Since it seems to be Musicals Week here, I figured I should take a moment to mention my (unexpected) enthusiasm for the new movie adaptation of the Broadway musical Hairspray.
I'd never seen the stage version, since its reputation was that it was, eh, okay, but nothing special, so I can't say how much of what works is new to the movie or straight from the show, but certainly the songs by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman are instantly catchy, while at the same time delineating character, as good show songs should.
Adam Shankman directed and choreographed, and did an ace job on both counts. His handling of the musical numbers is frequently--and I realize I'm using this word in connection with the director of The Pacifier and Cheaper By The Dozen 2--inspired. There are high energy dance numbers, which Shankman breezes through effortlessly, but he does a great job with the teen longing ballad "I Can Hear The Bells", which is both funny and wistful (Nikki Blonsky's performance is wonderful), and especially "The Legend Of Miss Baltimore Crabs", a number which provides a back story for Michelle Pfeiffer's villain while simultaneously propelling the story forward, and is elegantly staged to an insinuating cha-cha beat.
The cast is tops, as well, and for once, everybody in it seems to belong in a musical. Blonski is utterly endearing as our perpetually upbeat heroine, it's great to hear Pfeiffer sing again, plus Christopher Walken (dancing again at last), Amanda Bynes, Queen Latifah, Zac Effron, Elijah Kelley and especially James Marsden--who knew that boring guy from The X-Men was so funny, or could sing?
As for John Travolta's stunt casting as Blonski's mom, it works reasonably well. His facial makeup is a bit grotesque, but to his credit, he gives a real performance, something he hasn't done since...I can't remember. Face/Off? Pulp Fiction? Anyway, it's nice to have the Travolta of old back, if only briefly.
Also, kudos to the entire team Shankman assembled here, particularly cinematographer Bojan Bazelli, who perfectly captures the look of an early sixties George Sidney movie.
Hairspray probably won't win any awards, or change your life, but it's solidly-built entertainment, the kind of thing Hollywood used to make on a regular basis. These days, it's cause for celebration.
