HAIRSPRAY

(8.5/10)

Well you definetly can't stop this beat...the movie has already swept the critics and is sure to bring in big box office numbers over the following weeks. The story has been around for about twenty years now, John Waters, Baltimorian director, created the chubby, fearless hero TRACY TURNBLAD, played by the unbelievably talented newcomer Nikki Blonsky. She is so full of life and spunk and her singing voice is wonderful! The movie focuses on her and her best friend Penny who love to sneak peeks at their favorite musical variety show- The Corny Collin show--- conflicts with parents and the town abound on accepting the "race" music. The cast is so huge it'd be impossible to list everyone and everything about them but it was certainly great to see Michelle Pfiefer back on the big screen- she plays the sexy villian who will stop at nothing to make sure her daughter gets all the attention over Tracy and the 'negros'. Don't fear! John Travolta is perfect! Yeah it might be hard to get used to at first but he is so funny, so silly that its irresistable. His final dance scene steals the show! Amanda Bynes and Zac Efron hopefully have a nice career ahead of them- I have always been a fan of Bynes, she plays Penny to a tee. Zac didn't bother me one bit, he has such talent. The movie is just brisk and fun, some of the songs are stand outs while others would probably require more than one listen therefore slowing down the picture if only for a little. There are some real comedic highlights aside from the music- really hilarious stuff "Devil child devil child!". And the movie has a wonderful message to boot that is still vital today over these forty years later - Queen Latifah's ballad as they march the streets of Baltimore is truly powerful. Though the finale is ferocious and ends the film on a high note- I can't help but point out that I have heard "You cant stop the beat", the broadway version, and its soo explosive and amazing that it was hard not to notice the weakness of that song come movies end but even if you went through and found tons of complaints its IMPOSSIBLE not to enjoy this movie. Musicals are back yes but audiences are so much more picky with them because you've really got to nail it good and this cast does. Don't miss HAIRSPRAY, its the most fun you'll have at the movies all summer- a breath of a fresh air that deserves to be seen by all!