You Can't Stop the Beat

I just got back from seeing Hairspray (the movie). My friend M took me to see it.

I'll preface any sort of review by stating outright that I went in really expecting, almost wanting, to not like John Travolta in this role. While I still find his makeup job pretty disturbing and a bit of a crime, I'll give credit where credit is due-- He really pulled off the part. I dreaded "You're Timeless to Me", as the original Broadway cast (whom I also saw) were so charming and perfect in that number. About 15 minutes or so into the movie, I stopped seeing "Ack, that makeup!" and just saw Edna Turnblad. His accent was a little over the top, but I even found that endearing after a bit. And "she" and Christopher Walken were really sweet together. The key to Edna is that he's not playing a drag queen, he's playing a woman. Travolta got that right.

They did a good job transferring the book to screenplay. Of course I noticed some of the glaring changes, but I also saw this within a year after it opened on Broadway, so it's been a while. They kept the integrity of the story. I also really liked the cast, in general. While Amanda Bynes was cute, as expected, nobody can touch Kerry Butler as Penny, though (for the musical, that is). Seaweed was downright hot the second he opened his mouth. Oh, man. He nailed every second of his performance. (I'm with ya', Penny!)

What I appreciated most of all was that, unlike the show, the Dynamites were much more heavily featured. In the 15 seconds or show they got to stand out in the stage version, they tore down the house. I wanted so much more of them. Well, the film finally gave it to us. I also really liked Queen Latifah's Motormouth Maybelle. She doesn't deliver the same sort of powerhouse "gospel mama" of some of her predecessors, but her character was spot on and her voice still suited the score quite well. And the supporting voices were outstanding, especially in her numbers. I couldn't help thinking she was too young for the part, but probably just because she's about my age and I just don't see myself as old enough (which is sadly untrue, lol).

Overall, this is one of the best movie musicals I've seen in years. And for something that got rehashed from film to stage and back to film, it's nearly miraculous. I can't remember a moment when I wasn't grinning ear to ear throughout the film, except when I was laughing on top of the grin. I still have "You Can't Stop the Beat" in my head, just as I did for days (weeks?) after seeing it on stage. Bravo.