Spring Break
Hairspray is even better the third time around
Issue date: 9/20/07
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Remakes are a strange breed of movie, and oftentimes they barely measure up to the original. The original 1988 film Hairspray was a John Waters cult hit that was transformed into a Broadway musical in 2002. This summer it returned to the big screen as a Hollywood blockbuster with lots of big names, big music and, most importantly, big hair.
The movie opens with a plump, seemingly delusional teenage girl named Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky), who thinks she can change the world. She moves to her own beat in her hometown (and ours), Baltimore, as she strives to become a dancer on the Corny Collins Show. When she finally succeeds, despite constant opposition from Amber and Velma von Tussle (Brittany Snow and Michelle Pfeiffer), the focus shifts to others who are about to be transported by Tracy into their own fairy tales. Tracy encourages her mother, Edna (John Travolta), to leave the house and helps her best friend, Penny (Amanda Bynes) break out of her shell. She then proceeds to desegregate the racially-torn Baltimore with the help of Motormouth Maybelle (Queen Latifah) and her kids, Seaweed J. Stubbs (Elijah Kelley) and Little Inez (Taylor Parks).
Blonsky is a refreshing face for the big screen and an all-around fantastic performer. With her cute smile and wonderful voice, she instantly charms the audience. While Amanda Bynes doesn't quite have the voice for the role as Penny, she plays a hilariously clueless best friend who ends up falling in love with Seaweed despite her mother's strict rules. Zac Efron, as Tracy's love interest, Link Larkin, did a good job acting the stuck-up snob who learns a lesson. Ultimately, he ends up falling for Tracy despite her less-than-fit physique.
Of all the young stars in the movie, though, none can compare with Elijah Kelley's performance. Not only is he the best dancer in the cast, but he possesses both an amazing voice and a unique style. His big number, "Run and Tell That," is one of the most energetic and impressive dance sequences in the entire movie.
The movie opens with a plump, seemingly delusional teenage girl named Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky), who thinks she can change the world. She moves to her own beat in her hometown (and ours), Baltimore, as she strives to become a dancer on the Corny Collins Show. When she finally succeeds, despite constant opposition from Amber and Velma von Tussle (Brittany Snow and Michelle Pfeiffer), the focus shifts to others who are about to be transported by Tracy into their own fairy tales. Tracy encourages her mother, Edna (John Travolta), to leave the house and helps her best friend, Penny (Amanda Bynes) break out of her shell. She then proceeds to desegregate the racially-torn Baltimore with the help of Motormouth Maybelle (Queen Latifah) and her kids, Seaweed J. Stubbs (Elijah Kelley) and Little Inez (Taylor Parks).
Blonsky is a refreshing face for the big screen and an all-around fantastic performer. With her cute smile and wonderful voice, she instantly charms the audience. While Amanda Bynes doesn't quite have the voice for the role as Penny, she plays a hilariously clueless best friend who ends up falling in love with Seaweed despite her mother's strict rules. Zac Efron, as Tracy's love interest, Link Larkin, did a good job acting the stuck-up snob who learns a lesson. Ultimately, he ends up falling for Tracy despite her less-than-fit physique.
Of all the young stars in the movie, though, none can compare with Elijah Kelley's performance. Not only is he the best dancer in the cast, but he possesses both an amazing voice and a unique style. His big number, "Run and Tell That," is one of the most energetic and impressive dance sequences in the entire movie.
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