there are a few changes that really work for the screen. One that particularly stands out to me is the placement of I Know Where I’ve Been as the song of the protest march. This works so well cinematically and really packs a punch and adds strong, moving visuals to the lyrics and music. Also Link does something at the end that really signifies his morals and values winning out over his dreams and really redeem him as a character, and connected to this there is a nice surprise regarding the Miss Teenage Hairspray contest (I’m being intentionally vague. I don’t want to give anything away).

The production design and orchestrations are so rich, you just get swept up into the movie. The performances are all top notch (Travolta is brilliant and leaves any inhibitions at the door and totally lets himself become Edna, not caring whether he looks foolish or not). Some of the musical numbers are brilliantly staged (Run and Tell That and Welcome to the 60’s both have great structure and momentum as musical numbers, and because of the added emphasis on the adult characters Timeless To Me pays off in a big way).

All in all I had a great time at the theatre, and I enjoyed the movie immensely. I just wish they had really kept a tighter focus and Tracy, since she seems to get lost in a sea of big names every now and then. But you can bet that I will be there at the theatre seeing it again opening day.

Akiva

Updated On: 7/8/07 at 05:46 PM

[emo_geek]

Posted: 7/8/07 at 6:14pm

Thanks for the review! Also thanks for not spoiling it!

[Marc Shaiman]

Posted: 7/8/07 at 6:20pm

awwww....LinkLarkin still sticking up for Tracy, after all these years!! Isn't that sweet!

[...5678]

Posted: 7/8/07 at 6:31pm

I saw the movie at a screening earlier this week as well and I COMPLETELY agree with everything you said. Just want to ask though…am I the only one who felt the makeup on them all was FAR too much? I mean coming from someone like owns close to the entire MAC Cosmetics line I was pretty taken back at how caked they all seemed…

Besides that though the movie was incredible and hats off to Nikki Blonsky – for a newcomer I was incredibly impressed!

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 7/8/07 at 6:34pm

Hah...what can I say...I'm a sucker for my girl.

Marc. Can I just say those orchestrations sounded SO amazing in the theatre! Those little embellishments you added (like adding bits of I Can Hear The Bells in at the end of You Can't Stop the Beat, etc.) are perfect.

Also the new songs are great (Ladies Choice is so much fun...and dirty :p). Congrats! You and the team should be proud.

Akiva

[Weez]

Posted: 7/8/07 at 6:39pm

(Ladies Choice is so much fun...and dirty :p)

Ah, good! I was beginning to think I was the only person here with a filthy mind.

[emo_geek]

Posted: 7/8/07 at 6:41pm

"(Ladies Choice is so much fun...and dirty :p)

Ah, good! I was beginning to think I was the only person here with a filthy mind. "

Same here ^__^

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/8/07 at 6:48pm

I can't wait! I'm taking my nephew's kids to see it!

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 7/8/07 at 8:56pm

Joe,

Enjoy. They (and you) should love it.

Akiva

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 7/8/07 at 9:00pm

AHHHHHH . . . I can't wait!

[Evan Almighty]

Posted: 7/8/07 at 9:04pm

Did anyone else read this review? Marc's comment is priceless.

(That is your comment, right, Marc?)

Thanks for the review, Akiva. I'm glad you liked it. Ivan and I can't wait to see it.
Hairspray soundtrack review

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 7/8/07 at 9:11pm

Here is Variety's Movie Review:


http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117934040.html?categoryid=31&cs=1

[Dirty_Rotten_Guy]

Posted: 7/8/07 at 10:10pm

Nice review, I cant wait for this movie!

But I got to say, that sucks many of Penny's lines are gone. She is the best character in the story, and certainly has the funniest lines as well.

[mateo]

Posted: 7/8/07 at 10:25pm

to me I didnt feel like Pennys lines were cut...

But certainly when you take out a song like "Mama I'm A Big Girl Now" Penny isn't let with all that much.

I mean just think about the Broadway show- how often is she on stage?? not that much.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 7/8/07 at 11:10pm

Honestly, in the original John Waters Film, Penney didn't have that much to do and only had a few lines. She really was just a tag along to Tracey.

[kjobeeX3]

Posted: 7/8/07 at 11:11pm

Personally, I was glad to hear such a positive review.

A lot of people have been really harsh on what they've seen and heard.

Either way, I'm excited to see it!

[LoringsGuy]

Posted: 7/8/07 at 11:13pm

Thanks for the review, Akiva. I'm going to a screening tomorrow night and am really looking forward to it!

I can't stop listening to YCSTB. The last "motion of the ocean" part gives me goosebumps, and I love the little nod to "Good Morning Baltimore" at the very end.

[mateo]

Posted: 7/8/07 at 11:31pm

kjobee-

I haven't read any REALLY negative reviews at all.

I think some of the Broadway purists have been kind of negative- but no one I've read has said 'it was bad' 'I hated it.'

Variety who was mostly positive, must have been watching a different movie when they said the adult actors fell flat.

To me, there is just no way you can't give it up for Walken and Travolta in this movie.

[kjobeeX3]

Posted: 7/8/07 at 11:46pm

I suppose i meant more of the people who had just heard clips of the songs and seen small portions of the movie. I really haven't heard really anything negative from people who've actually seen the entire movie.

[Raviolisun]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:01am

Great review! I can't wait for this movie.

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:21am

I was pretty positive with some reservations (which included issues with Travolta, so perhaps I'm in the minority who can't 'give it up' for him)



My (almost too) detailed review Updated On: 7/9/07 at 12:21 AM

[mateo]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 12:23am

Yes, I was going to mention your review- but I forgot your screenname.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 7/9/07 at 2:04pm

Hah,

The friend I went with to the screening and I are both Penny addicts I suppose. We both let a very audible AWWWWW when she didn't say "I didn't hear anything", which is our favourite moment on the cast recording by far, to the point that all 10 other people in the theatre looked at us funny. Not that we expected her to deliver it the same as Kerry Butler or anything...just we missed it a lot, hah.

Akiva