John Travolta Movie:

		List Price: $39.98		Label: New Line Home Entertainment Salesrank: 4395 Released: November 20, 2007
		Our Price: $12.33
		Used Price: $9.10
		MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Media: Blu-ray

Editorial Review:
It's 1962, and change is in the air in Baltimore. Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion--to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program, "The Corny Collins Show" and is transformed overnight from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can the trendsetting Tracy win the heart of teen-dream Link Larkin and stand up for what she believes in, despite the program's scheming stage manager? All she needs is her best friend Penny, a toe- tappin' beat - and a little HAIRSPRAY!

Description of Hairspray (Two-Disc Shake & Shimmy Edition) [Blu-ray]:
It's rare that a movie captures the intensity and excitement of a live Broadway musical production while appealing to a broader movie-going audience, but the 2007 Hairspray is an energetic, powerfully moving film that does just that. A remake of the 1988 musical film Hairspray, the new Hairspray is a film adaptation of the 2002 Broadway musical and features more likeable characters than the original film and an incredible energy that stems from a great cast, fabulous new music, and the influence of musical producer Craig Zadan. What remains constant throughout all three versions of Hairspray is the story's thought-provoking exploration of prejudice and racism. Set in Baltimore in 1962, the film opens with chubby girl Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) singing her heart out in a rendition of "Good Morning Baltimore" that, while admittedly a bit too long, sets the farcical tone for the film. Viewers quickly become immersed in Tracy's teenage world of popular television dance shows, big hair, the stigma of being different, and the first hesitant steps toward racial integration within a segregated world. The Corny Collins (James Marsden) television dance show is a teenage obsession in Tracy's world and Link Larkin (Zac Efron) is every girl's dream partner, so when a call for auditions goes out, Tracy skips school to try out, but is rejected by station manager Velma von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer) because of her large size and the threat of competition for Velma's own daughter Amber (Brittany Snow). Perseverance and the support of her friend Penny (Amanda Bynes), father Wilbur (Christopher Walken), and negro dancer Seaweed (Elijah Kelley) lead Tracy to the spotlight and the chance of a lifetime, but more and more Tracy discovers that fairness and equality for those who are different does not come without a fight and that sacrifices must be made to effect change. While the message is serious, Hairspray is first and foremost a comedy with stellar performances by John Travolta as Edna Turnblad (who ever imagined Saturday Night Fever's iconic star would appear onscreen as a woman?), Christopher Walken, and Michelle Pfeiffer. Part of what makes Hairspray so powerful is the exceptional music composed by Marc Shaiman, including songs newly composed for the movie like "Ladies' Choice," "The New Girl in Town," and "Come So Far," and the awesome vocal talents of Queen Latifah (Motormouth Maybelle) and a cast of heretofore musically-unknown actors like Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron, and Brittany Snow who really can sing. Notable trivia includes Jerry Stiller's appearance in both versions of the film (as Wilbur in the 1988 film and as Mr. Pinky in this 2007 rendition), and a cameo appearance by 1988 director and screenplay writer John Waters. Hairspray is one of the best films of the year--it's powerfully moving entertainment that leaves you energized and motivated to fight for what you believe in. --Tami Horiuchi

Hairspray (Two-Disc Shake & Shimmy Edition) [Blu-ray] Reviews:
Good Adaptation
2008-11-26 - I really enjoyed the movie and Michelle Phiffer was just amazing (as always), however, I first experienced Hairspray in the stage version and fell in love with the story, the energy and the songs. The movie not only cut two of my favorite songs from the stage version (Momma I'm a Big Girl Now and Big Doll House) but changes some other scenes and really changed Edna's character. I was disappointed with Edna in general, really I don't think John Travolta was right for the roll. Enda is meant to be a man dresses as a woman, it should be obvious with a deep raspy voice. In the film however, aside of the fact that it's John Travolta, you wouldn't necessarily know it's a man and that part of the humor of the character and that was lost in film.
All in all I love the movie as a movie, but if you like the stage version you may be disappointed with this film.

A moving movie (no pun intended)
2008-11-17 - Hairspray is one of my all-time favorite movies. Its a great storie about how a girl trys to fallow her dream. Its also holds a great message about breaking boundrys and defying the negitive forces in the world. Such as egotistic racists. I say this because this movie is set in 1962 Baltamore.

SHIMMY AND SHAKE
2008-10-31 - An entertaining and uplifting musical that will have you tapping your toes and inspiring the viewer to get up and dance with the music. From 'Goodmorning Baltimore" thru the end you will sing and dance as the music is too compelling to just sit there !!

Travolta: Get Out Of My Hair (spray...)
2008-10-20 - Okay, I'm prefacing this review with the fact that I watched very little of this 2007 version of this film. I am a John Waters fan, and enjoyed his amusing original film which starred some of my favorite performers, like Debbie Harry and Water's originals like Mink Stole. Very recently, I was dragged kicking and screaming to front row center seats purchased by a good friend for the national tour of "Hairspray" ( I am generally not a fan of musicals..though I like the classics (Gypsy, West Side Story..) and did enjoy "Wicked." ) Well..I quickly changed my tune, and was myself amazed at the constant grin I had on my face during the show from beginnng to end. The musical numbers were not only show stoppingly great, but the entire cast was absolutely amazing, with the stand out being the actor who played Mother Edna Turnblad. Though I had heard Harvey Fierstein did a magnificent job on the Broadway show, I did not see that. In this live version I have just seen, the only other person I was familiar with who I could have imagined doing as good a job would have been glorious Divine. He/she was very comical, charmingly slovenly, and overall brilliant, and really brought forth the spirit of Divine, without in any way trying to "copy" her, and the audience reaction upon curtain call showed they were apparently in avid agreement with me. My PROBLEM with this film version is the casting of JOHN TRAVOLTA! All too often, original good parts are ruined when the greedy powers that be decide that they will make more quick filthy lucre if they cast a *STAR* name, usually with disasterous artistic results. This film is a perfect example. I admit that the last Travolta vehicle that I liked was "Sat. Night Fever"..as I was a N.Y. disco duck at the time and it was a sensation . Since then, I would describe him as a real "jambon", as Truman Capote might have...and other than maybe "Pulp Fiction" which I have never seen, I defy anyone to name a Travolta film that could remotely be termed a classic, or, even a good film, for that matter. Like his contemporary and fellow self important Scientologist and nut job, Tom Cruise, I do not find them good actors, they are more "actory" than "actor", and I would rather watch 100 nameless, far more talented unknowns than watch either of them emote. Okay, I guess I have made my distaste for Travolta's screen presence clear. He ruined "Hairspray" for me. He's just a big, ugly, fat suited actor who looks completely fake compared to the other actors, even in their time relevant garb..and observing not only his hideous presence but his LOUSY, talentless, unintelligible performance for admittedly only a few laborious minutes made me realize that they might as well have had Big Bird or Barney The Dinosaur cast in this role. I can imagine during production that all present were aware that there was a BIG turkey on the set, and it's name was Travolta....but by then they probably felt it was too late. He even looks completely out of place on the darn dvd cover! (LOOK NOW!! ) Let's face it, most of the films made today are cr*p, and this one can be added to the pile. It is a shame, because people like Queen Latifah were probably very good in their roles in this film, but Tra-revolta's presence made it unwatchable for me. I would be curious to know what John Water's honestly felt about this portrayal, though I imagine that maybe his finally making some well deserved big bucks may compensate for having one of his most famous creations ruined. If Harvey Fierstein, or indeed even the wonderful actor presently playing Edna in the national tour were to have played the film role, it would have been as good and entertaining as the Broadway show. Instead, it is a minor musical and a major joke, at least to me, and that opinion is based on the PUTRID miscasting of Travolta, whose portrayal is completely devoid of any of the charm, camp, and comedy of that great lovable character, "Edna Turnblad." Let's rename Travolta's portrayal "Edna BAD-TURN." Yuck.

Fabulous movie!!!!
2008-10-10 - I bought this movie for my daughter, she absolutely loves it...has watched it about 20 times already...If you love upbeat singing and dancing this is a great movie