Hairspray is a wonderfully entertaining musical based on a play inspired by a 1988 John Waters film (at one time, Waters was known for edgier fare like the repulsive but compulsively watchable Pink Flamingos), and it works much more successfully than The Producers which also happened to be a musical based on a play inspired by a movie.

Hairspray takes place in early 60's Baltimore and features the adorable Nikki Blonsky as Tracy Turnblad, a sweet, lively teenager with a passion for dance. When Tracy isn't suffering through boring high school classes, she passes the time watching a popular dancing show on television called "The Corny Collins Show." Upon insistent badgering from her best friend Penny (Amanda Bynes), Tracy is persuaded to tryout for the show, but when she arrives to the studio, she is ridiculed by a shrill producer (deliciously played by Michelle Pfeiffer) and her snooty daughter. Soon though, Tracy quickly catches the eye of show host Corny Collins (James Marsden), after she begins incorporating a bit of "soul" into her moves. Given the highly volatile racial climate of the time, Tracy's behavior is considered inappropriate by many, but the young gal does her thing anyway, and in the process, she sort of sparks a mini-revolution.

This Hairspray really captures the spirit of the John Waters film. Like the play, the music actually compliments the material. While the film does spend time addressing issues of racial equality, this is hardly a message movie. Hairspray is a heap load of toe tapping fun, and I found it incredibly difficult to keep from smiling while watching it.

Yes, the movie is over the top, but it has an energy akin to Grease and the clever, witty arsenal of songs, sort of reminded me of the hilarious tunes in Little Shop of Horrors.

The entire cast exudes unlimited charisma. Newcomer Nikki Blonsky is an absolute charmer. Her amazing energy is but a fraction of what brings the movie alive. Also turning in fine work are Christopher Walken as Tracy's loving (and clueless) father Wilbur, Queen Latifah as the wise and carefree Motormouth Maybelle, James Marsden as the lively Corny Collins, Zac Efron as TV dance idol Link Larkin, Michelle Pfeiffer (on a sidenote, Pfeiffer's motion picture acting debut was in the ill conceived Grease 2) as the villainous Velma Von Tussle, and the hip and soulful Elijah Kelley as Seaweed, a young black dancer who inspires Tracy to spawn a revolution. Then we have John Travolta in a female fat suit, bringing to life a character made famous by the fabulous John Waters ingenue of yesteryear Divine. How does Travolta hold up in his first big musical since Grease? He pulls it off with flying colors. When he first appears on screen as Tracy's rather large mom Edna Turnblad, it's a bit jarring. Slowly but surly however, he really becomes this lovable character.

There are also a couple of memorable cameos to be found in Hairspray. One by original Tracy Turnblad, Ricki Lake, and the other by John Waters who has an uproarious walk on in the first five minutes.

Hairspray was directed by Adam Shankman, a man responsible for a plethora of below average fare (see The Pacifier, The Wedding Planner, and Bringing Down the House). He makes good here. Not only are the songs sensational and the choreography outstanding, but the film simply has a light, sunny quality about it that's incredibly refreshing. This film will have it's detractors. Those who hate movie musicals best stay at home. For my money though, Hairspray works much more effectively than recent works like Dreamgirls, because it has a joyful spirit about it that a movie musical should have. The last decade has seen two revolutionary musicals in the form of Moulin Rouge and this years's stunning Once. Hairspray isn't as bold as the former or as moving as the latter, but I'll be damned if it isn't a hell of a lot of fun.

Grade: B+