Review by Katie Wong (4 reviews):
The modern movie musical is failing. Long gone are the days where a nostalgic existence exists in actors constantly singing and dancing. Those who grew up loving the likes of Grease, Sound of Music and Singing in the Rain can now only stand from afar as the talent gets younger and in the case of recent cinematic offerings, more flexible, whereas the 'classic' musical now set their roots into Broadway and the West End.

Hairspray is the latest addition to the musical genre and judging by the cult following the John Waters original film in 1988, it has a lot to follow, as well as to gain from bringing toe-tapping and head-bobbing back into the multiplex.

Newcomer Nikki Blonsky has a tough role of recreating the rebellious, yet open-minded Tracey Turnblad, but her enthusiasm shines from her opening number and as her character grows in popularity, she does not succumb to the negativity that seems to be expected from her in the Ugly-Duckling era of film and television.

The film itself is like a high school reunion of musicality stars - Travolta, as Tracy's introverted and obese mother, shys away from everything until the musical numbers, where you can actually giggle on how someone can move so well in a fat suit. Pfieffer is incredibly bitchy as the scheming Mrs Von Tussle, whose determination to keep racial integration off the airwaves becomes an obsession. In contrast, Christopher Walken takes a back step to accommodate the bolder female characters in the film, and in doing so, looks as if he has more fun just being there.

All in all, it's a very teen-orientated film, with the inclusion of High School Musical's Zac Efron as baby-faced love interest Link and Elijah Kelley as Seaweed, but there is a lot to enjoy in this feel-good flick and Adam Shankman, whose cinematography includes Bringing Down the House and Cheaper by the Dozen 2, brings a lot more character into his latest offering and it is all the better for it.

Hairspray boasts colour and can appeal to anyone who loves cheesy but feel-good films, and it has plenty to giggle and laugh about, making this the breakaway hit for this summer.

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