Why Hairspray Pleased Me So

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 2:04pm

I really don't like beating dead horses (even though this one, no fat joke intended, is alive and well), but I just have to say how much I enjoyed the Hairspray film. Having seen the show numerous times, with everything except the complete original cast (I missed Marissa by 3 days!), it's one of the most feel good pleasures around.

My big fear was that they would kill it (come on, Adam Shankman?), the same way how Chris Columbus killed Rent, Schumaker killed Phantom (proud to say I've never seen the show or the movie), and Stroman killed her own baby, The Producers.

Of course, Shankman proved his worth and the Hairspray movie is not only the best movie musical in at least few years, but it's the most fun experience I've ever had in my years of movie going (South Park notwithstanding. The Simpsons Movie may claim that title next week, who knows?)

He and Leslie Dixon somehow got an advance copy of my novel, "Yankeefan007's Guide on How To Direct A Good Movie-Musical." They followed the most important rule nearly completely:
"NEVER put a lot of dialogue in a movie-musical." Too much dialogue slows down the pace and can kill. Case in point: the scene where Velma seduces Wilbur slows down the film completely (though it quickly cuts to a Big, Blonde, and Beautiful reprise, so it all balances out).

Song-to-song, snappy buttons, Hairspray is a perfect example of a movie-musical gone right. Excellent casting all around, from Nikki Blonsky (who's sure to be the next big thing...again, no pun intended) to the adorable Amanda Bynes (my new celebrity crush). Travolta is great, Walken and Latifah are perfect, and Shaiman and Wittman's dynamite score is, thank God, not bastardized for the cinema. Terrific orchestrations!

Of course, nothing will EVER live up to my memories of Harvey and company...but this is a very good thing for people who didn't have that opportunity.

That's all.

::Yankee steps off the soap-box.::
Updated On: 7/21/07 at 02:04 PM

[Rudy2]

Posted: 7/21/07 at 2:08pm

I agree with all of that, as well as about Amanda Bynes. She is not exactly a good actress, but she's too cute to make you care about it.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 12:07am

I can't wait for all this Hairspray mania to be over so we can discuss other things, but I can't wait to see the film as well. I'm going tomm. But what exactly is Nikki going to be? Do you really see her having a film career or a musical theater career? I'm not saying she can't or won't, but I'm not sure what else I see her doing. It's sort of like Jennifer Hudson. She was so suited for that role, but I can't really see her just doing a romantic comedy or something, ya know?

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 12:46am

I can't wait for all this Hairspray mania to be over so we can discuss other things
Couldn't agree more.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 1:16am

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Same here.

Liked the movie; but I thought it was overrated...I mean seriously 95% on Rotten Tomatoes? It's insanely entertaining and fun, but 95%!? Better reviews than movies like Little Children, Brokeback Mountain, and the far superior movie-musical Dreamgirls? That's where I get a little skeptical...my hopes went from being in the dumps (the trailers looked awful) to the heights (the rave reviews), I was let down but maybe because my expectations were so high...it's a fun, popcorn-flick that will put a nice big grin on your face...but it's not a masterpiece movie-musical hybrid...LOVED the show (one of the best musicals ever written in my opinion); LIKED the film. Nikki Blonsky is terrific, I must say...Zac Efron, though...well....he's another story. I'd give it *** out of four stars...go see it though and judge for yourself. I am really rooting for it to be a box office hit; I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade...I'm thrilled its getting recieved so positively.

PS: Can someone please make a general HAIRSPRAY MOVIE love thread or something? Not that that will do much...

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 1:44am

Well I'm not saying it doesn't deserve all the praise it's getting - I haven't seen it, but it's kind of boring on the boards because that's all anyone is talking about.

[Weez]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 4:11am

Schumaker killed Phantom (proud to say I've never seen the show or the movie)

Then how are you so certain he killed it? :P

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 4:26am

Weez, that's what I want to know as well.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 7:55am

I should have clarified...I've seen enough of the movie (about an hour or so on HBO) to make that judgment...as for the Broadway production, I'm sure there's a reason why it's the longest running show.

For all the detractors, create your own thread! Don't hijack mine with your "I didn't reaaaally like it" messages. Updated On: 7/22/07 at 07:55 AM

[jaystarr]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 8:41am

Yankeefan- I agree with you. I the movie too. I thought I wont like it bec. I was not really sure of John Travolta as Edna Turnblad.. but he won me over and I his intrepretation of Edna.
I also like how the movie musical REVERT some parts to the original John Water's movie.

BTW- Have you guys seen John Waters & Rickki Lake doing a cameo in the movie...

We sooo much ! We'll see it agian next week...and If you have not seen it GO SEE IT.. Its that good !

J*

Updated On: 7/22/07 at 08:41 AM

[Weez]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 12:52pm

Yankeefan: I was just being facetious. :) Although tbh, I'm more inclined to blame the casting for killing the Phantom movie. It would've been fine, had Gerry Butler actually deployed his charisma, Emmy Rossum not spent the whole thing doing goldfish impressions (the ONLY thing I liked about her was that I was totally convinced she was stupid enough to be Christine), and Patrick Wilson not been wasted in such a useless role.

[Kringas]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 3:44pm

I hated Hairspray so much on stage, but I vowed to try and give it the benefit of the doubt on film. To my surprise, I loved it. Even Travolta, who wigs me in out photos, was a lot of fun to watch. Everyone was, from the preternaturally self-assured Nikki Blonksy to the luminous Michelle Pfeiffer.

The mania will die down soon enough, so it doesn't bother me too much. Of course, I'm one of the five people who liked the Phantom movie, too.

[artscallion]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 9:06pm

Saw this today. I loved it! What a fun movie. (I have to be careful not to overuse my exclamation points or they'll begin to lose their meaning)

The entire cast was great. Travolta put a whole new spin on the role and it really worked. Other standouts among standouts (is that possible?) were James Marsden and Elijah Kelley.

The dancing was incredible. The excitement palpable! (that one deserved an exclamation.) I can't imagine how this movie could have been better. Well, maybe if they'd have let me be in it.

Congratulations, Marc!!!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 2:37am

I totally agree with your review Arts. Going into it, I thought I'd hate Travolta, but I thought he was hilarious. I'm not sure what sort of accent he was going for, but it was still funny. And Elijah Kelley was SO freakin' good. Great dancer and singer. And James Mardsen has some pipes! My only real let-down was Amanda Bynes. She didn't really embody the character. Penny needs to have some "soul" to her vocals to sort of accompany Seaweed's, but she didn't really have a "big" voice at all.

The dancing was great. It really made me want to go take dance lessons and it was great to see some Broadway faces in there. Curtis got a lot of screen time, I was suprised. I felt sort of guilty knowing who he was without anyone else in the audience knowing.