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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
What fun! This soundtrack of the film adaptation of the Broadway musical overflows with glossy, ol' fashioned '60s-style pep. It won't win any awards for innovation, but it may well be one of the most feel-good releases of the year. While not quite as super-energetic as the original Broadway cast, the new crew ain't too shabby: Nikki Blonsky delivers as Tracy Turnblad and Zac Efron (High School Musical) makes for a devoted boyfriend, and the supporting cast gleefully embraces the show's silly-but-generous spirit. John Travolta (who gets to utter the particularly ironic line "it's been years since someone asked me to dance") goes drag as Tracy’s mom, Edna, while Michelle Pfeiffer's slight stiffness is appropriate for her uptight character, especially on the cha-cha "(The Legend of) Miss Baltimore Crabs." After Mama Morton in Chicago, Queen Latifah puts in another brassy turn as Motormouth Maybelle ("Big, Blonde and Beautiful," which is then reprised by Travolta and Pfeiffer). The show's authors, Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, have written three new numbers for the movie: the rollicking (and first single) "Ladies' Choice," "New Girl in Town" and "Come So Far." In addition, the CD also includes two tracks that aren't in the film but were in the show: "Cooties", sung by Aimee Allen, and "Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now", sung by all three Tracy Turnblads: Blonsky, Ricki Lake (from the source movie) and Marissa Jaret Winokur (from the original Broadway cast). --Elisabeth Vincentelli
Review
Billed as this summer's feel-good family film, Hairspray is the movie of the hit Broadway musical based on the original 1988 film by cult Baltimore director John Waters. But, just like the summer, the Hairspray soundtrack proves a bit of a let down.
The casting sounded promising. Queen Latifah hits all the right notes - sassy and soulful - as Motormouth Maybelle, and Michelle Pfeiffer is deliciously icy as scheming TV mogul Velma Von Tusselle, cha-cha-cha-ing in ('The Legend of) Miss Baltimore Crabs'. But John Travolta - star of that other cult retro musical, Grease - disappoints in an underplayed and resolutely masculine drag role as Tracy's plus-sized mother, Edna. You can't escape a note of desperation in his voice, despite a gift of a line like 'It's been years since someone asked me to dance'. Tracy herself is played by 18-year-old Nikki Blonsky. She's vocally expressive and thoroughly likeable, but lacks the larger-than-life charisma the role requires. Listening to the final track, ''Mama I'm a Big Girl Now'', which features the three Tracy actresses together, both Ricki Lake from the original film and Marissa Jaret Winokur from the Broadway production sound much stronger. Tracy's friend Seaweed, on the other hand, played by Elijah Kelly, sparkles as the voice of segregated black Baltimore.
There are several new songs written specially for the film. They're catchy enough but depressingly formulaic, especially the Supreme-esque 'The New Girl in Town'.
In fact, the whole production feels short of energy. It should be brash, blowsy, and alive with musical wit. Instead it feels over-coiffured, lacking the kitsch necessary to carry off the pastiche. Less a towering beehive than a bouffant gone slightly limp in the summer rain. --Morag Reavley
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Quite simply, Hairspray is in my opinion, one of the best films to have been on at the cinema this year. However, what makes it so successful is its fantastic soundtrack. Opening number 'Good Morning Baltimore' is a great feel good tune and other classic tracks such as 'Without Love' with lyrics such as 'I never looked inside myself but on the outside I looked good' and 'It's like getting my big break and laryingitus'(apologies for spelling!),you know you are onto a winner! As for the singing, all in all very good although I thought Nikki Blonsky's voice started to grate after a while, despite it being amazing compared to my own voice! All I can say is that we need more fantastic soundtracks and films like this as it is practically impossible to not smile when listening. Great stuff all round.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Fantastic film - made fabulous by the superb music and the superb acting & dancing. Fabulous rock n roll music which will make sense once you've seen the film! I can honestly say this is the first film I've ever seen at the cinema, where people watching the film have actually stood up and started dancing! Why? Because of the music....
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have just returned from the cinema watching this film and the first thing I did was to order this soundtrack! The score is awesome, thesinging is AMAZING! Who'd have thought Christopher Walken could sing?
I recommend this CD to everyone in the entire world!
I recommend this CD to everyone in the entire world!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
excellent feel good music
this is an excellent feel good soundtrack from a great movie - just ideal for the commute to work to lift your spirits on a dull day - Highly recommended
Published 3 months ago by Jrb21
Soundtrack for Hairspray the movie
Hairspray - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Shows the segregation that occurred in the 60's in the very enjoyable way that bring the point home. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. Michael Dunkley
Too late
Bought this CD for a xmas present. I ordered it on Dec 12th, it arrived on Jan 10th! Not doing xmas shopping on Amazon ever again
Published 16 months ago by Miguel
Super-duper fabulous, you'll want to sing-a-long!
Ever since I first saw the original John Waters non-musical film I have absolutely LOVED Hairspray and so you can imagine my delight when I heard that it was going to be a musical... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Lady Lola Lavender
hairspray heaven!!!!
Having watched the film several times on Sky,I decided to buy it for my 10 year old daughter[especially as she's the one thats watched it the most!! Read more
Published on 3 Aug 2009 by A. Fairclough
1960's
This is a great soundtrack to an enjoyable movie.
The album book has all the words to every song so now you can sing along to your favourite track the soundtrack does... Read more
The album book has all the words to every song so now you can sing along to your favourite track the soundtrack does... Read more
Published on 2 Aug 2009 by M. G. Hatfield
Entertaining
I bought this to play at my 40th party - 60's fancy dress - was perfect and good for dancing to
Published on 12 Jun 2009 by Lynne Crossley
good, if you like the film you'll love the album
great album, maybe on the cheesy side but who cares its upbeat and if you enjoyed the film you'l be sure to like the album including all the songs featured in the film and end... Read more
Published on 28 Feb 2009 by M. Paterson
The music of Hairspray!
Loved the film and LOVE the soundtrack! Listen to it most days on my way back from work. Always puts me in a good mood.
Published on 25 Feb 2009 by Mr. K. R. Richards
I can''t stop singing it!
This is an awesome soundtrack. Zac Eflon has a really nice voice..if I was a director I know a great character that he could be casted as with that voice! Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2009 by L. Greensword
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