Hairspray [WS] [Deluxe Edition] [DVD/CD]

Overview

John Travolta, Christopher Walken, Queen Latifah, Amanda Bynes, James Marsden, Allison Janney, Michelle Pfeiffer, and newcomer Nikki Blonsky star in this feature adaptation of the hit Broadway musical inspired by the classic 1988 John Waters comedy of the same name. Set during the height of America's civil rights movement, Hairspray follows fancy-foot-working teen Tracy Turnblad (Blonsky) as she ascends to fame on a local Baltimore television dance program.

Product Details

Release Date:	09/15/2009
UPC:	0794043131165
Original Release:	2007
Rating:	PG
Source:	New Line Home Video
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:56:00

Special Features

2 commentaries:; Director Adam Shankman and co-star Nikki Blonsky; Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron; 5 fabulous featurettes:; Inside the Recording Booth; It's Hairspray; Playing Tracy; Transform Travolta to Turnblad; Search for Tracy

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

John Travolta	Edna Turnblad
Nikki Blonsky	Tracy Turnblad,Actor
Michelle Pfeiffer	Velma Von Tussle
Queen Latifah	Motormouth Maybelle
Christopher Walken	Wilbur Turnbald
James Marsden	Corny Collins
Amanda Bynes	Penny Pingleton
Elijah Kelley	Seaweed J. Stubbs
Zac Efron	Link Larkin
Brittany Snow	Amber Von Tussle
Allison Janney	Prudy Pingleton,Actor
Taylor Parks	Little Inez
Jesse Weafer	IQ
Jerry Stiller	Mr. Pinky
Brooke Engen	Dorren,Noreen
Becca Sweitzer	Darla
J.P. Ferreri	Joey
Sarah Francis	Janetta
Tabitha Lupien	Becky
Hayley Podschun	Tammy
Cassie Silva	Brenda
Shane Simpson	Skillet
Darren Frost	Cameraman
Ricki Lake	Talent Agent
Joe Parro	Teacher
Nick Loren	Cop Nick
Sheldon Smith	Link's Backup Singer No. 2,Actor
Bruce McFee	Police Chief
Christian Hagen	TV Reporter
John Andersen	News Anchorman
George King	Mr. Flak
James Kirchner	Science Geek Teacher
Brandan Wall	Cop on TV,Male Cop on TV
Tanee McCall	Dynamite
John Waters	Flasher
Paul Dooley	Mr. Spritzer
Nadine Ellis	Dynamite
Laura Edwards	Actor
Sarah Jayne Butler	Actor
Nick Baga	Actor
Curtis Holbrook	Actor
Spencer Liff	Actor
Phillip Spaeth	Actor
Kelly Fletcher	Actor
Ariel Reid	Actor
Whitney Brown	Actor
Anthony M. Carr	Actor
Jason Dolphin	Actor
Shawn Byfield	Actor
Jayne Eastwood	Miss Wimsey
Bryan Hindle	Link's Backup Singer
Greg Farkas	Teen / Link's Backup Singer
Neil Crone	Cop at Protest
Ted Ludzik	Police Sergeant at Protest
Marc Shaiman	Composer

Technical Credits

Leslie Dixon

John Waters

Thomas Meehan

Mark O'Donnell

Adam Shankman	Director,Executive Producer
Leslie Dixon	Screenwriter
Craig Zadan	Producer
Neil Meron	Producer
Tina Gerussi	Casting
David Rubin	Casting
Lev Kolobov	Special Effects
Richard Hicks	Casting
Branko Racki	Stunts
John Waters	Screenwriter
Anson Downes	Producer
Toby Emmerich	Producer,Executive Producer
Linda Favila	Producer
Jennifer Gibgot	Producer,Executive Producer
Garrett Grant	Producer,Executive Producer
Mark Kaufman	Producer,Executive Producer
Michael Lynne	Producer,Executive Producer
Robert Shaye	Producer
Daniel Silverberg	Producer
Scott Wittman	Producer,Executive Producer
Brent M. Bowen	Special Effects
Steven Fahey	Special Effects
Yuichiro Yamashita	Special Effects
Andrea Yomtob	Special Effects
Marc Shaiman	Executive Producer
David MacMillan	Sound/Sound Designer
Thomas Meehan	Screenwriter
Mark O'Donnell	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Hairspray starts out with such a contagious burst of delightfulness, it's no surprise this feeling isn't quite sustainable over two hours. A true confection in every sense, the film would work better if it were bite-sized. However, because John Waters' 94-minute 1988 film was given the Broadway treatment, and this is an adaptation of that version, it's fattened up by its quantity of production numbers. Some of these are wonderful, like the opening "Good Morning Baltimore" number that immerses us in this pastel world, and the show-stopping "You Can't Stop the Beat" later on. Other songs take on the quality of filler, even if it's pretty pleasing filler. Still, these are relatively minor complaints in an otherwise joyous viewing experience. Hairspray is perfectly cast, from what should be a star-making performance from Nikki Blonsky as Tracy Turnblad, to the wicked scenery chewing of Michelle Pfeiffer as Velma Von Tussle, to John Travolta's sweet and heartfelt performance as Tracy's mother, Edna. Travolta's appearance in drag was a topic of discussion about Hairspray, specifically, what it might indicate about the actor's much-discussed sexuality (Divine, the originator of the role, was an actual drag queen). But it certainly doesn't play as a gimmick, and he has great chemistry with an equally delightful Christopher Walken during their backyard number "You're Timeless to Me." Also timeless are the issues of racial mainstreaming, which give Hairspray more thematic meat than its buoyant production design would suggest. It's a career best for director/choreographer Adam Shankman, who'd been stuck toiling away in throwaway comedies (Cheaper by the Dozen 2, The Pacifier). And in case you're wondering whether Shankman's version has Waters' stamp of approval, watch the opening scene closely for a cameo by the eccentric director, contributing his famously naughty sense of humor by playing a flasher.