HAIRSPRAY

[Moviefan02000]

http://us.movies1.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/new_line_cinema/hairspray/hairspray_bigreleaseposter.jpg

Plot Summary: "Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion--dancing. Her dream is to appear on "The Corny Collins Show," Baltimore's hippest dance party on TV. Tracy seems a natural fit for the show except for one not-so-little problem--she doesn't fit in. Her plus-sized figure has always set her apart from the cool crowd, which she is reminded of by her loving but overly protective plus-sized mother, Edna. That doesn't stop Tracy because if there is one thing that this girl knows, it's that she was born to dance. After wowing Corny Collins at her high school dance, Tracy wins a spot on his show and becomes an instant on-air sensation, much to the chagrin of the show's reigning princess, Amber Von Tussle, and her scheming mother, Velma, who runs television station WYZT. Even worse for Amber is the fact that it's not just the audience who loves the new girl in town; Amber's sweetheart, Link Larkin, seems to be smitten with Tracy's charms as well. This dance party gets personal as a bitter feud erupts between the girls as they compete for the coveted "Miss Teenage Hairspray" crown. At school, however, a short stint in detention and raised-eyebrows caused by the budding relationship between her best friend Penny Pingleton and Seaweed opens Tracy's eyes to a bigger issue than the latest dance craze or the coolest hairdo--racial inequality. Throwing caution to the wind, she leads a march with Motormouth Maybelle to fight for integration and winds up with an arrest warrant instead. Tracy is on the lam now and goes underground--literally--to her best friend Pennys basement. Has Tracy's luck finally run out? Will she miss the final dance-off against Amber and forfeit the title of "Miss Hairspray," or will she sing and dance her way out of trouble again?"

Starring: John Travolta (Pulp Fiction), Michelle Pfeiffer (What Lies Beneath), Christopher Walken (Blast From The Past), Amanda Bynes (She's The Man), James Marsden (X-Men), Queen Latifah (Last Holiday), Nikki Blonsky (debut), Brittany Snow (John Tucker Must Die), Zac Efron (High School Musical), Elijah Kelley (Take The Lead), Allison Janney (American Beauty), Jerry Stiller (Zoolander)

Directed by: Adam Shankman (The Wedding Planner)

Written by: Leslie Dixon (Mrs. Doubtfire)

Studio: New Line Cinema

Rated: PG (for language, some suggestive content and momentary teen smoking)

Running Time: 1 hour 47 minutes

Release Date: July 20th, 2007

[Cronos]

tried watching the original a couple of days ago and it was just aweful, this looks just as bad but it has Christopher Walken in it which means i'll have to watch it at some point :(

[Moviefan02000]

Seems GREAT! And the reviews are EXTREMELY positive. Plus, the soundtrack rocks! I'm seeing it opening night.

[Bourne101]

Can't stand movies like this. Looks horrible.

[gyro_44]

Originally posted by Bourne101
Can't stand movies like this. Looks horrible.
You mean musicals?

[Lazy Boy]

The original is charming (I can stomach "light" John Waters more than his crude, earlier works) but I never saw the musical, though if the soundtrack being played incessantly at my local Barnes and Nobles is of any indication, I might as well gag from too much cheddar overload.

[dman476]

I'm not too interested honestly but I may end up seeing it at one point or another...

But Adam Shankman = Suckage.

[Scarfather]

I like John Waters, but John Travolta in this movie disturbs me very much, I seriously get uncomfortable looking at him in costume, and I have nothing against a character cross-dressing, like I have no problem with any theme in a film if it's done right. I loved The Rocky Horror Picture Show, however in this film, for whatever reason, it's just truly disturbing and creeps me out.

[Bourne101]

Originally posted by gyro_44
You mean musicals?

Yeah, pretty much. But especially play adaptations of musicals. They drive me nuts.

[Superplasmatron]

I love the original, I am a huge fan of John Water's, Hve they turned it into a musical? It was originally a dance film, Crybaby was his musical, I think travolta looks stupid as he's got way too much prosphetics, and none can top Devine, I and think this movie is disrespectfull to his memory. I hope Water's got a shit pile of money for this as it looks really shit. It looks all wrong and there are some great cast members, but the original had waters look which was perefect, a visual treat, but anyway

I hate remakes

I advise anyone whoses interested in this to see the original instead.

[Moviefan02000]

Ugh. This is *not* a remake!!

[jolanar]

This looks so awful it makes me cringe when I see the trailer for it.

I'll be avoiding it like the plague.

[Cronos]

Trailer (http://www.apple.com/trailers/newline/hairspray/)

looks like it'll be horrendous

[Bourne101]

Originally posted by Moviefan02000
Ugh. This is *not* a remake!!

In a sense, it is, and in a sense it isn't. Either way it has the exact same story line with the exact same characters, and I assume similar music, along with the same title as another film which was released in 1988. :D

[Superplasmatron]

Originally posted by Moviefan02000
Ugh. This is *not* a remake!!


It seems so! It's got the same characters and story line as the original, john waters is credited with the screenplay, how is it not a remake?

its been remade as a musical


and without the great aesthetic of the original

[BadCoverVersion]

Originally posted by Moviefan02000
Ugh. This is *not* a remake!!

:confused: :confused: :confused:

Well it sure as shit seems like it is after a quick glance at the plot summary.

Same title, same storyline, same characters.

A few fresh songs thrown into the mix DOES NOT A NEW MOVIE MAKE!!! A remake, a re-imagining, same old...in reality the original film was perfectly fine as it was...I sincerely hope Waters is being paid top dollar or the whole fandango is just pointless.

And Travolta looks plain creepy in his prosthetics.

[Brando @$$ Fat]

Yeah, it looks like they've sucked all the fun out of the original one and just made it plain creepy.

[Moviefan1234]

Originally posted by Cronos
Trailer (http://www.apple.com/trailers/newline/hairspray/)

looks like it'll be horrendous

My thoughts exactly. It looks absolutely terrible.

[BorderEevilIII]

Remake maybe but this one is more a take on the BROADWAY version of HAIRSPRAY.....

I do see myself goin to this I just still have issues seeing TRAVOLTA prancing around in drag.

Ya know some masculine actors manage to pull it off but I just dont see it yet. Maybe when I see him/her maybe I may changed my mind though.

[IronMonkey]

Looks great! Cant wait to see Travolta and Walken's dance sequence!
I lov musicals! With the exception of the shitty RENT, I dig

Dreamgirls
Chicago
The Producers
Moulin Rouge, etc

[Hannibal21]

I'm not familiar with the broadway musical and I haven't seen the original version, but I honestly can't wait to see this, as I love musicals in general and the reviews so far have been really good.

Michelle Pfeiffer (I love her to no end) alone makes me interested in it. I'm extremely glad to see her in movies again after a 5 year absence.

[Cooper]

Looks less appealing than a donkey shit sandwich

[bankholdup]

I just saw the original a couple weeks back and loved it (8/10). I'm definitely looking forward to seeing this version of it. Looks like a fun time to me!

[ilovemovies]

It looks pretty enjoyable. But lately the musicals have sucked. Dreamgirls was awful. And The Producers was so-so. And I didn't even bother watching the very uninteresting looking Rent movie.

I hope this is a return to form for the genre and proves to be the best musical since Chicago.


Although John Travolta in drag = not funny and the clips I've seen of him singing, he sounds pretty bad.

[Moviefan02000]

Originally posted by BorderEevilIII
Remake maybe but this one is more a take on the BROADWAY version of HAIRSPRAY.....


Exactly! Just like if they made a musical version of Legally Blonde, it wouldn't be a remake. They'd simply be bringing the Broadway show to screen.

And I don't care if you guys don't want to see this. ;) It seems great, is 100% at RottenTomatoes with twenty reviews and the soundtrack is great. I'm sorry you guys won't give it a chance. :p

[ilovemovies]

It looks alright, but the reviews don't mean squat to me. Dreamgirls got great reviews I dislike that movie very much.


Also

Travolta in drag = scarier than ANY horror movie I have ever seen in my life!

[Moviefan02000]

I can't wait to see this tonight at 7:30. It will obviously be the most underrated film here of the year...

[franky4fingerz]

This fuckin movie....holyshit...WHAT THE FUCK!!!!!!!! Saw it last night and it was everything I thought it would be, a piece of shit.I feel as if my penis fell off and I grew a vagina after this movie.john travolta and christopher walken sing a love song together, thats all I'm saying. DAMN!!!

[Moviefan02000]

:rolleyes: at the person above me.

http://movies.go.com/i/movies/871579/gallery/hairspray_8.jpg

As a fan of many musicals, I wasn't pumped to see Hairspray until the extremely positive reviews started pouring in. The final product is everything you'd expect, a nice, funny, entertaining and catchy musical. Though really, it isn't much else. All of the performances are nice, though nobody really stands out. All the songs for the most part are catchy, even the ones I wasn't a fan of like "The New Girl in Town." I'm not at all a fan of that song but I'd by lying if it wasn't stuck in my head after watching the movie. It was filled with wonderful sequences, the two best performances were "Without Love" and the final song "You Can't Stop the Beat." This will be the crowd pleasing film of the summer for sure. I can't see why anybody could dislike it. Definitely see it and you won't be disappointed!

8/10 (A-)

[IronMonkey]

Originally posted by franky4fingerz
This fuckin movie....holyshit...WHAT THE FUCK!!!!!!!! Saw it last night and it was everything I thought it would be, a piece of shit.I feel as if my penis fell off and I grew a vagina after this movie.john travolta and christopher walken sing a love song together, thats all I'm saying. DAMN!!!

Then maybe you dont know anything about the movie/musical, and if you knew you'd hate it then why the hell go? Lame post :rolleyes:

[Moviefan02000]

I'm glad somebody else agrees with me. I have no problem whatsoever if someone doesn't enjoy this (though I find it hard to believe that someone could hate this, it's so entertaining) but that is honestly one of the most immature posts I've ever read on this board.

[darkface]

this definitely isn't my cup of tea. Whenever I see Travolta's character, I see 'Travolta' not the character.
But hey, I can't complain too much, I got my transformers, now it's the chick-flick's turn.

[uniquevision]

Recent review of Hairspray...I'm not sure I agree 100%.

http://www.maximonline.com/entertainment/reviews.aspx?p_id=13062&src=dx1

[Mentiroso]

Waste of film. The only Waters film needing a remake is Pink Flamingos! Fuck Hairspray!

[Moviefan02000]

Or just ignore me when I have already said this is NOT NOT NOT a remake.

[franky4fingerz]

Originally posted by IronMonkey
Then maybe you dont know anything about the movie/musical, and if you knew you'd hate it then why the hell go? Lame post :rolleyes:

well, your wrong.I like me a musical from time to time (tommy, the wall, paint your wagon).I just thought it sucked really bad.And I went cause i see it for free.: ;)

[IronMonkey]

Originally posted by Mentiroso
Waste of film. The only Waters film needing a remake is Pink Flamingos! Fuck Hairspray!

Yes, Just what cinema needs - more chicken fuckers and dog shit eaters, committed to celluloid instead of musicals... :rolleyes:

[IronMonkey]

Originally posted by franky4fingerz
well, your wrong.I like me a musical from time to time (tommy, the wall, paint your wagon).I just thought it sucked really bad.And I went cause i see it for free.: ;)

Thats where we differ - if I dont like something I dont eat it, or watch it just cuz its free.

[Cronos]

terrible film, the only remotely entertaining things were John Waters cameo which made me laugh and Walken's appearance. Travolta was just creepy

[Mentiroso]

Originally posted by IronMonkey
Yes, Just what cinema needs - more chicken fuckers and dog shit eaters, committed to celluloid instead of musicals... :rolleyes:


Musicals suck plain and simple. I would rather have more chicken fuckers and dog shit eaters any day.

[IronMonkey]

Originally posted by Mentiroso
Musicals suck plain and simple. I would rather have more chicken fuckers and dog shit eaters any day.


All I can say is I am glad people who think cinema needs more anti social behavior in such extremism as chicken fuckers and shit eaters are in the minority.

You keep Pink Flamingos..the majority with taste and not fringe kinks will enjoy

Sound of Music
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chicago
Grease
HairSpray

and bunch of other great musicals starring the likes of Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, etc

[Moviefan02000]

I really should stay away from this topic, it's really fucking pissing me off.

[Quigles]

Recent musicals I've disliked:
Dreamgirls
The Producers
Rent

Recent musicals I've kinda liked:
Chicago
Moulin Rouge

Recent musicals I've really liked:
Hairspray

And strangely enough, HAIRSPRAY was the one I'd have expected to suck the worst. Instead, I got a hugely entertaining musical with vibrant set design, a lively cast, and above all else, wonderfully rousing song-and-dance numbers.

I was considering giving it an 8 out of 10, but the film falters a bit in the third act. The whole thing with Travolta and Walken felt painfully awkward, and by the time the "marching" scene came on, I started to feel like the message couldn't possibly be any more heavy-handed. So, a 7 out of 10.

[Scarfather]

Iron Monkey needs to stop with the :rolleyes:'s.

[Mentiroso]

Originally posted by IronMonkey
.the majority with taste

Yes you got me. I dont have taste because I dont enjoy shitty, over the top musicals. You sound like one of those movie fans who have watched a few oscar nominated flicks and think all of a sudden that you are a movie critic for the NY Times. I on the other hand watch just about anything except musicals. I have given them several chances and they just never click with me. I have nothing against music in movies but I just dont enjoy a movie full of dance routines and crap music. So get off your high horse and understand that just because you think this movie is great, many people dont.

Hey look I can do it too! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Superplasmatron]

Originally posted by Mentiroso
Yes you got me. I dont have taste because I dont enjoy shitty, over the top musicals. You sound like one of those movie fans who have watched a few oscar nominated flicks and think all of a sudden that you are a movie critic for the NY Times. I on the other hand watch just about anything except musicals. I have given them several chances and they just never click with me. I have nothing against music in movies but I just dont enjoy a movie full of dance routines and crap music. So get off your high horse and understand that just because you think this movie is great, many people dont.

Hey look I can do it too! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Again with the arrogance:rolleyes:

[Mentiroso]

Originally posted by Roy L Dennis
Again with the arrogance:rolleyes:

You really do go out of your way to find my posts dont you. I know you are friends with a mod and that is why you are still around, always trying to start shit with someone. So go away and bother someone else. I do not have time to argue with you when you never make a valid point in your posts besides trying to be funny and insulting in your replies. As shown in your post above, you said nothing about the movie, you just went out of your way to try and start something. Seriously though, the rolling the eyes thing is really getting old. If you cant make a point without using a smiley go over to imdb.com and sign up there, there have plenty of members just like you.

[Scarfather]

This thread:

http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/3750/rolleyesbarfzg4lf0.gif

[Moviefan02000]

So, Mentiroso. I'm assuming you've heard the soundtrack for this since you're saying it's "crap music?"

[Mentiroso]

Originally posted by Moviefan02000
So, Mentiroso. I'm assuming you've heard the soundtrack for this since you're saying it's "crap music?"

Actually yes I have. And as much a fan as I am of Waters I never liked the original movie/soundtrack either (yes they are different). I have not seen the broadway show obviously but from what I have seen in previews and clips I wont be wasting my time on this one. Besides Walken, a shitty cast and the story isnt anything that interests me either. Maybe if I was a fan of musicals it might do something for me but I would rather just watch Chicago again because at least the actors have talent, if I had to watch a musical.

[IronMonkey]

Originally posted by Scarfather
Iron Monkey needs to stop with the :rolleyes:'s.

nah..dont think so - they're here to be used - :o ;)

[Moviefan02000]

Originally posted by Mentiroso
Actually yes I have. And as much a fan as I am of Waters I never liked the original movie/soundtrack either (yes they are different). I have not seen the broadway show obviously but from what I have seen in previews and clips I wont be wasting my time on this one. Besides Walken, a shitty cast and the story isnt anything that interests me either. Maybe if I was a fan of musicals it might do something for me but I would rather just watch Chicago again because at least the actors have talent, if I had to watch a musical.

But Chicago kind of sucked. ;)

[Mentiroso]

Originally posted by Moviefan02000
But Chicago kind of sucked. ;)


If you replace "kind of" with "100%" I would agree with you totally.
:D

[Moviefan02000]

I gave it a 5/10 ( C ). It had some decent music but my god was that movie fucking BORING.

Anyway, I downloaded this last night and watched it again earlier. I still think it's a delightful, fun musical and it's extremely underrated here. Thankfully, most people agree with me and love it.

[chinton]

Did anybody notice a lot of wonky editing at parts.

I don't think I'll ever understand the massive Chicago hatred on this board.

[Moviefan02000]

It's because nobody like musicals here because everyone is monco monco men. :p I don't like Chicago but I'm not monco monco like everyone else who disses that, along with every other musical. ;)

[travisvornoff]

i adore john waters and i love his hairspray but i dont know about this movie. im going to go see it but i doubt ill like it. and travolta creeps me out so much that i love him in it.

[Mentiroso]

Originally posted by Moviefan02000
It's because nobody like musicals here because everyone is monco monco men. :p I don't like Chicago but I'm not monco monco like everyone else who disses that, along with every other musical. ;)



I wouldnt say that. I enjoy several chick flicks. In fact I started a thread a couple of months ago on my love for Steel Magnolias in the general forums. I am sure there are some guys who will not like it just to be manly or whatever but that probably isnt the case with most of the schmoes here. Most of us have our opinions based on what we truly like or dislike, not what the general public thinks is cool, or manly, or whatever.

[SpikeDurden]

The editing was awful and the film was sloppy. The music is only decent. Travolta is tolerable, but not good by any means. Blonsky and Kelly are fantastic.

I love musicals. I ALMOST liked this one, just barely. I may see it again 'cause Blonsky and Kelly were just SO GOOD.


For the record:
I loved Dreamgirls, Chicago, Moulin Rouge, Once, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch, of recent film musicals.

I love the RENT Broadway show, the movie was meh. The Producers sucked, then again so did the Broadway show. Phantom isn't a good movie but I still like it.

[AaronisMe]

I loved the movie. It was so fun to watch, the tunes were infectious, and it made me want to dance.

Seeing John Travolta in that fat suit was gut busting. And Walken was terrific as usual. I love watching him dance.

I can't wait to see Sweeney Todd.

[Badbird]

I so predicted where this thread would go.

Grow up you pussies. Don't worry. If you happen to like a musical it doesn't make you less of a man. It doesn't make you gay. And it doesn't make your penis turn into a vagina.

Maybe try and enjoy something beyond Die Hard or Transformers for once. And before you even try and defend yourself, it's obvious that most of the big haters had their minds made up going in, so don't even bother. You can stop overcompensating.

You have to be a big old Scroodge to not find something about this movie to be entertaining. For crying out loud, the thing is so corny and genuine and earnest in it's message... shitting all over this is like making fun of the retarded kid for not winning a race.

My only complaint that, like Dreamgirls, it did go on a little too long, and as a result some of the songs started sounding the same. But in the end it was a sweet, good-hearted movie with a nice message and a great ending - a nice change of pace after getting suffocated by fireballs are car wrecks this summer.

[cletus66]

Generally I don't like musicals but I heard good things about Hairspray so I gave it a chance and I'm glad I did. Hairspray is one of the most enjoyable musicals I have ever seen. The whole cast was great and Travolta in a fat suit did not annoy me as much as I thought it would. The final act was pretty weak but it did not affect my enjoyment of the film as a whole.


8/10

[BadCoverVersion]

Originally posted by Mentiroso
I know you are friends with a mod and that is why you are still around, always trying to start shit with someone.

Somebody just pointed me in the direction of this post...and since I presume you're referring to me I'd like to set the record straight.

I moderate ONE forum and ONE forum only. If Roy is rubbing you up the wrong way and you wish to report his posts then by all means do so. However I'd appreciate it if you didn't insinuate that I was somehow keeping my fellow mods sweet or I had some sort of sway within the 'crew' or whatever the fuck you ARE actually implying. It's seriously fucking pathetic...and it winds me up no end.

By the way...this IS pretty arrogant.

"You sound like one of those movie fans who have watched a few oscar nominated flicks and think all of a sudden that you are a movie critic for the NY Times. I on the other hand watch just about anything except musicals."

That is all.

Thanks.

[Mentiroso]

Originally posted by BadCoverVersion
Somebody just pointed me in the direction of this post...and since I presume you're referring to me I'd like to set the record straight.



Gee I wonder who did that???? I honestly dont give a shit. He went out of his way to try and start shit with me which he has done on more than one occasion and I called him on it. I have seen people on these boards kicked for less so I had to put two and two together. Nice to see a mod calling a member pathetic though. Great job there chief of following the rules. And for the record I was never sure which mod it was, I just knew he was friendly with one of you. So from now on if you have a problem with me why not follow your rules and pm me. Arrogant or not, I didnt break the rules. You and your friend did.

[BadCoverVersion]

Originally posted by Mentiroso
Gee I wonder who did that???? I honestly dont give a shit. He went out of his way to try and start shit with me which he has done on more than one occasion and I called him on it. I have seen people on these boards kicked for less so I had to put two and two together. Nice to see a mod calling a member pathetic though. Great job there chief of following the rules. And for the record I was never sure which mod it was, I just knew he was friendly with one of you. So from now on if you have a problem with me why not follow your rules and pm me. Arrogant or not, I didnt break the rules. You and your friend did.

He went out of his way to try to start shit with YOU. Now what the fuck has that got to do with ME??? I've been a member of these boards for a damn sight longer than many and I sure as shit aint going to sit back and take somebody's petty mud-slinging, especially when it's completely untrue.

I said IT was pathetic...the accusation was pathetic. Lets not start twisting things around here.

You put two and two together just like you said and came up with five, and I DON'T appreciate the accusations and felt compelled to stick my oar in, it's as simple as that.

For the record, your little arch-nemesis is more than a friend, but that doesn't mean he comes crying to me every time somebody takes a swipe at him...or me for that matter. He posts whatever the hell he wants when he wants. I couldn't care less if his arse gets canned tomorrow. I'm 27 years of age, I work full time and believe it or not I've got better things to do than prevent my boyfriend getting banned from a fucking internet forum. He wasn't actually the one who directed me here...like it fucking matters.

[Mentiroso]

Originally posted by BadCoverVersion
He went out of his way to try to start shit with YOU. Now what the fuck has that got to do with ME??? I've been a member of these boards for a damn sight longer than many and I sure as shit aint going to sit back and take somebody's petty mud-slinging, especially when it's completely untrue.



Once again you were never specifically mentioned. The only reason the mod connection was brought up was because he has done this shit on several occasions and NOTHING has been done about it. My 2 and 2 add up to 4. You can take the shit personally all you want but that does not change the fact that your bf there has tried to get arguments started for nor reason but to just start something up. Most would have been banned by now but he is still around. Is not hard to see how some people (not just myself) see this as being the reason. Once again though, if you wish to keep this off topic conversation going, pm me about it and we can chat all day long about this but one of us needs to realize that this has nothing to do with Hairspray. Usually it would be the mod who points this out but this time it will have to be me.

[BadCoverVersion]

Originally posted by Mentiroso
Usually it would be the mod who points this out but this time it will have to be me.

It's rare for me to stray so far O/T but you seem to have a knack for pushing all the right buttons.

You and these "some people" you refer to should take this up with Mr JoBlo methinks. You have reason to believe I am a corrupt moderator greasing the palms of my fellow mods or some shit (???). I honestly don't know.

I'm done with this. I don't wish to exchange PM's...I'd just rather not have my rep tarnished for no valid reason (the majority of people knew you were referring to me even though you didn't mention me by name).

Anyway...

Hairspray, Hairspray, Hairspray.

I'm mondo surprised it's getting such glowing reviews...I'll probs rent it when it comes to DVD but I just don't see it topping the original.

[X-Nightcrawler]

Could someone explain why is John Travolta playing a woman?

Some subtext going over my head or something?

[Cronos]

Originally posted by X-Nightcrawler
Could someone explain why is John Travolta playing a woman?

Some subtext going over my head or something?
i'm guessing because that character was also played by a guy in the original....although Travolta may have requested the role and likes wearing dresses :p

[Moviefan02000]

Originally posted by X-Nightcrawler
Could someone explain why is John Travolta playing a woman?

Some subtext going over my head or something?

It's kind of just a tradition that a male plays the role. The original and all productions of the Broadway musical have a male playing the role.

[Superplasmatron]

Originally posted by Cronos
i'm guessing because that character was also played by a guy in the original....although Travolta may have requested the role and likes wearing dresses :p

Travolta did request the role, as he likes wearing a dress as much as he loves flying planes
The part was originaly written for Balitimore drag queen and stared in the majority of Waters films upto his death in 1988, his last role was in the 1988 film Hairspray in which he played the duel roles of Edna Turnblad/Arvin Hodgepile, I personally feel he was Edna, I have no wish to see the film, the cast looks strong and all that but it's certainly not for me.

[X-Nightcrawler]

Originally posted by Cronos
i'm guessing because that character was also played by a guy in the original....although Travolta may have requested the role and likes wearing dresses :p

Originally posted by Moviefan02000
It's kind of just a tradition that a male plays the role. The original and all productions of the Broadway musical have a male playing the role. Ah. . . well I suppose that's kinda of a good reason, then.

Stupid Travolta having fun with his job.

[athf1980]

5/5

This was one of most enjoyable movies I have seen this year. It was alot's of fun and I'm not big on musicals.

[Monotreme]

http://www.watcherswatch.com/pics/travolta_hairspray.gif

(Adam Shankman, 2007)

I have a weak spot for musicals. Be it the grand classics like Singin’ in the Rain, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof or Cabaret or be it the more contemporary modernizations like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Moulin Rouge or Chicago, there’s something about a cast of characters breaking out in spontaneous song and dance that stirs a special kind of feeling in any audience. Note that this adoration for the genre is not at all automatic: I felt that Rent (the film version) was simply excruciating. This year, like in 2001-2002, we seem to have another hiccup of resurgence for the genre: later this year we will also see Tim Burton’s macabre musical Sweeney Todd. But for now, we get Hairspray, which actually has more to do with Tim Burton than meets the eye.

First of all, I must address the simple and obvious fact that this film is just an outrageous, undeniable blast to watch. I had so much fun sitting there in the theatre, tapping my feat to the beat and to the irresistibly catchy tunes. I just knew that, had I been familiar with the songs before hand, I myself would have burst out in song, compulsively trumpeting the lyrics with much enjoyment. The film has a simply irresistible energy and beat to it, and the fast-paced, brass-band style numbers only add more to the already freight train pace the movie chugs along at. I had barely even noticed that the entire movie had passed and ended: It’s just so engrossing and so fun, you don’t even notice anymore, you just want to hear more songs and see more dance numbers. And the film more than delivers on that plane.

Like Chicago, Hairspray is a throwback musical; while Moulin Rouge shakes the very foundations of the genre, the former two entries are a lot more traditional, more of a throwback to the old MGM productions, albeit with that modern flare that makes them so unique. For a sweet, sugary, innocent musical, Hairspray actually deals with some pretty major subjects, both on the external plane and on more subtle levels as well. Of course, the whole 60’s setting and the plot of integration of blacks into the community and television is daring enough, but we have an overflowing barrel of sub-level messages dealing with sexuality, youth rebellion, Cold War McCarthyism and everything in-between. But ultimately, the film is about accepting those that are different. Here lies the Tim Burton connection: Although his style is quite different than that portrayed in Hairspray, Burton’s films are also about outcasts, outsiders and those that are different, even though his outcomes are far more melancholy and far less sugary than Hairspray, which ultimately offers a similar story of an outcast making a big change.

Not that being sugary is a bad thing – the bubble-gum style, look and feel of Hairspray is just what makes it so special. The exaggerated costumes and hairstyles, the spacious, dollhouse sets, the wacky characterizations – it’s all a part of the fun and energy of the production.

What a cast this film was blessed with. Michelle Pfeiffer still looks great as ever even at age 50; Queen Latifah, James Marsden Amanda Bynes, Allison Janney and Jerry Stiller are also always great to see. The other teen performers – Zac Efron, Elijah Kelley, Brittany Snow and the others also do a quite admirable job But the crux, of course, lies with Nikki Blonsky. I have no idea how they found her, but for a girl of her stature (and young age) not only to have such immense talent but also such confidence, is truly admirable. And then of course, there are John Travolta and Christopher Walken, both of whom are on a whole different level than the rest of the cast and whom perform their own share of singing and dancing – Travolta reminiscing the old Grease/Saturday Night Fever days albeit wearing a fat suit and in drag. The two share what is easily the best scene of the movie, when they perform “You’re Timeless to Me”.

In the end, Hairspray is just a big, bright, shimmering, candy cane of a movie. With absolutely fantastic, upbeat, fast-paced and well-written musical numbers, high production value and a stupefying all-star cast behind it, Hairspray’s relentless rhythm and pace make it just one bright, fun, fantastic ride from start to finish. Add to that the various period/social overtones, and you get a fun, relentlessly entertaining musical with a heart AND a brain. Kudos to all involved – especially director Adam Shankman who, with previous credits such as Cheaper by the Dozen 2 and The Pacifier, truly surprises.

RATING: 8/10.