Hairspray

C+

I had high hopes for this musical. John Waters movies aren't exactly my thing, but since this was based on a musical based on a John Waters movie, I felt like it had a chance. But in the end it was just too odd for my tastes. I'm not sure why the morbidly obese mother had to be played by a man and John Travolta seems an especially odd choice. I liked some of the dark jokes that are just kind of tossed around, but for the most part everything seemed very artificial and contrived. And worst of all, the music in this musical wasn't particularly good either. That kind of cinches it.

I can see how people might like it. If I had heard any of the music, then maybe it would grow on me. And there are aspects that I can see would be fun for people including the period costumes, fads, and dances. The main character is cute and throws her heart into the performance so I can see how that would win people over. And there is a decent civil rights story going on that gives a little depth to a plot that is otherwise about a beauty contest. The cast is pretty spectacular, including in addition to Travolta, Christopher Walken, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Queen Latifah along with teen idols Amanda Bynes and Zac Efron (who I don't really know). It is a big production, but the story and songs at the center let me down. C+

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