The world keeps spinning
Oh my God. Hairspray.
Background: I've never seen the Jon Waters film. The Broadway musical never interested me much. Today, I was bored and felt like being somewhere dark and cool after sweating my brains out mowing my backyard. So I called up my friend K., and we decided to go to see Hairspray. I knew nothing about it and don't even know what possessed me to suddenly want to see it. Mostly I just like Amanda Bynes, of all people, and liked the idea of seeing her in a musical. So we went. I got an Orange Fanta, and we split a small popcorn and a bag of Reese's Pieces and we settled in for the movie.
And oh my sweet Lord, it was so good. I don't even know what to say. I am speechless. From beginning to end, we smiled until our cheeks hurt, we laughed and hooted and clapped and even shook our tushes in our seats. And I have no rhythm. But I felt like I did as I sat there and danced along. It was impossible not to. The movie had such amazing energy. I'm pretty much over John Travolta and find him irritating as himself and wasn't sure how I would handle him in this part, but it turns out that it's a sweet and funny performance with a lot of heart to it. Nikki Blonsky as Tracy was fabulous -- a great dancer and singer alike and I rooted for her from the first second she appeared on screen. Michelle Pfeiffer (too thin, I'm afraid) oozed meanness and showed off her still Stephanie Zinone-ish pipes. Amanda Bynes was hilarious. Zac Ephron was beyond adorable. Christopher Walken was Christopher Walken and every moment I waited for him to burst into song and dance was worth the wait when he finally did. Queen Latifah was great. Elijah Kelley made my friend and me turn to each other the minute he opened his mouth to sing and started dancing and say, "WOW." He was SO good. I predict that he will be a huge star. Alison Janney = so funny. James Marsden was perfect as Corny Collins. I really do not think there was a weak link in the entire cast. They were all fantastic.
At one point after I caught my breath from laughing I composed myself and said to my friend, "Why is this movie so awesome?" She said, "I DON'T KNOW." I said, "I think this is the best movie I've ever seen!" She said, "I KNOW."
We stopped at two stores on the way home to buy the soundtrack; it was sold out. I went to my parents' house to continue my VHS-DVD home movie project, but they were napping and I thought it would be best to wait and not disturb them. So I headed to yet another store and bought the soundtrack there. I saw K. in the parking lot; she showed up to buy it, too. I listened to "You Can't Stop the Beat" on the way home and could barely concentrate on the road, so exciting was it. That song, well. I don't even know. It's almost enough to make me want to start running again just so I can listen to it while doing so.
Hairspray was a thoroughly, one hundred percent, over the moon, utterly joyous movie musical experience.
Background: I've never seen the Jon Waters film. The Broadway musical never interested me much. Today, I was bored and felt like being somewhere dark and cool after sweating my brains out mowing my backyard. So I called up my friend K., and we decided to go to see Hairspray. I knew nothing about it and don't even know what possessed me to suddenly want to see it. Mostly I just like Amanda Bynes, of all people, and liked the idea of seeing her in a musical. So we went. I got an Orange Fanta, and we split a small popcorn and a bag of Reese's Pieces and we settled in for the movie.
And oh my sweet Lord, it was so good. I don't even know what to say. I am speechless. From beginning to end, we smiled until our cheeks hurt, we laughed and hooted and clapped and even shook our tushes in our seats. And I have no rhythm. But I felt like I did as I sat there and danced along. It was impossible not to. The movie had such amazing energy. I'm pretty much over John Travolta and find him irritating as himself and wasn't sure how I would handle him in this part, but it turns out that it's a sweet and funny performance with a lot of heart to it. Nikki Blonsky as Tracy was fabulous -- a great dancer and singer alike and I rooted for her from the first second she appeared on screen. Michelle Pfeiffer (too thin, I'm afraid) oozed meanness and showed off her still Stephanie Zinone-ish pipes. Amanda Bynes was hilarious. Zac Ephron was beyond adorable. Christopher Walken was Christopher Walken and every moment I waited for him to burst into song and dance was worth the wait when he finally did. Queen Latifah was great. Elijah Kelley made my friend and me turn to each other the minute he opened his mouth to sing and started dancing and say, "WOW." He was SO good. I predict that he will be a huge star. Alison Janney = so funny. James Marsden was perfect as Corny Collins. I really do not think there was a weak link in the entire cast. They were all fantastic.
At one point after I caught my breath from laughing I composed myself and said to my friend, "Why is this movie so awesome?" She said, "I DON'T KNOW." I said, "I think this is the best movie I've ever seen!" She said, "I KNOW."
We stopped at two stores on the way home to buy the soundtrack; it was sold out. I went to my parents' house to continue my VHS-DVD home movie project, but they were napping and I thought it would be best to wait and not disturb them. So I headed to yet another store and bought the soundtrack there. I saw K. in the parking lot; she showed up to buy it, too. I listened to "You Can't Stop the Beat" on the way home and could barely concentrate on the road, so exciting was it. That song, well. I don't even know. It's almost enough to make me want to start running again just so I can listen to it while doing so.
Hairspray was a thoroughly, one hundred percent, over the moon, utterly joyous movie musical experience.
posted by eliza @ 6:46 PM
5 Comments:
I haven't seen the new Hairspray but I loved the John Waters version. I watched it over and over during my teen years.
The Broadway show is great too, and I went into it iffy! I need to see the movie...and can I say how much I love that you mentioned Stephanie Zinone? I think Michelle Pfeiffer leaves out that movie when she talks about her past and that is such a shame. Cool Rider and Who's That Guy are two of the best movie songs ever!
S. (my roommate! the author!) and I were so hot in our non air-conditioned apartment the other night that we were desperate to see anything and Hairspray was the only thing not sold out. We too were SO! HAPPY! we saw it. I think I actually squealed a couple times.
I really need to see the Waters film, I think, and I'd love to see it on Broadway.
patsy -- I squealed, too, I think, and generally let out other involuntary noises of glee and happiness. It was a very strange but very fun experience. I love that you saw it with S. (your roommate! the author!)
You really need to see John Waters version. I haven't seen the new one, and probably won't. The original is fabulous!!!
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