Following the laughed-out-loud episode of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, I finally got around to the dvd of HAIRSPRAY, cranking up that DTS 6.1 soundtrack enough to shake the walls a little. I had spent Thursday night watching the special features on disc two, and I'm still not through all of those features!
A few thoughts: the cut song, "I Can Wait" is gorgeous and Nikki Blonsky sings it brilliantly, BUT, it is sooo wrong for the moment in the film in which it would have fallen.
Michelle Pfieffer's two villainous roles this year should earn her at least one Oscar nomination. I adore her Velma in HAIRSPRAY.
I know a lot of people don't like Travolta's Edna, but, I certainly love her. It's great to see those first tentative dance steps onto the tenement steps and blossom into the "Mama's got to let go" exclamation at the end of "Welcome to the 60's." I honestly believe that Chris Walken's Wilbur loves this Edna, in no small part due to the casting.
Nikki Blonsky's debut, though not as awe-inspiring as Jennifer Hudson's last year, is indeed a marvel, and every bit as brilliant as Rikki Lake's prior take on the role.
I still CANNOT believe that the man who put out THE PACIFIER and CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN choreographed AND helmed this HAIRSPRAY.
Marc Shaiman's arrangements are filled with little quirks - "La Vie en Rose" in "Timeless to Me" and are quite full-bodied in DTS sound.
I think that the transfer is brilliant, too. A bit lighter than what I saw in the theater, but eye-popping with color and choreographed moves.
It's such a pleasant surprise to find a musical film which NEVER tries to deny the fact that it IS a musical.
