Hairspray

Director: Adam Shankman
Cast: John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, James Marsden, Queen Latifa, Brittany Snow, Zac Efron and Nikki Blonsky.
Rating: 2 out of 5

It’s a big gamble taking a successful broad-way musical and turning it into a feature film. Okay, okay, so it paid off with Chicago but I’m sad to report that when it came to Hairspray, they should have let it be.

For me, there was a lot of hype riding on this film, and I’m sure my cries of disappointment could be heard from across town.

The thing is, I just can’t put my finger on what made it such a bad film. I mean it had a star-studded cast, and they did all they could do. The story is great too – we all love a good ugly-fat-girl-has-her-day story, which is exactly what happens here. And there’s no doubt it is full of colourful costumes and music.

But for some reason it pulled up way too short and missed the mark.

So, in case you didn't know (but most of you will) Hairspray follows the story of a plump girl whose dream to star on a television dancing show comes true.

In all honesty, I don't think I have ever made that many unnecessary visits to the fridge or bathroom during a DVD before. And I didn't even bother to pause the flick while I was ducking away. It was like I could not wait for it to finish, it was that painful.

Ok, now for a positive: John Travolta dressed in a fat suit playing a lady did impress me. And the character Tracy Turnblad (played by newcomer Nikki Blonsky) was endearing and so likeable.

But honestly, looking back, those are the only good things I have to say about Hairspray. Reading that last sentence back breaks my heart because I truly am an old fashioned musical loving girl.

Verbatim:
Motormouth Maybelle: “If we get any more white people in here, this is gonna be a suburb”

In a Word: Disappointing