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John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, James Marsden ... see more see more... , Queen Latifah , Brittany Snow , Zac Efron , Elijah Kelley , Allison Janney , Jerry Stiller , Paul Dooley , Tabitha Lupien , Nikki Blonsky , Taylor Parks , Hayley Podschun , Kelly Fletcher , Billy Crystal , Elijah Kelly , Nicole Blonsky , Corey Gorewicz

Adam Shankman's adaptation of the stage musical Hairspray, itself an adaptation of the non-musical John Waters film of the same name, stars Nikki Blonsky as Tracy Turnblad, an overweight high-school s... read more read more...tudent whose only dream is to be on a local Baltimore teen dance program. While her father (Christopher Walken) tells her to follow her dreams, her mother Edna (John Travolta in drag) reminds her that she doesn't look like the girls on that show. After impressing the show's host (James Marsden), Tracy earns a coveted spot on the program, but when she becomes a popular addition to the cast, she earns the wrath of the prettiest girl in school -- a girl whose mother (Michelle Pfeiffer) just happens to operate the local television station. Tracy's visit to detention hall opens her eyes to the racial tension on the show, as does the budding relationship between her best friend (Amanda Bynes) and an African-American boy named Seaweed (Elijah Kelley). Thus empowered, Tracy attempts to integrate the races on her favorite program. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Flixster Users

84% liked it

730,966 ratings

Critics

91% liked it

212 critics

PG, 1 hr. 57 min.

Directed by: Adam Shankman

Release Date: July 20, 2007

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DVD Release Date: November 20, 2007

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Stats: 98,036 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (98,036)

  • SirPant
    March 1, 2012
    SirPant
    I'm not sure what the point is of this film. A film version of a musical version based on the original film. Talk about bastardised. I had no problem with the cast, although John Travolta was an odd choice as the Divine replacement but it worked with the rest of the film, which i... read mores to say, not particularly well. I think the message of the original was lost, the original worked better using the music of the time, the music written for the musical was so 'Musical' sounding, like they took a forgettable song from another musical and just changed the lyrics. More pointless than offencive but not all bad.
  • spielberg00
    September 27, 2011
    spielberg00
    Let me get something off my chest about this film: John Travolta looks terrible in a drag role, and he must feel so humiliated just for that role. Whew! HAIRSPRAY isn't perfect, but it feels good, and it is danceable and free-spirited. Though extremely quirky and highly overra... read moreted, I enjoyed it, and I thought it was a nice, easy touch of a wild teen mood (keeping it at a PG rating, which is rare for many musical-based films of the modern day). I can't speak in comparison with the stage musical or the 1980s original, as my eyes have not yet met either one, but the film is on my to-do list; I fear the stage musical may not live up to its money's worth.
  • murphmann93
    June 23, 2011
    murphmann93
    I love musicals and to see Zac Efron in one again made this film for me. Outstanding! I wanted to dance and sing a long to all the songs and it shows such a positive message. A must see!
  • CloudStrife84
    May 17, 2011
    CloudStrife84
    John Travolta in drag and a humongous 60's hair-do? Okay, now I've seen everything. A colorful and vibrant cinemusical, full of energy and pure joy. The satirical tone gave it some extra bite, and there wasn't a song or musical number that I wasn't entertained by. Some I even lov... read moreed. A guilty pleasure no doubt, but one I'm really happy that I saw.
  • DreamExtractor
    May 2, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    Will be remembered forever by music lovers. It was hilarious and really well done. This movie had great acting, great story, and some of the catchiest songs I can think of, I love the movie. One of the musicals of the 21st Century.
  • cosmo313
    March 5, 2011
    cosmo313
    Owing more of a debt to the Broadway musical than the original 1988, this, the 2007 version, is a fun and spirited musical filled with tons of heart, soul, and the great message of racial integration. I like musicals, I do. I mostly prefer ones from an older era (the Rodgers and ... read moreHammerstein cycle) or something that just fits my more modern tastes (Sweeney Todd), but I really enjoyed this one.

    Some of the changes made from the screen to the stage to the screen were a bit disappointing (no beatniks, et al), but that's not a complete dealbreaker. The song and dance numbers make up for it. Like the original, the casting is quite notable, except there's only one real obvious bit of stunt casting. That's little bit is actually pretty crucial though. From the beginning it's been a tradition to have a man in drag play Edna. I'm cool with that, and, while John Travolta is a scream to watch in the role, it feels a little forced. Maybe it's because he's straight? He's not bad though, but it does seem a bit jarring.

    Michelle Pfeiffer is great as the villainous Velma, Amanda Bynes shows off her trademark spunk with flair (and awesome hair to boot), Queen Latifah is probably the only person who could play Motormouth Maybelle so wonderfully (in this day and age), but for me (and many, I'm sure), the real shining star here is Nikki Blonksy. She's wonderful here in a breakout performance as the pleasant plump Tracy Turnblad who has huge hair, loves to dance, and becomes a champion for integration. I know she's done a bit more work since this film, but she deserves even more.

    This is a really fun movie, and, while it isn't quite as campy as the original film, it's still just an absolute joy to watch. One moment that really made me laugh out loud is the Mrs. Pingleton (Allison Janney) reaction shot to the conclusion of the Penny/Seaweed story line. It's frickin' priceless.

    This probably wasn't the most necessary film in the world, but, like I said, the music and dancing are well done, and it might be a little more accessible for audiences who can't groove on the trademark Waters campiness.
  • CreedsDelight
    January 23, 2011
    CreedsDelight
    I wanted to hate this so much. But I loved every bit of it. It's a wonderful movie and musical. I really recommend it to every movie goer.

    Grade: A
  • jamers2011
    January 15, 2011
    jamers2011
    I actually really love this movie! Great music, and an even greater cast. Although I'm certain this film does no justice to the broadway musical, it's a good film by itself. Amanda Bynes is brilliant!
  • bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    July 27, 2010
    bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    B-
  • aliceinpunderland
    July 10, 2010
    aliceinpunderland
    Awesome music, dancing, and underlying depth. This was a 5-star, but after watching it three years later out of the theatre, I've noticed some problems - awkward time editing, awkward song editing from the original show.

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Critic Reviews

Bob Mondello
October 18, 2008
Bob Mondello, NPR.org

For a star-studded big-budget musical, Hairspray does a nice job of retaining the funky sweetness of the original. Full Review

Joe Baltake
August 22, 2007
Joe Baltake, Passionate Moviegoer

'Hairspray': An unabashed, unapologetic movie musical that nearly jumps off the screen and challenges all of your silly hang-ups about movie musicals Full Review

(CNN.com) Paul Clinton
July 28, 2007
(CNN.com) Paul Clinton, CNN.com

Bright, campy and wonderfully light, Hairspray reminds us that fun comes in all shapes and sizes. It's also one of the few 'event' movies this summer that doesn't outstay its welcome. That's worth sin... Full Review

Rick Groen
July 20, 2007
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

It's amiable, it's bouncy, it's got a sweet unknown in the lead flanked by a cast of bankable stars and, providing as it does an amiable and bouncy and sweet escape from a summer's worth of clunky blo... Full Review

John Moore
July 20, 2007
John Moore, Denver Post

Hairspray is an infectious aerosol comedy with nearly every hair in place. Full Review

Lawson Taitte
July 20, 2007
Lawson Taitte, Dallas Morning News

Hairspray is one of the most enjoyable translations of a Broadway musical to the big screen ever. Full Review

Joanne Kaufman
July 20, 2007
Joanne Kaufman, Wall Street Journal

The movie is a throwback to MGM musicals of the '50s. But it's a giddy, unselfconscious throwback. That in itself is refreshing. Full Review

Claudia Puig
July 20, 2007
Claudia Puig, USA Today

It's hard to keep a smile off your face and your toes from tapping during this unpretentious and spirited adaptation of the stage musical by director/choreographer Adam Shankman. Full Review

Peter Howell
July 20, 2007
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

At the risk of sounding as manic as Corny Collins, Baltimore's answer to Dick Clark, this latest screen incarnation is guaranteed to flip your wig. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
July 20, 2007
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Enjoyable movies are released every week, but movies that have the capacity to delight -- movies like Hairspray -- are few and far between. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Prudy Pingleton: Devil's Child! [sprinkles water on Penny] Devil's Child!
    • Penny Pingleton: [kisses seaweed] I've tasted chocolate and I'm not going back!
    • Wilbur Turnblad: [time lapse] And, my personal favorite, 'X-ray Specs' [he is wearing them]. I can see through anything. Skin, clothes, you name it.
    • Velma Von Tussle: [carrying a large bunch of items, looks at her watch, obviously fed-up]
    • Mr. Spritzer: That big little girl [shows Velma the records] is sending my sales through the roof. More people are breathing aerosol, than oxygen!
    • Prudy Pingleton: Penny, pray for her. [hands her a rosary] She's gonna need it. [smirks to herself]
    • Mr. Spritzer: I want that chubby communist girl off the show.
    • Velma Von Tussle: Well, let me be the first to toss the harpoon.
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Hairspray : Watch Free on TV

Hairspray Trivia

  • My first starring role was in Grease 2, and since then I've lost a son and regained him, played Catwoman and starred in a remake of Hairspray. Who am I?  Answer »
  • What famous Baltimore director made Cecil B. DeMented, Serial Mom, Cry-Baby and Hairspray (the original)?   Answer »
  • Which actor am I who has starred in the following: Hairspray Pulp Fiction and Sleepy Hollow  Answer »
  • Who does John Travolta play in the move Hairspray?  Answer »
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