Pleasantly plum teenager tracy turnblad teaches 1962 baltimore a thing or two about integration after landing a spot on a local tv dance show. Studio: New Line Home Video Release Date: 11/11/2008 Starring: John Travolta Zac Efron Run time: 117 minutes Rating: Pg Director: Adam Shankman

It's rare that a movie captures the intensity and excitement of a live Broadway musical production while appealing to a broader movie-going audience, but the 2007 Hairspray is an energetic, powerfully moving film that does just that. A remake of the 1988 musical film Hairspray, the new Hairspray is a film adaptation of the 2002 Broadway musical and features more likeable characters than the original film and an incredible energy that stems from a great cast, fabulous new music, and the influence of musical producer Craig Zadan. What remains constant throughout all three versions of Hairspray is the story's thought-provoking exploration of prejudice and racism. Set in Baltimore in 1962, the film opens with chubby girl Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) singing her heart out in a rendition of "Good Morning Baltimore" that, while admittedly a bit too long, sets the farcical tone for the film. Viewers quickly become immersed in Tracy's teenage world of popular television dance shows, big hair, the stigma of being different, and the first hesitant steps toward racial integration within a segregated world. The Corny Collins (James Marsden) television dance show is a teenage obsession in Tracy's world and Link Larkin (Zac Efron) is every girl's dream partner, so when a call for auditions goes out, Tracy skips school to try out, but is rejected by station manager Velma von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer) because of her large size and the threat of competition for Velma's own daughter Amber (Brittany Snow). Perseverance and the support of her friend Penny (Amanda Bynes), father Wilbur (Christopher Walken), and negro dancer Seaweed (Elijah Kelley) lead Tracy to the spotlight and the chance of a lifetime, but more and more Tracy discovers that fairness and equality for those who are different does not come without a fight and that sacrifices must be made to effect change. While the message is serious, Hairspray is first and foremost a comedy with stellar performances by John Travolta as Edna Turnblad (who ever imagined Saturday Night Fever's iconic star would appear onscreen as a woman?), Christopher Walken, and Michelle Pfeiffer. Part of what makes Hairspray so powerful is the exceptional music composed by Marc Shaiman, including songs newly composed for the movie like "Ladies' Choice," "The New Girl in Town," and "Come So Far," and the awesome vocal talents of Queen Latifah (Motormouth Maybelle) and a cast of heretofore musically-unknown actors like Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron, and Brittany Snow who really can sing. Notable trivia includes Jerry Stiller's appearance in both versions of the film (as Wilbur in the 1988 film and as Mr. Pinky in this 2007 rendition), and a cameo appearance by 1988 director and screenplay writer John Waters. Hairspray is one of the best films of the year--it's powerfully moving entertainment that leaves you energized and motivated to fight for what you believe in. --Tami Horiuchi

Maybe a movie can be comedy, ironic satire, and musical all at once, but it's a tough balancing act to pull off.
For example, the opening song "Baltimore" should be hilarious - - the whole idea of singing in delight of a famously dull city - - but instead drags on too long and can't quite decide whether to be serious about itself. In fact, all the songs last too long. I suppose that speaks to the quality of the song writing ("is the damn thing over yet?").
Or consider the domestic scenes, exaggerated proletarian misery in wildly perky pastels. Is it supposed to be misery? Or Disney Channel comedy? or a mockery of misery? In the end it looks like they wanted to make fun of miserable conditions, while still being nice to them, but also not being too scary for the kids in the audience or offending the sponsors (god forbid the movie should have the ferocity of, ahem, a John Waters film).

Can't review the entire movie because I walked out after about 20 minutes of this idiocy.

The whole family fell asleep watching this one: wife, 3 kids, family dog, me.

We thought it would be fun because we laughed so much when we saw the original (the one with Divine).

And it marks the end of the civil rights era as far as I'm concerned. The issues are presented in such a light-weight, ho-hum, humdrum way, by such light-weight actors, that it's practically a slap in the face to anyone who really cares about civil rights.

I miss Divine.

Bought this for my niece and WE love it! If you loved the original Hairspray, you'll definitely love this remake. The cast is cute, fun to watch.

I ordered the movie for my mom to enjoy on her visit. She is a huge John Travolta and Queen Latifah fan. They did not disappoint. In fact she loves them even more now. The movie is funny, witty, and moving. I think my favorite parts are the beginning, the middle, and the end. And the music is amazing!

This is a great movie and I am happy to have the two disc to see all the extras.