Hairspray (2007)

Overall rating from 1 to 100: 68

O Masterpiece (95-100)
O Excellent (75-94)
X Good video rental (60-74)
O Merely OK (50-59)
O Pure mediocrity (30-49)
O Medusa: don't watch (1-29)

Review by Jason Pyles / July 28, 2007

There are three things that you should know about “Hairspray”: It’s a musical; John Travolta dresses in drag; and believe it or not, it’s surprisingly good.

“Hairspray” is a significant movie. Why? Its leading lady isn’t Hollywood’s typical, pencil-thin actress. Newcomer Nikki Blonsky plays Tracy Turnblad, and she has just as much onscreen charisma as Jessica Biel ... well, almost as much.

Unfortunately, “Hairspray” disappointingly resorts to plenty of fat jokes but still (not-so-disappointingly) includes Michelle Pfeiffer, just in case.

It’s 1962 in Baltimore and the Civil Rights Movement is well underway. Even so, segregation prevails over integration, especially on television.

“The Corny Collins Show,” a local, teenage, dance TV program, is all the rage for after-school audiences. The show’s dance cast is all white — except when it’s “Negro Day,” and the host and dancers are all black.

Tracy (Nikki Blonsky) is one of the show’s biggest fans. One day, when the program’s dance team has an opening, Tracy decides to audition. We follow her adventures as she attempts to dance her way onto the program and integrate black and white dancers on television.

“Hairspray” is truly funny, energetic and entertaining. Above all, it’s a happy, feel-good movie. As characters in musicals typically do, this cast breaks into song for 15 catchy show tunes.

There are two downsides to being a movie critic: bad movies and having to knowingly subject one’s self to bad movies. I mistakenly thought “Hairspray” would qualify to afflict me with both, but I can warmly recommend this movie.

Besides, how many flicks have John Travolta and Christopher Walken dancing around onscreen together like they’re in love? But then, I guess “I Pronounce You Chuck and Larry” (which is also in theaters) has Adam Sandler and Kevin James doing the same thing.

Things sure have changed since 1962.

Directed by Adam Shankman
Nikki Blonsky / John Travolta / Michelle Pfeiffer
117 min. Musical
MPAA: PG (for language, some suggestive content and momentary teen smoking)

Copyright 2007.
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