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Hairspray
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02:21
Hairspray
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- 2007
- Adam Shankman
- 111 mins
- PG
Summary
Satirical musical comedy starring John Travolta, Nikki Blonsky and Michelle Pfeiffer. In 1960s Baltimore, chubby teenager Tracy Turnblad wins a place on her favourite television dance show. She soon faces a battle with ruthless station manager Velma von Tussle, who fears Tracy may steal the Miss Teenage Hairspray crown from her daughter.
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Review
A star rating of 4 out of 5.
Alan Jones
If any movie musical could threaten the standing of retro favourite Grease, it's this one. Director Adam Shankman adapts the hit Broadway show, itself spun off from John Waters's 1988 camp classic, retaining the original story (plus a few tweaks). Set in 1962, this has the amply proportioned Tracy Turnblad (a stunning debut by Nikki Blonsky) attempting to realise her dream of becoming a featured dancer on a local Baltimore TV teen show. She wows host Corny Collins (James Marsden) with her moves, but is then confronted by the twin menaces of racial prejudice and scheming showbiz mum Velma von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer), who also happens to be the manager of the TV station. The cast is terrific - a fat-suited John Travolta is a delight as Tracy's mother, Edna - and each lead gets a solo in the spotlight before the rousing finale. With its catchy songs, well-groomed performances and slickly teased dance routines, this tuneful toe-tapper is simply irresistible fun.
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6.7/10
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Credits
Cast
rolenameEdna TurnbladJohn TravoltaVelma von TussleMichelle PfeifferWilbur TurnbladChristopher WalkenPenny PingletonAmanda BynesCorny CollinsJames MarsdenMotormouth MaybelleQueen Latifah Tracy TurnbladNikki BlonskyAmber von TussleBrittany SnowLink LarkinZac EfronSeaweedElijah Kelley
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Crew
rolenameDirectorAdam Shankman
Details
Theatrical distributor
Entertainment Film Dists Ltd
Released on
2007-07-20
Languages
English | English
Guidance
sexual references, discriminatory themes
Available on
DVD and Blu-ray
Formats
Colour
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