Hairspray (2007)

[Jasmine1022]

I agree 100%

[blackcauldron85]

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! That's amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Was he nice?!? Did you get to talk with him much?!?!

[PeterPanfan]

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k236/ ... KKAH-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

Don't worry...Zac's smile is worse than yours.

[James]

No, don't worry about your smile Skyler, it's really nice. You got some nice shiny teeth there too. That piccie with Nikki Blonksy is better than the Zac one.
-James

[Chernabog_Rocks]

I've seen parts of the original, and it was just weird for me.

I was waiting for someone to say that.

It was weird for me, because it was halfway in when I started watching, and all I knew was that Tracy likes doing the Cockroach I thought it was good from what I saw, but it would have been better if I had seen it from the beginning


Edit: Took me few tries to fix the quote box

[skyler888]

Hahah
Well I didn't talk to him alot
but he was really nice
and he goofed around with my little brother giving high fives and "pounding it"
and he didn't mind when asked for pictures



bahhahah thanks PeterPanFan

[Chernabog_Rocks]

Here's a link to Zac singing Ladies Choice (wasn't sure if I should make new topic for it or not)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF3FWMqcJFM

[TheSequelOfDisney]

Well, it's not Oprah, but it is "Hairspray" week on NBC:

http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=19969

I'll have something to look forward to this week. I can't believe that Hairspray is out on Friday!

[Anthony]

Thanks for the info TSOD. I'll be setting my DVR for that all week long.

And for those interested the episode of the Hairspray cast on Oprah will be repeating on Wednesday July 18th.

And, of course, everyone run to the theaters on Friday July 20 as Hairspray will finally open!

[Flanger-Hanger]

Looked for something similar but couldn't find it so sorry if this thread has already been made.

I saw the film today at 12:20 pm and was simply amazed. I never expected myself to go see this movie in the first place but between Anthony's signature/avatar, my cousin, and an enthusiastic trailer I went anyway. Few films in my opinion are just fun from the opening credits to the end title. Some poeple may dislike this format becuase it does not engage all emotions but In my opinion it's better to just enjoy yourself and forget your troubles, isn't this what movies are all about? (The Princess Bride and The Great Mouse Detective and Mel Brook's films are films like this in my opinion).

The film has very catchy music with my second favourite song being "The Nicest kids in Town", after of course, "You Can't Stop the Beat". The film did take it's time to be serious about racial intigration but it wasn't long before the jokes and dances started again (after all this film is sapposed to be song and dance first). John Travolta was very convincing as a woman and Niki Blonski could certainly sing and dance. Everyone was simply perfect (even Zac Efron whom i didn't care at all for in High School Musical). It amazed me that Amanda Bynes could sing but I think the most amazing thing about this movie will be the number of people who show up to see it. Not alot of people like musicals but It's hard not too enjoy yourself for the 2 hour running time.

My pick for best film of the summer.

[Anthony]

Man! Flanger-Hanger beat me to starting this thread!!! Glad you liked it though.

Well I have died and gone to musical movie heaven. I just got back from my second time watching the movie (my first was this afternoon's matinee - I know.... I need help) and I must say that Hairspray is, without a doubt, the best musical movie EVER!

I must agree with Flanger-Hanger's statement about the fun starting right at the beginning of the film and not stopping to the end. Anyone who has seen the broadway show knows that the songs are wonderful. There has been 3 new songs written for the movie which are also enjoyable and just as catchy.

The perfomances are exceptional as well (I too was worried about the casting of Zac Efron but was pleasantly surprised). My biggest worry, though, was John Travolta. I wasn't sure if he would be able to give the character of Edna enough charm and humor, boy was I wrong. A few minutes in, you completely forget that it's Travolta in a fat-suit and fall in love with his portrayal. I really think this is the best performance of Travolta's career. You really get attached to Edna! Walken, Pfieffer, Marsden and Queen Latifah are all wonderful too. And let's not forget newcomer Nikki Blonsky who makes a powerhouse debut in her first acting gig.

Having followed the production of Hairspray since it was announced in Spring of 2006, I was a bit concerned that maybe my hopes were too high, I'm glad I was wrong about that. This movie is a must see for all ages. It's more than just your average musical, it's fun, bright and tremendously entertaining without being too fluffy.

Final grade: A+

[Disneykid]

I saw the film at a matinee showing earlier today and had a lot of fun with it. Although I've never actually seen the Broadway show, I was familiar with the soundtrack, so I knew that if anything, the music would be great. I was surprised at how laugh-out-loud funny this was. I haven't laughed this much at a movie since Meet the Robinsons.

The whole cast was excellent in their roles (Zac Efron's normally forced acting worked here thanks to Link's character being pretty tongue-in-cheek). The standout, though, was certainly Nikki Blonsky. I wanted to give her a big hug every time she came on screen. She was just too adorable, and I was surprised to find I actually preferred her singing over the original Broadway Tracy. I'm going to be following her career very closely from now on. Like others have said, John Travolta was suprisingly effective as Edna. He really sold the character to me better than I ever thought he could.

The cinematography and production design were great, as well. The film didn't feel like a recreation of the 1960s; it actually felt like it was FROM the 1960s, albeit with a wink and a nudge here and there. I loved how the camera was nice and flowing. Cinematography in musicals tends to fall in one of two categories: either the camera just sits there for prolonged periods of time like if you were watching a stage musical (The Wiz, The Producers), or the editing becomes so frenetic that you don't get a proper view of things (Moulin Rouge, Chicago). Hairspray managed to strike a nice balance between the two.

I'm trying to think of any flaws, but the movie does so much right that it's hard. The closest thing I can think of to a flaw is that some of the scenes about racial segregation felt a tad forced, especially in the beginning. This didn't bother me, though, so when the only flaw I can find in a film is something I recognize but aren't bothered by, that's a good sign. I can't wait to see this again. If I don't end up seeing it again in theaters, I can certainly guarantee a lot of replays when I buy the DVD.

***1/2 out of ****

[Ting Ting]

I just got back from seeing it and it is officially one of my favorite movies of all-time. I have never smiled so much during a movie; it was just so much fun! From the moment Tracy started singing "Good Morning, Baltimore" I was grinning from ear-to-ear, which made me form a little crush on Nikki Blonsky . The rest of the audience was having a blast as well, which made the experience even more fun. I've never seen such an enthusiastic crowd at a movie. I even walked in on a guy singing in the bathroom at the end of the film! It was classic!

I'll definitely be purchasing the soundtrack this week and the film the day it's released on DVD. I also plan on trying to get someone to go see it with me again tomorrow afternoon.

Luckily for me, the touring version of <i>Hairspray</i> will be coming to my hometown in February of '08 and I am definitely going!



P.S.
Was I the only one that noticed Ricki Lake's short cameo at the end of the film?

[Anthony]

Was I the only one that noticed Ricki Lake's short cameo at the end of the film?

No.

Don't forget John Waters' cameo as "the flasher who lives next store" during Good Morning Baltimore.

[Lazario]

I really still don't know what to think. No, I haven't watched it yet. But after seeing about 1 million tv spots and advertisements for it (I wish them all the success they can get, I have no grudges against it either way), I am being torn both frontways and backways about this movie.

It obviously doesn't look as clever as the original film. Or as funny. Though that is a given. So, they took it and re-invented it for a bigger mainstream appeal. I guess, given the subject matter (at least, as far as I know it: Fat Power, or whatever you'd call it), what they're doing is okay. But there are just so many things I'm unsure about.

But... whatever. I don't know any one of my friends who are in a hurry to see it, so I probably won't see it for years. In which case, it won't matter. It does look as though it's trying too hard to be hip while the original will be hip forever. Since it still retains its' edge, while this film is based on the musical which was all about softening that edge for mass appeal.

[Flanger-Hanger]

Man! Flanger-Hanger beat me to starting this thread!!! Glad you liked it though.

I kept wondering the whole time while making my post "Why Hasn't Anthony started this?" but I guess you were watching the movie a second time (I too want to see it again as soon as possible). I am also convinced that Corny Collins is my favourite character.

Disneykid, the reason it looks like something from the 60's is parts of Toronto still look like something from the 60's (my cousin recognized the gas station in "Good Morning Baltimore"). I just got the soundtrack as soon as the store opened and like Phantom of the Opera, I'll probably want to buy everything relating to the movie (including the films hardcover book). Although most merchandise will have Zac Efron's face put on it (you mean teenage girls don't want Christopher Walken's face on a heart shaped necklace?).

And Lazario, even if your friends don't want to see it, go see it anyway.

[Lazario]

And Lazario, even if your friends don't want to see it, go see it anyway.

Well, they usually have pretty good tastes.

I'm kiddin' - they'd never stop me from seeing a movie. It's just, except for the film's plot (the fat/curves/People-power thing), I don't see anything special about this remake. It means well, sure. But they're just putting it out to make money, be hip, to fit it into a trend of other movie musicals. Though now that I've said that, I can honestly say it's sort of been awhile since the last one hasn't it. Anyway, I can say a film about this musical doesn't mean anything except to people who liked the original musical. Meaning, I don't know anyone who got excited for this movie before knowing it was a big Broadway musical first. Which isn't important to say, it's just what I feel.

[Prudence]

I have yet to see it, but I suppose I shouldn't care about "spoilers." I know the story. I have to ask, how was Allison Janney as Prudy Pingleton? Prudy is my favorite Hairspray character and Allison is one of my all-time favorite actresses.

My fictional namesakes are brilliant-- in a neurotic way.

[SpringHeelJack]

Allison was, as usual, perfect in the role. The only complaint I have (and this is with the screenwriter) is that she never gets to "redeem" herself in the end as she does in stage show, which bummed me out. the same can be said **SPOILERZ**with Amber and Velma, who don't join in at the end of "You Can't Stop the Beat", which seemed kind of against the spirit of the movie**END SPOILERZZZ**

[Prudence]

The only complaint I have (and this is with the screenwriter) is that she never gets to "redeem" herself in the end as she does in stage show, which bummed me out. the same can be said **SPOILERZ**with Amber and Velma, who don't join in at the end of "You Can't Stop the Beat", which seemed kind of against the spirit of the movie**END SPOILERZZZ**

Ah. I'm sure that will irk me as well. However, this is still sure to be a million times better than say-- Disney's version of Annie. That was awful. I can pinpoint a million things wrong with that horrible remake, but if I do, I will make a completely different topic.