Hairspray

 

Since we've been on the topic of John Travolta, I thought the next movie musical I should review is 'Hairspray," the 2007 edition. I haven't seen the the original, but I do enjoy this version very much. "Hairspray" about a heavyset girl, Tracy Turnblad, who wants nothing more than to be part of The Corny Collins Show, her and her friend watch everyday after school. She soon find out that the African Americans with just as much if not more talent are not being given that same rights. So quickly she begins to fight for integration on television. The movie deals with two major problems in television back in the day one is the lack of color people and the other is how people who didn't fit the American beauty were treated regardless of skin color.

Tracy Turnblad played by Nicki Blonsky did an incredible job for her debut. She played Tracy perfectly. Tracy is a perky lovable girl, who has a lot of energy and is able to dance. She is persistent with everything she does and isn't afraid of what people think , a rare quality in the 60's. Slowly she changes everyone she encounters.

Penny Pingleton played by Amanda Bynes is another interesting character. She is like Tracy in some ways, but fears way to much what people will think of her especially her mother. She is in a forbidden romance throughout the movie with  Seaweed, a African American boy. She hides everything form her judgmental and stuck in the past mother.

Again John Travolta steals the show by playing Edna Turnblad, Tracy's mother, yes her mother. Edna is a heavyset girl who hasn't left her house in years because she fears people will make fun of her because of the way she looks. She is very isolated and doesn't seem to know how the world has changed around her. She is supportive of Tracy, but is to intimidated by other to truly support her daughter. Travolta does an excellent job and I wish he had been nominated for a Best Supporting "Person" Oscar.

Overall everyone in the entire cast is enjoyable and very watchable on screen. Corny Collins played by James Marsden is one of my favorite character in the movie mainly due to Marsden.

The story and plot of the movie is both engaging and fun. The comedy is well blended even into one of the more serious scenes, but doesn't take anything away from the movie and its effect.

The main thing in any musical is the music and boy is the music good in "Hairspray." They all have a vibe of the time period and are well integrated into the movie. Non of the songs feel out of place or out of date. My favorites are "Welcome to the 60's" and the end song "You Can't Stop the Beat." They are great big numbers that show how the world is changing or has changed.

Overall Hairspray is a delightfully fun movie with great songs and an engaging story. I personally think it should have been nominated for Best Picture. I give Hairspray 4.5/5. A fun engaging film with rocking numbers.