Who didn't think Hairspray was *that* great? — Page 2

His voice was too low and it was hard to understand what he was saying.

Did you see it on Broadway when Harvey was Edna? I saw him five times and if anyone was difficult to understand, it would have been him. I thought John Travolta did an excellent job. The way he held that purse in front of him, like he was trying to hide his weight, is something that anyone who has ever been heavy can relate to. And, I was able to understand all the lyrics.

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Am I so transparent?

jim, it's okay to agree to disagree.

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Updated On: 7/23/07 at 03:09 AM

Your last paragraph is why I think I liked the movie so much and didn't like it on stage. On stage I always felt like there was this winky, to the audience, "See how cute and precious we are?" while I thought movie played it "straight," and was a lot funnier for it.

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SPOILERS below...


I saw the film tonight, and wasn't that impressed considering the raves it got. I enjoyed it, don't get me wrong, but it just wasn't as AMAZING as the reviews would indicate.

Anyone else feel this way?

I feel ya wonderfulwizard11- I thought it was a good film, unlike some other musicals turned into films recently (yeah I'm looking at you Rent). I saw the Hairspray film once, it was ok, have no need to see it again in the theatres, may pick it up when it comes out on dvd, but I just didn't think it was this OMG amazing Second Coming that a lot of people here seem to think that it was...

I actually flat out *hated* some of the changes made from the musical, that I thought weren't necessary, or changed the character too much, or just generally overall made things not as fun as the musical- in no particular order-
- the winner of Miss Teenage Hairspray
- the Von Tussels not 'learning their lesson' and being a part of "You Can't Stop the Beat"
- Tracy *runs away* when people get arrested during the protest??
- the way that "Big Blonde and Beautiful" went from being this anthem song that gets Edna involved in the march in the musical, to being this 'heh- isn't this funny, lookit the fat people like food' number in the film
- the way that Edna is *involved* in the march in the musical, but just so happens to stumble into line and get arrested in the film
- the whole cheating storyline- yes I get that it setup "You're Timeless to Me," but, there was never any question in the musical that Wilbur loved Edna, and yet somehow in the film it's like they had to 'explain' why Wilbur stays with the fat chick, instead of it just being he loves her, no explanation necessary, and so they throw in him rejecting Velma, who is actually just trying to set him up anyway, so it's not really a rejection, and the whole thing was just a hot mess that didn't make any sense (this last one I don't think I'm explaining well- it sounds better in my head :))

And then there's stuff that I just didn't like that had nothing to do with changes from the musical: Amanda Bynes was not a good Penny, Allison Janney was horribly horribly underused (you're making all those other changes from the musical, but you can't create something more for Prudy?), and of course John Travolta just bugs me.

He thought Michele Pfeiffer looked haggard and old, and didn't sing very well... and played the part "one note" the whole way.

See- I basically agree with that, (I'll give him old, but not haggard :)), and yet I *liked* that about her...I always thought that Velma was supposed to be this washed-up has-been of a beauty queen, living through her (younger, hotter, blonder, etc.) daughter, and so I thought it made sense that Michelle Pfeiffer was *not* the OMG best singer evah.

Gee, C says that not everyone has to like the movie and gets personally attacked... I wonder why some people might be stifling any negative thoughts about it?

Not to mention that a lot of people seem to think that because the composer posts here, all that should be said about the movie is warm and fuzzies and props to him, and anyone who says otherwise is just being mean or is just jealous. Come on, guys: no artist--or movie--is perfect.

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Updated On: 7/23/07 at 11:25 AM

jimnysf: Well, this isn't the only time I've seen it happening, either. I could point out a number of specific incidents (not involving) you, but I won't.

I'd love to agree with you in that it's a conspiracy theory, but I do remember quite well the Travolta threads...

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I loved, loved, loved this movie. Hands down the best movie musical in ages. Better than CHICAGO, DREAMGIRLS, etc.

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I hated it as well.

Saw the show twice, both with Fierstien, and while I never really saw what the fuss was about, I atleast thought it was entertaining.

The movie on the otherhand is completely artificial and very badly photographed in my opinion. I honestly didn't laugh once and found myself checking my watch constantly 20 minutes in.

The show itself has always been badly structured, but the changes the screenwriter made, what with the whole seduction stuff between Pfeifer and Walken, just made the matter worse. The film slows to the pace of a snail and leaves you snoring till the end credits.

Also, Travolta is giving one of the worst performances of the year here. He doesn't seem comfurtable in women's clothes and never projects the same flamboyancy or camp value as Fierstien. He honestly just looks like a desperate actor stuck in a fat suit. Perhaps in the day he was a well trained musically talented actor, but in the film I honestly thought he did terrible as both a singer and a dancer. Not to mention that crazy accent that comes and goes.

Technical qualities of the film are also underwhelming. Costumes and sets look cheap and rushed, as though the designers had given no thought at all to how they would look on film.

Overall, I would describe it as one of the worst filmgoing experiences I've had this year.

This one's a 1-star if I ever saw one.

Updated On: 7/23/07 at 12:11 PM

And DREAMGIRLS is a lock for best picture, right?


It's not great by a longshot? Fortunately, the critics disagree. The best reviewed movie musical since...I don't even know what.

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Okay...but this thread was asking for individual opinions (obviously from people who didn't think it was great...hence the title of the thread) and I am thrilled it's getting such great reviews; there's some great material and moments in the movie but I found it to be completely overrated.

This isn't a matter of Oscar nominations and concrete opinions as to who will be nominated for an award. It's a matter of opinion and mine was different than that of the critics.

I don't know why I even bother posting my opinions on this board anymore...

As for Travolta not seeming comfortable in women's clothes, well Edna is not comfortable at all at the start of the film because of her weight, not having left the house etc... I simply think Travolta conveyed that perfectly.

I agree 100%!

I really do not rate him as an actor and was expecting him to be dreadful. But I was so glad to have my misconceptions thrown out.

Have you seen "Saturday Night Fever"? He was robbed of an Oscar for that as he gave an incredible, at times heartbreaking performance. He has been in some bad movies over the years, but he is a very good actor, given the right material.

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Haha...I think that's my excuse too.