It probably comes as no surprise to everyone reading this that originally (back in 1988) HAIRSPRAY was a movie with music but wasn't a musical. A few years back, the plot was resurrected and brought to Broadway and this current film is a movie based on this musical.

At the onset, I've gotta point out that I adored the original HAIRSPRAY and still prefer it after watching this musical version. Now this isn't to say the musical was bad (it was exceptional),but the first film was so close to perfect that it's no wonder my original preference hasn't changed.

One of the biggest reasons for preferring the original were having Divine in the role as Mrs. Turnblad. He was as good as you can get and I felt a bit sorry for John Travolta having to try to fit in Divine's shoes--you can't help but compare to the late Divine. Another reason I prefer the original is that it was so completely fresh and original--and a remake can't recapture that. Finally, the other reason I prefer the first film is that there were more cute little vignettes that got lost in the musical--mostly because they needed to make time for all the musical numbers. The kooky couple played by Pia Zadora and Ric Ocasek, the way Mrs. Pingleton freaked out when she went into a Black neighborhood and all the other little touches really made HAIRSPRAY (1988) the best.

Now the second HAIRSPRAY is no slouch--it's got plenty of strengths and a lot to love. In particular, I love the frenetic pace of the singing and dancing--particularly at the end of the film. I was almost surprised that some of the dancers didn't pass out or have heart attacks completing it and it probably is the highest energy number I've ever seen. Plus the cast all did a marvelous job--they tried hard and it seemed like a labor of love. Finally, I just loved seeing Christopher Walken in drag near the end of the film--it was so funny and creepy at the same time!

UPDATE: I just saw both movies AGAIN and, I hate to admit it, but perhaps I was a bit premature. I think I actually enjoyed the remake more--mostly because of its high energy and polish compared to the first film. Of course, neither could compare to the amazing Broadway musical--now THAT was truly amazing.

This second version of Hairspray got lots of attention for seventies disco king John Travolta doing a role in drag. It was quite an undertaking because the person Travolta was trying to emulate was the one and only Divine. Her characterization of Edna Turnblad in John Waters's original Hairspray was the pivot for that whole film.

Hairspray number two retains all the originality and songs and good humor of what John Waters gave us in the Eighties. I guess Travolta was lucky there was no gossip about him and Christopher Walken who plays Wilbur Turnblad in this version.

I do wonder if Nikki Blonsky who plays our hefty teenage protagonist Tracy Turnblad will have a career similar to Rikki Lake's. Lake's was going quite well as a talk-show host in the Nineties, but we haven't heard much from her as of late.

The thing that shocked me more than John Travolta in drag about this version of Hairspray was the fact that Disney Studios let their number one bubble gum teen idol Zac Efron appear as heartthrob Link Larkin in this version. Maybe it's something that Zac demanded of them and they relented. Presumably he's worried about a career after the third version of High School Musical comes out. Eventually it all has to end. I can say with certainty that old Walter Elias Disney would NEVER have let one of his stars appear in any version of Hairspray. This was the man who ran Tommy Kirk out of the business for being gay. Things have changed a lot in the Magic Kingdom.

I enjoyed this version of Hairspray every bit as much as I did the original one. Maybe we should do one for each generation that passes.

I saw older versions of the movie and also the play (in both pre-Broadway and Broadway versions). As great as they all were, this 2007 movie was even better! The audience in my movie house certainly seemed to agree. Virtually everyone in the theatre applauded when the movie was over (unusual here in subdued Seattle)and about a dozen people actually gave the moving a STANDING ovation (I can't recall seeing that here). I would highlight a specific performer, but it would be very difficult since they were all terrific, from the leads to the smaller role players. The music was sensational (I wanted to buy a CD, but the theatre said they had sold out),and there wasn't a dull minute in the movie. I'd put this movie right up there (and in my opinion a bit ahead) of other "classics" of this genre like "Grease,""Bye Bye Birdie" and the more recent "Chicago" and "Dreamgirls" (all of which I thought were excellent). We went with 2 other couples, the men of which told me they "hated musicals," but they loved this picture and they actually raved about it the rest of the evening. I'd really worry about someone who didn't enjoy and have fun at this "Hairspray!" I'm serious!!