Early Hairspray Movie Review
Early Hairspray Movie Review
mejusthavingfun
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/12/06
#1Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 5/22/07 at 12:19pm
Sorry not sure if this was posted, but just read it on AICN.com. SPOILER ALERT!
A Short Review From An Early Screening Of HAIRSPRAY!
Hey, everyone. ”Moriarty” here.
Look, I’ve never been shy about my dislike of the films that Adam Shankman has directed so far. CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN 2. THE PACIFIER. BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE. THE WEDDING PLANNER. That’s not a filmography... it’s a list of hate crimes against cinema.
But I’ll admit that the new trailer for HAIRSPRAY actually looks... dare I say it... good. Shankman may not be a great filmmaker, but he’s been a choreographer for a long time, and I think his background in dance may actually make him the right guy for this particular job.
Don’t take my word for it, though. Here’s a review from a recent screening in Las Vegas:
Hey Harry! Last night I was invited to see an advanced screening of Hairspray: the movie musical. The screening was being run by a company called "The Screening Exchange" I originally got the ticket from representatives after seeing the film 300 at a Las Vegas theater. Okay I'll just get right into it for you (not much for foreplay, you know).
In Line:
As we waited for admittance to the screening we were asked to fill out surveys based on our age/personality. Some of the questions were:
Did you see High School Musical?
How do you feel about John Travolta playing a woman?
We were then searched by security with metal detectors and were allowed into the theater.
In the theater:
The head cheese of the screening spoke to the audience assuring us that we were the first audience to see the film (which i thought was pretty cool).
Clearly the people behind this film are really trying to capture a younger audience because there were plenty of minors around me.
There was a camera set up to catch audience reaction (like most New Line Screenings).
The Film:
So I'm a pretty big John Waters fan, and loved the original film. I never got the chance to see the musical so I was pretty excited about it.
*****SPOILERS BELOW*******
The film starts off with an upbeat musical number called "Good Morning Baltimore" (with a cameo by john waters) that shows Tracy wandering the streets of Baltimore on her way to school. There are some great sight gags, and the song is great. This sets the pace and tone for the rest of the film. It's speedy, relentless and never lets up. There's constant witty dialog and patter.
The Main Actors:
Nicole Blonski (Tracy Turnblad): This is Nicole's first film, but watch out, she's one to watch. She's a great young actress with incredible subtlety. Her Singing voice is also amazing, and she can shake a mean calf.
Amanda Bynes (Penny Pingleton): I wasn't too sure about about playing Penny, while she's decent and has minimal lines, she comes off too modern-day Jessica Simpson-esque.
Christopher Walken: (Wilbur Turnblad) Tracy's dad and owner of the local joke shop. I can't praise him enough in this role. He's classic Walken, enthusiastic and inspiring. There's a great scene during the reprise of "Big Blond and Beautiful" where Michelle Phiper is trying to seduce him as he tries out different gags on her to distract her.
Michelle Pfeiffer: (Velma Von Tussel): Manager of the TV station that runs "The Corny Collins Show" and former winner of the title "Miss Maryland Crab". This woman is a child hearted penguin up the vagina BITCH. This will be Pfeiffier's comeback role for sure. Only concerned about making her daughter famous and stopping integration and "Negro Day",. she' actively tries to keep Tracy out of the spotlight. one of here more notable lines of the move come during the "Miss hairspray Pageant" Officer: "I dont think Tracy would risk incarceration just to enter a pageant, Ms. Von Tussel" Von Tussel: "Are you kidding me? I've risked communicable disease just to win pageants!"
Queen Latifah: (Motor Mouth Maybelle): Considering all the crap that Latifah has been turning out lately it's nice to see her back in her musical niche. She actually comes off as more of a minor character in the film, letting Tracy take the stage. Her big number is "Big blond and Beautiful" which is awesome and includes a parade of jive-talkers carrying cornbread, ribs and collard greens.
Jerry Stiller (Mr. Pinky): Stiller is only in one real scene of the film (looks like most of the "Sponsoring" of Tracy By Mr. Pinky was cut out of the film) The only lines he has is during the prelude to "Welcome to the 60s".
John Travolta (Edna Turnblad): Well I hate to say it, but John Travolta is a mixed bag in this film. The entire first half of the film he's very stiff and seems uncomfortable in his role. He tries to emulate a Baltimore accent but ends up sounding like some horrible impression of Austin Powers...literally. However, as the film progresses, so does his comfort in the role. He has some shining moments and the audience was certainly eating him up. The fat suit is decent, but makeup was definitely lacking (we were told at the beginning of the film that the makeup of Travolta would be added in during further post production). He gets the point across and in some scenes is pretty convincing, but sill I think Harvey Firestien would have been a better choice for the role.
So what's different from this film and the non-musical version?
Well there's quite a bit of difference, mainly with the story. The original film was more over the top with some great scenes such as Debby harry and the giant zit and the Giant wig bomb. These things are not in the musical version. My biggest gripe is that the whole sub story of racially integrating the amusement park had been completely removed and replaced with a rather weak protest march on the television station. While this does save time and really speeds up the film it really changes the tone of the film. Instead of a lighthearted feel good story we're left with a film that is trying to be poignant. While there's no doubt that you'll leave the film feeling good, it just seems to be trying too hard at times.
In closing I'd like to say that really, people should look at this new film as a completely different story. While it may have the same message and characters, it's a completely different experience.
Definitely a film to catch when it comes out!
-Will D'angelo
The Wiicast
Source!
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#2re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 5/22/07 at 12:43pm
"(we were told at the beginning of the film that the makeup of Travolta would be added in during further post production). "
WTF? Are they fixing it with CGI? Obviously then he didn't turn out the way they were hoping.
"TheatreDiva90016 - another good reason to frequent these boards less."<<>>
“I hesitate to give this line of discussion the validation it so desperately craves by perpetuating it, but the light from logic is getting further and further away with your every successive post.” <<>>
-whatever2
mateo
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/06
#2re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 5/22/07 at 12:53pm
Well I hate to say it, but John Travolta is a mixed bag in this film. The entire first half of the film he's very stiff and seems uncomfortable in his role.
However, as the film progresses, so does his comfort in the role. He has some shining moments and the audience was certainly eating him up.
- A film is not shot in order- so this doesnt really hold up.
I wrote a similar thing in my yet unseen review-
In the movie Edna's makeover in W260's is just as much an internal makeover as it is external. Edna starts out - sluggish and unsure of herself and by the end is a giant fire ball of extroverted energy.
This is most likely what he was picking up on. Like everyone else- I had my doubts about Travolta- but he really did capture something wonderful. I , of course was very open to him from the start- I still had my reservations- but seeing the movie, he exceeded all my expectations. and teh reviewer has it right - the audience really does eat Edna up.
I think when the movie is released we will hear less about how the movie adapted the broadway show and more about how it relates to the original film. It's a completely different experience- and I hope people will be able to see it that way.
But they cant help it - the movie is what people most know. Unless your Oprah. Who didnt know it at all.
"Zac is sweet as can be. He's very much just a sweet kid from California who happens to have a face that looks like it was drawn by Michelangelo, (if Michelangelo did anime)."
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
lindas13
Understudy Joined: 4/2/06
#3re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 5/22/07 at 12:59pmI will start with I have not seen anything. Feinstein(sp) would be great in the Travolta role, I just know.and Latifa. I love her ..what is crap she has done lately? the message in Beauty Shop and the performance I enjoyed. Last Holiday had a GREAT message as well.Taxi was funny. I love her so much she is just fun. (if that is allowed)! fun I mean.
#4re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 5/22/07 at 1:01pmThe crap she has done is Taxi, Bringing Down the House, and the Last Holiday.
"Sing the words, Patti!!!!" Stephen Sondheim to Patti LuPone.
BDrischBDemented
Broadway Star Joined: 11/13/05
#5re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 5/22/07 at 1:02pm
Yesss. I can't wait to see the first CGI drag character on screen, then.
I would have probably liked the review better coming from someone who was comparing it to the musical as opposed to the original film. I mean, comparison will be inevitable, but the movie and the stage show are two different things.
"Your lyrics lack subtlety! You can't just have your characters announce how they feel! That makes me feel angry!"
avab802
Broadway Star Joined: 5/17/06
#6re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 5/22/07 at 1:17pm
I am really looking forward to this movie. I'm more a fan of the original movie than the stage show (don't get me wrong, I like the show a lot, but I grew up with that movie) so it's interesting to read a review that compares the musical film to the original film.
I'm also happy to read that John Waters has a cameo here as well. I wonder what it is and if he sings - that would be classic. If you can't already tell, I am a Waters fan.
Fosse76
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/21/05
#7re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 5/22/07 at 1:45pmIt has been well-publicized that John Waters plays "the flasher who lives next door." He does not sing.
#8re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 5/22/07 at 2:06pm
Is this a NEW reviews.. as in, a recent cut of the film? Because if it's the cut that they saw around the time of SHOwest, then I believe it was a rough edit and therefor changing in several ways..
I believe that Marc is still mixing the soundtrack for the film, for example. And I'm not sure the whole film was color corrected, etc back in Vegas...
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka
mejusthavingfun
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/12/06
#9re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 5/22/07 at 2:10pmThe Oprah audience saw it, I was looking for a review from there.... Though I bet they had to sign some binding release.
mateo
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/06
#10re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 5/22/07 at 2:58pm
Craig- this is a rather old review. I read it on IGN nearly days after the first las vegas screening.
It still is in a rough edit- but I am sure what I saw last week looks better than what it did at the first screening.
"Zac is sweet as can be. He's very much just a sweet kid from California who happens to have a face that looks like it was drawn by Michelangelo, (if Michelangelo did anime)."
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
#11re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 5/22/07 at 3:55pmSome shows translate well to the big screen but this one, I don't know.
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#12re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 5/22/07 at 3:59pmThis doesn't even look like a review, it looks like a blog.
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
mateo
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/06
#13re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 5/22/07 at 4:05pm
it wasn't even originally a blog - it was just a post on an IGN board.
"Zac is sweet as can be. He's very much just a sweet kid from California who happens to have a face that looks like it was drawn by Michelangelo, (if Michelangelo did anime)."
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
Updated On: 5/22/07 at 04:05 PM
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
mateo
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/06
#14re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 6/1/07 at 10:38am
I thought I would keep this thread going- as more and more early reviews come out.
Here is one from FOX news this morning:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,277008,00.html
And yet, you really have to see Travolta to believe him, especially toward the end of “Hairspray” when he finally lets loose — dressed in a fat suit as a woman in a red tutu and high heels — and dances up a storm in the film’s finale. He’s remarkable.
I don’t know if it’s an Oscar performance, but I do know that when “Hairspray” is shown in big theaters (I saw it in a screening room, still a little unfinished), audiences are going to go wild with cheers and whistles.
"Zac is sweet as can be. He's very much just a sweet kid from California who happens to have a face that looks like it was drawn by Michelangelo, (if Michelangelo did anime)."
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#15re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 6/1/07 at 11:34am
So many fact errors -- oy!
1) Circa 1959.
2) Jerry Stiller reprises his role from the 1988 film.
Double-oy!
#16re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 6/1/07 at 11:48am
"Yesss. I can't wait to see the first CGI drag character on screen, then."
The first?
Then clearly, you've never met Bugs Bunny...
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=972787#3631451
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=963561#3533883
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=955158#3440952
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=954269#3427915
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=955012#3441622
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?thread=954344#3428699
BrodyFosse123
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/06
#17re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 6/1/07 at 11:51am
Um, Bugs Bunny is/was a cel animation -- NOT CGI (Computer Graphic Image). Computers weren't doing animation back in the 1940's -- human beings were painting those animation cels by hand.
#18re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 6/1/07 at 12:05pm
Guys, let me help you if you are so eager for an early review...
THE MOVIE TURNED OUT FABULOUS!!
Everyone in it gives a pitch perfect performance.
It takes about two minutes to get over the shock of seeing and hearing Travolta...but by the end of his first scene that ends with his plea for Wilbur to talk to Tracy, he has the audience in the palm of his hand. If you need to, you can go ahead and try to resist him, but why bother? He's fabulous in the role.
The 2 months I spent orchestrating and scoring the movie, days where I had to spend literally 18 hours staring at and taking in the performances were just about the two most glorious months of my life. Especially Edna's scenes.
I'd like to think you guys on a musical theatre chat board will be very excited that, so far, the audiences that have seen the movie seem to have absolutely NO TROUBLE with the fact that they are experiencing a real "old-fashioned" musical, one where characters sing with no "explanation", no "concepts" to qualify why they are singing and dancing. I know I have been overwhelmed by this.
I'm also overwhelmed by the reaction because the audiences that have reacted this way have been MUCH more culturally diverse than the typical audience in a Broadway theatre. That has been the greatest thrill so far.
Meanwhile, we only yesterday started the FINAL dub of the movie, with all the final recordings, mixes, images, sound effects, etc...
So may I suggest, instead of putting every pic or clip under a microscope of modern skepticism (which, of course, is your right), use your energy towards picking out a fabulous outfit to wear to Opening Weekend! And enjoy yourselves!
Ok, I'll shut up,
Marc (Shaiman)
p.s. yeah, I co-wrote the thing and have every reason to champion it, (or be a "shill", to use that ugly word) but believe me, if it stank I would be being very quiet right now, trying to disappear into a hole somewhere.
#19re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 6/1/07 at 12:09pmCongratulations, Marc. I am very excited about opening weekend. I am thrilled to hear that the film turned out great, and that you are pleased with it. Best of luck on all your future endeavors.
mateo
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/06
#20re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 6/1/07 at 12:36pm
go marc go!
make that deadline- I want my cd July 10!
:)
-can we request for the soundtrack to be released on a limited edition vinyl LP. That would be awesome. It's so fitting- ya know 1962 and all. ok im done now.
"Zac is sweet as can be. He's very much just a sweet kid from California who happens to have a face that looks like it was drawn by Michelangelo, (if Michelangelo did anime)."
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
#21re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 6/1/07 at 1:08pmmateo, they did it for drowsy chaperone, and even titanic, i dont see why they cant do it for hairspray ; )
"I mean, sitting side by side with another man watching Patti LuPone play Rose in GYPSY on Broadway is essentially the equivalent of having hardcore sex." -Wanna Be A Foster.
"Say 'Goody.' Say 'Bubbi.'" ... "That's it. Exactly as if it were 'Goody.' Now I know you're gonna sing 'Goody' this time, but nevertheless..."
mateo
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/8/06
#22re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 6/1/07 at 1:19pm
really? cool!
I just think it would be a great promo item.
It's something for the die-hards, collectors and older fans.
The HSM-aged fans- not so much. "What's vinyl?"
"Zac is sweet as can be. He's very much just a sweet kid from California who happens to have a face that looks like it was drawn by Michelangelo, (if Michelangelo did anime)."
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
-Adam Shankman.
"I haven't left this building since Windows 3.1!"
"Celebrating a birthday this week: Rene Descartes is 412! Do you know who he is? Then why are you watching this show? You could probably get into college and even get one of those job things. As for the rest of us; Amanda Bynes is 22! Yay!"
-E!'s "The Soup"
#23re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 6/1/07 at 1:27pm
I'd like to think you guys on a musical theatre chat board will be very excited that, so far, the audiences that have seen the movie seem to have absolutely NO TROUBLE with the fact that they are experiencing a real "old-fashioned" musical, one where characters sing with no "explanation", no "concepts" to qualify why they are singing and dancing. I know I have been overwhelmed by this.
Marc, I saw the film last night.
Without going into full detail, I'd have to say that was my one gripe with the film.
I felt like the full-scale musical numbers didn't begin until "Run and Tell That," which is pretty late in an "old-fashioned" musical to start.
The reason I say this is because that was the first scene that the "musical like" action was taking place in an everyday setting (detention) and all of the characters were involved and the singing and dancing continued from the classroom to the school-yard dance break (genius!), the bus and then the record shop.
Although the mix and vocals as well as the visuals of "Good Morning Baltimore" are great, I would have liked to see the people on the streets that Tracy encounters to get involved. Instead she seems to be in a musical and everyone else is just walking by not wondering why, but almost seeming to ignore her.
The other scenes up until R&TT take place in the Corny Collins Show, so it makes sense for the characters to get involved because they're performing on TV, or in the case of "Ms Baltimore Crabs," to go in to "dream realm" (a la Your Song in Moulin Rouge).
In an old hollywood musical, I feel "Baltimore" would have been a bigger number including alot more cast, especially because it is the opener...
I partially agree with you on Travolta. By the end I had fallen in love. I understand the "journey" Edna takes from housewife to extrovert, but I think the gripe people bring up about his performance is that rather than introverted in the beginning, he seems uncomfortable and seems to be "putting on" the character more that being her as he is later in the film. By the end I was in love though, I do agree with that.
I love America. Just because I think gay dudes should be allowed to adopt kids and we should all have hybrid cars doesn't mean I don't love America.
[turns and winks directly into the camera]
- Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) on 30 Rock
HeidiL87
Understudy Joined: 10/4/06
#24re: Early Hairspray Movie Review
Posted: 6/1/07 at 1:57pm
Mateo,
I love the idea of a vinyl soundtrack. Its funny cuz I was just thinking about this yesterday. I was looking at the OBC cd and admiring the way its designed to look like a vinyl record and thought "I wonder what they will do with the movie soundtrack?"
Updated On: 6/1/07 at 01:57 PM
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