MovieMantz Review: ‘Hairspray’

“Let Your Hair Down!”
by Scott Mantz

“Hairspray”
Starring: Nikki Blonsky, Michelle Pfeiffer, John Travolta
Directed by: Adam Shankman

There’s no question about it: “Hairspray” is, by far, the most fun you’ll have at the movies all summer long. The big screen version of the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit musical, which itself was based on the 1988 cult classic directed by John Waters, is a groovy, bouncy, irresistible slice of pop-culture that will leave a smile on your face for hours, if not for days.

The year is 1962, and Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) is an idealistic young girl whose plus-sized frame is topped by her towering hairstyle and a huge passion for dancing. She dreams of hitting the big time on Baltimore’s top TV dance party, “The Corny Collins Show,” but she doesn’t fit in with the “cool” crowd, and her over-protective mother (John Travolta) thinks it’s a bad idea.

But when she wins a spot on the show and becomes an overnight sensation, she draws the ire of Velma Von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer), the show’s mean-spirited producer, and her snobby daughter Amber (Brittany Snow), whose dreamboat boyfriend (Zac Efron) falls for Tracy. But that’s nothing compared to Tracy’s biggest challenge – integrating “The Corny Collins Show,” which is segregated by racial inequality. Will Tracy bite off more than she can chew, or can she sing and dance her way into the heart of Baltimore?

Compared to other recent musicals, “Hairspray” is better than most. Unlike 2004’s “The Phantom of the Opera” and 2005’s “The Producers,” it retains its vibrancy in its transition from the stage to the big screen. And where 2002’s “Chicago” and last year’s “Dreamgirls” were touted as Oscar contenders from the start, “Hairspray” doesn’t even try to carry that kind of baggage. Having fun is the name of the game here, and “Hairspray” plays it exceptionally well, thanks to energetic dance numbers and a positive message that doesn’t get too heavy.

Speaking of heavy, this is the second time in as many years that a plus-sized actress dominated her feature film debut – and in a musical, no less. Last year, Jennifer Hudson won an Oscar for her incredible work in “Dreamgirls,” but in “Hairspray,” 18-year-old Nikki Blonsky is so perky and confident, it’s hard to believe that this is her first movie. From the moment she opens her eyes to sing “Good Morning Baltimore” to the show-closing “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” Blonsky charms the pants off everyone who crosses her path.

It’s a big cast, but everyone gets more than enough time to shine. That includes Michelle Pfeiffer, who’s deliciously evil as the wicked TV producer, while Brittany Snow fits right in as her spoiled-rotten daughter. “High School Musical” sensation Zac Efron is terrific as the object of Blonsky’s affection, as is Christopher Walken, who’s hysterical as her father. Queen Latifah and James Marsden are also strong as the dance show hosts, while Amanda Bynes is charming as Blonsky’s uptight best friend.

The biggest problem lies with the character with whom “Hairspray” has now become synonymous: Edna Turnblad, memorably played by Divine in the 1988 film and Harvey Fierstein in the Broadway show. In the new version, the novelty of seeing John Travolta in a fat suit wears off pretty fast, leaving a performance that lacks the campy fun that the previous actors brought to the role. He’s not terrible, but after all the buildup to see the iconic star of “Grease” and “Saturday Night Fever” in drag, the results are noticeably underwhelming.

But why nit-pick one element when everything else is so great? Director/Choreographer Adam Shankman (“Bringing Down the House”) and screenwriter Leslie Dixon (“Freaky Friday”) have given Marc Shaiman’s original music a refreshing, good-natured conduit. And it couldn’t have come at a better time for its distributor, New Line, which hasn’t had a hit since 2005’s “The Wedding Crashers.” That makes “Hairspray” a win-win situation for everyone, especially for moviegoers, who are guaranteed to have a groovy good time.

VERDICT: SEE IT!