Welcome to the 60s: A review of Hairspray

Hairspray is the story of an ambitious, pleasantly plump teenager Tracy Turnblad and her quest to be a regular on the Corny Collins Show and to integrate television in Baltimore. Tracy's hair is as big as her dreams and she sings and dances her way through the musical bliss that is Hairspray. It is also a tribute/satire of 60s culture that brings out the best of nostalgia from the era. This latest adaptation of a Broadway hit comes as a blessing after the disappointing results of Rent and Dreamgirls.

It is a fun story, but it is mostly about the characters who are larger than life (in more than one way). The innocence of the Bandstand era and the civil rights movement are some of the film's major themes, but mostly it is just so much fun. The music is fantastic, as well as all the performers in the film. Forget, Jennifer Hudson, Nikky Blonsky does a much better job in her screen debut as the idealistic teen than Hudson's underwhelming Effie. The young talent in this film is fresh and very entertaining. Queen Latifah is great as the host of "Negro Day", Motormouth Maybelle. She brings the soul. Michelle Pfeiffer is equally good as Ms. von Tussle, the hilariously villianous owner of the television station. But the most memorable performances are from John Travolta and Christopher Walken. Travolta plays Tracy's mother Edna who is "welcomed to the 60s" by her daughter. Travolta is hilarious and still sings and dances fabulously. And then there is Christopher Walken as Wilbur, Edna's husband. I don't think words can properly describe the Walken experience. He is in his own league.

The great talent and fun, energetic songs make for some fantastic musical numbers. The most memorable are "Welcome to the 60s", "Good Morning Baltimore", and of course "You Can't Stop the Beat". The director Adam Shankman also choreographed the dance numbers, which are energetic, fresh, and make you want to join in on the fun.

Hairspray is over-the-top musical fun and is a pleasure to watch. It's the closest you can come to seeing the Broadway show without going to New York.

Rating: I loved it!