DVD Review: Hairspray

From New Line Home Entertainment

Hairspray: 2-Disc Shake and Shimmy Edition

Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) is a large teen gal with even larger dreams in 1962 Baltimore. The local American Bandstand-like dance hit "The Corny Collins Show" welcomes her despite the objections of the show's perfect princess Amber von Tussle (Brittany Snow) and her evil, racist mom Velma (Michelle Pfeiffer). Soon tubby, heart-of-gold Tracy is the toast of the town and, along with BFF Penny (Amanda Bynes), she fights for equal dance rights for local African-Americans (including Queen Latifah and Elijah Kelley). Conservative, shy mom Edna (John Travolta) is worried but Tracy hangs in and wins the heart of high school hunk Link Larkin (Zac Efron).

Video/Audio: The musical's big dance numbers look great in widescreen. Colors of the vivid costumes and sets and facial hues are correct and there is no grain or dirt in this recent film transfer. Lookin' great. This is a musical so sound is ultra important and it's very good with plenty of big bass on the rock tunes and lots of surround sound from all speakers. Dialogue comes through fine as well.

Special Features: The movie is on disc one of this two-disc set and you get two commentaries; one by director Adam Shankman and star Nikki Blonsky and the other by producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. Nikki and Adam are really upbeat and fun with on-set anecdotes and info. The producers are a little drier as they give you more in depth production details but both tracks are enjoyable.

You get a featurette called "Hairspray Extensions," which lets you copy the dance moves using some rough footage, some rehearsals or the final movie versions. Lots of fun and exercise. There is a "Jump to a Song" choice and "Step-by-Step Dance Instructions" for a lot of the big dance numbers. Really cool.

Disc two presents two documentaries and some deleted scenes; "The Roots of Hairspray: From Buddy Deane to Broadway," gives you all the Hairspray incarnations; early movie, Broadway and finally this film. Really interesting to see the different versions of the story. "You Can't Stop The Beat: The Long Journey of Hairspray," is the big production featurette covering cast, music, costumes, wild hairdos etc. A real treat to watch. Five deleted scenes include the missing "I Can Wait" musical number sung by Nikki. Nice song!

Wrapping Up: This two-disc Hairspray edition is packed with fun, energy and total entertainment. This feel-good-about-yourself, get up and shake your booty musical celebrating the triumph of a more-than-size-2 teen belongs in your heart and on your DVD shelf.

***

Lynn Barker is a Hollywood-based entertainment journalist and produced screenwriter.