Hairspray DVD Review

"Hairspray" reviews

DVD

Hairspray

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2007-11-16 16:53:32

Provider

DVD Review

Just as The Producers went from cult film to musical and back to film, so did Hairspray - and if the box office takings were anything to go by, it was a successful move.

This adaptation of John Walters' original story of big hair, bitchiness and bigotry in early '60s Baltimore sees Nikki Blonsky play bubbly, plump high schoolgirl Tracy Turnblad (originally made famous by Ricki Lake) who longs to show off her dance skills on TV.

John Travollta wears a fat suit to play Nikki's encouraging mum Edna Turnblad - but despite the extra meat, there is plenty more room for him to ham up the role even more.

Michelle Pfeiffer - who has transformed herself into Hollywood's favourite villainess - is the racist, ageing beauty queen and TV producer Velma Von Tussle, set against Tracy's idea of integrating blacks and whites on her TV pop show.

And Christopher Walken demonstrates impressive hoofing skills as Tracy's Dad. This is the best piece of work from Adam Shankman, the film's director and choreographer (though that's not saying much for the maker of Cheaper by the Dozen 2 and The Pacifier).

Extras include new musical number I Can't Wait; feature-length audio commentary from director and choreographer Adam Shankman, star Nikki Blonsky and producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron; deleted scenes; a documentary called You Can’t Stop the Beat: The Long Journey of Hairspray. There are also featurettes with dance routine instructions.