So...Hairspray?

Windbit

Anybody see it? I went last night with one of my cousins, and was thoroughly entertained. The songs were memorable, especially "You Can't Stop the Beat". Nikki Blonsky acting was great, as was her singing. Amanda Bynes fit her role perfectly, as did Michelle Pfieffer as the movie's racist bitch. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that John Travolta played the mom. That was a bit distracting, especially when they could have got a real woman.

Also, before anyone posts a reply along the lines of "Why would I wanna pay money to see a movie about some fat chick shaking her fat ass?" I'd like to say

fuck you.

Blackjack

The role of Edna Turnblad (the mom) is and always has been a drag role (played by men).

Hooraydiation

I got trashed by older friends who saw the original and consider the very idea of a John Waters remake to be sacrilege, but I quite enjoyed it myself as a longtime fan of musicals and someone who generally dislikes Hollywood's attempts at tackling issues of race and discrimination (Crash is easily one of my least favorite movies). The songs were mostly well-performed, which is astonishing enough considering the lead was an unknown, and while I can't say for sure I'm pretty confident that much of the humor and sardonic bite of the original was left intact.

Furthermore, I'm glad that there were no jarring changes in tone to accompany the moments focusing on the subject of integration, as most any other comedy stumbles at the very moment it tries to inject sincerity into the proceedings. Everything stayed more or less even throughout the picture, even to the point of allowing Michelle Pfeifer's character to be just as witty, if not as noble, as any other character, a welcome change from the usual over the top depictions of slobbering rapist racists with Confederate flags on their foreheads.

I have to agree with you about Travolta being the single worst casting decision in recent memory, though. I really thought there was something to be explored in the mother's body image issues and the effect of her insecurities on her family, but unfortunately all I saw was an over-extended GUY'S IN DRAG joke akin to Big Momma's House. And frankly, it was a little disappointing to see compulsive overeating turned into a cheap joke that fell flat again and again when other important issues were treated to far more respect, and given better jokes to boot.

That's not to say you can't cast a man in a female role. I just think the man should at least pretend to be a woman, and maybe even be a little convincing. Were there really no actual drag queens to cast instead?

Windbit

I take it almost no one saw this movie?

Hooraydiation

I can't imagine anything further outside the tastes of people who loved Transformers and 300.

Couscous

I saw it and enjoyed it.

Tach

I saw the original, and liked it.

There's no need for me to see it again, just for newer actors and musical numbers.

JeffH

The original hairspray was when John Waters started losing it, to see an even more hollywood-ized production of it is something I'll pass on seeing

Saved

The ideals for the film/musical seem to be in the right place, but holy crap is the music, acting, setting and just general tackiness/kitsch of the entire movie made me want to retch from the trailer and commercials alone. I can very rarely stomach broadway's flamboyancy at the best of times, and this one is just painful.

Fencingsax

It didn't really convert all that well from stage to screen, But I did enjoy the stage version., and this version was okay.