movie review
Hairspray
Should you bring the kids? Yes, but it’s best for kids 7 and older. The story includes messages about fitting in and racial unrest in the 60’s, but it’s all done in a light-hearted, family-friendly way. For more info, see “Bringing the Kids” below.
THE STORY: It’s the 1960s and the nation is hooked on TV dance shows. Tracy Turnblad (the adorable Nikki Blonsky) is a chubby teenager who dreams of appearing on “The Corny Collins’ Show,” Baltimore’s hippest dance show.
Tracy and her best friend, Penny Pingleton (Amanda Bynes) race home after school every day to dance along with the show. She’d love to dance on the actual show, but her plus-sized figure has always set her apart from the cool crowd. And her loving, but overly protective plus-sized mother, Edna (John Travolta, who spent four hours getting into his fat suit and makeup every day), doesn’t want her daughter to get hurt.
But that doesn’t stop Tracy, because this girl was born to dance. Fortunately, she has the support of her dad, Wilbur (Christopher Walken) who tells her, “Go for it! You’ve got to think big to be big!” The family doesn’t have a lot of money—Wilbur runs a novelty joke shop, and Edna takes in laundry.
After wowing Corny Collins (James Marsden) with her moves – some of which she picked up from the “Negro” students at school—Tracy wins a coveted spot on the show and becomes an instant sensation. This doesn’t sit well with the show’s reigning princess, Amber Von Tussle (Brittany Snow), and her scheming mother, Velma (Michelle Pfeiffer), the former Miss Baltimore Crabs beauty queen and current owner of the Baltimore TV station on which “The Corny Collins Show” airs.
Amber is further humiliated when her sweetheart, Link Larkin (Zac Efron) takes a shine to Tracy. The dance party gets personal as a bitter feud erupts between the girls.
Adding star power is Allison Janney as Prudy Pingleton; Jerry Stiller as Mr. Pinky; and Queen Latifah as hip DJ Motormouth Maybelle. She hosts the show’s once-a-month “Negro Day.”
Directed by Adam Shankman (Bringing Down the House, The Pacifier), this movie is based on the Tony Award winning show, Hairspray, which debuted on Broadway in 2002 and won a total of eight awards, including Best Score, Best Director, and Best Musical. In turn, the Broadway show was based on the 1988 cult-classic movie directed by John Waters.
This is a fun, happy movie, and Nikki Blonsky is a joy to watch. In keeping with the Hollywood breakthrough storyline, she actually had to quit her job at an ice cream store to play the part of Tracy!
BRINGING THE KIDS:
PRESCHOOLERS (ages 2-5): This movie is too grown-up for little ones, but there’s no shortage of musical DVDs for preschoolers. Start with The Backyardigans: Movers and Shakers, which includes four episodes of the popular Nick, Jr. show. Each story features lush 3-D landscapes, colorful animation, and snappy tunes – everything from Big Band to Reggae to Rockabilly. And the dance numbers were actually choreographed with real dancers and then recreated with the animated characters. Cute!
GRADE-SCHOOLERS (ages 6 - 10): While there’s a bit of suggestive content (some kissing between characters), this movie is ok for kids 7 and older. It’s very light-hearted and moves along quickly, so kids won’t get bored. The racial unrest of the 1960’s is here, but we’re not conked over the head with it. Kids who are really into music and dancing will especially love this movie. It’s a fun throwback to good, old-fashioned musical comedies with star-struck teenagers and snappy dance numbers.
TWEEN / TEEN (ages 11+): While this movie has an undercurrent of racial and social issues, it’s balanced out with Tracy’s can-do attitude about life. It’s ok to break out of your mold, try something new, and shoot for the stars. And the music is fabulous, with one catchy tune after another, blending easily into the storyline – including Nikki’s “Good Morning Baltimore,” Zac’s “It Takes Two,” and the ensemble number, “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” You’ll leave the theater with a big smile on your face, and that’s always a good thing.
SCORE: 3.5 out of 4 Reels.
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