A Look Back #3: Hairspray

A Look Back:

#3

'A Look Back' is a place where 'Movie Freak 77' reviews old movies, which he considers them one of his favorite movies. Hope you will enjoy these reviews. 

And Don't Forget: 'ENJOY BEING MOVIE FREAKED!"

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Review: Hairspray
Do NOT forget to rate and comment on this post when you finish.

Official "Hairspray" Poster.

      Being listed as one of the favorite movies of 2007, 'Hairspray' really did baffled many on how much fun it was, and how beautiful the performances and acting were.

"Nikki Blonsky".

"Christopher Walken" and
"John Travolta".

      Set in 1962 Baltimore, 'Tracy Turnblad'(Nikki Blonsky) a cheerful and overweight girl, who hated school, waits every day to watch with her best friend 'Penny Pingleton'(Amanda Bynes) 'The Corny Collins Show'. ' The Corny Collins Show' is a teen dance show from local station WYZT which is hosted by 'Corny Collins'(James Marsden) and includes students that go to the same school as 'Tracy'. Among these kids we have lead male dancer on the show 'Link Larkin'(Zac Efron) and 'Amber Von Tussle'(Brittany White), whose racist mother 'Velma Von Tussle'(Michelle Pfeiffer) is the manager of the WYZT station. When she tries to get on the show 'Tracy' will realize that the show wasn't what she envisioned. And here a entertaining musical movie will commence. Other characters include 'Tracy''s parents 'Edna Turnblad'(John Travolta) and 'Wilbur Turnblad'(Christopher Walken), 'Negro Day' host 'Maybelle'(Queen Latifa), her children 'Seaweed J. Stubbs'(Elijah Kelley) and 'Little Inez Stubbs'(Taylor Parks), and 'Penny''s catholic mother 'Prudy Pingleton'(Allison Janney).

"Zac Efron", "James Marsden" and
"Brittany Snow".

"Amanda Bynes" and
"Allison Janney".

      After the success of the Broadway Musical 'Hairspray', many studios wanted to adapt it onto the big screen. And what an adaptation, most of those who watched the musical can vouch that the movie was as spectacular as the musical. Although many changes were made when the script was being written, for example changing the song on which 'Tracy' impresses 'Corny' so that he includes her to the show. And there are many more examples. But I think these changes made the movie its own thing and at the same time it was able to please the audience.

"John Travolta" and "Nikki Blonsky".

"Zac Efron" and "Brittany Snow".

      "Adam Shankman", who is known for his work as a director in movies like 'A Walk to Remember' and as choreographer in 'Step Up' and 'Step Up 2: The Streets', did an amazing job with this movie. His directing style suited really well this type of movie, and in some way helped put the movie in its period. Furthermore, I think this movie shifted him from his previous work, as he dealt with comedy and the mature elements of the movie in a very clever way. The dance moves of the movie were really good and helped elevate the movie furthermore. The script was good and decent and the writers did a good job, considering that this type of movies does not depend too much on the script but on the musical performances. The music was fantastic, and both "Marc Shaiman" and "Scott Wittman" did a good job making changes on the music to fit the movie, as well as making new music for the movie.

"Michelle Pfeiffer", "James Marsden"
and "Taylor Parks".

"Elijah Kelley" and "Taylor Parks".

      The opening number was a very good way to introduce us newcomer "Nikki Blonsky" and it was enjoyable. And after that the movie's pace was really good and each character and story element was given in my opinion its fair share. Now my best performances of the movie were 'Good Morning Baltimore', 'The Nicest Kids in Town', 'Ladies’ Choice', 'Welcome to the 60's', 'Without Love' and 'You Can't Stop the Beat'. All of these performances were done very good. The performances that I liked less were 'I Know Where I've Been' since I thought it was a bit forced, and 'The New Girl in Town'. The ending was predictable but still fun to watch.

"John Travolta" and "Queen Latifa".

"Amanda Bynes" and "Nikki Blonsky".

      Moving on to the cast, this cast was one of the best and talented movie cast I have seen in a while. And the chemistry between all the actors was incredibly entertaining. I am going to start with the younger cast and then move on to the older cast mates. For a movie debut, "Nikki Blonsky" definitely impressed many. She did a really good job, and it was a nice move by the producers to have chosen a new fresh face to play the role of 'Tracy'. And to be able to perform at the same level as her co-actors, we must commend her. "Amanda Bynes" also was perfect as 'Penny', although at the beginning her character wasn't showing too much. But when it did, she showed her excellent comedic talents. "Zac Efron" also impressed, and it was his first role after 'High School Musical' which made him extremely famous. He did a very good job, and even though he played the hunky guy, he was convincing.

"Christopher Walken" and
"Michelle Pfeiffer".

"Elijah Kelley", "Zac Efron",  "Amanda
Bynes" and "Nikki Blonsky".

      "Brittany Snow" wasn't able to show her singing skills like she did with her acting, where she played her part very well. "Elijah Kelley" did an ok job in the acting department but excelled in the singing part, while "Taylor Parks" was brought for her dancing skills. Moving on to the older cast, "John Travolta" was perfect for the role of 'Edna'. He played the role very well and was extremely funny. "Michelle Pfeiffer" was great and gave us the best villainess act possible. "Christopher Walken" was an odd choice for me personally. Yes he did a good job, but he didn't convince me in this part. "James Marsden" was the guy to play 'Corny', even though his part was somehow limited. As for "Queen Latifa", she gave a good performance, though it wasn't 100% equal all the time. And finally, I would have loved if the writers gave "Allison Janney" a bigger role to play in this movie.

      In the end, 'Hairspray' was a successful musical movie, that many enjoyed watching it and gave a good on screen interpretation to the Broadway Musical. And I do encourage people to watch it if they are looking for a good and entertaining movie.

-"Hairspray" Info:

-Release Date: July 20, 2007.
-Starring: Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, Zac Efron, Queen Latifa, Brittany Snow, James Marsden, Elijah Kelley, Allison Janney, and Taylor Parks.

-Based on: 2002 Broadway Musical 'Hairspray'.

-Studio(s): New Line Cinema and Ingenious Media.

-Directed by: Adam Shankman.

-Music by: Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

-Running Time: 116 minutes.

-Budget: $ 75,000,000.

-Box Office: -Domestic(US): $ 118,871,849.

                       -Foreign: $ 83,676,726.

-Rating: -IMdb: 6.8/10.

                -Rotten Tomatoes: 91%.

                -Metacritic: 81%.

     

                -PERSONAL RATING: 8.3/10.

-"Hairspray" Trailer: