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Well, a week after it premiered I finally got my fat ass off of the couch and went to see the new movie-musical, Hairspray. I had a thoroughly good time. The casting directors were shooting speedballs while considering the cast. Amanda Bynes as Penny Pingleton was not even close to capturing the spirit of the Penny in the original non-musical of 1988. John Waters, director of the original movie and the one who conceived of the original idea made a fast/brief appearance which was cute.

Christopher Walken as Wilbur Turnblad was certainly an odd choice. At first I didn’t think he could at all be effective in the part. Although only 64 years old, according to IMDB, he looks about 20 years too old for the part. Last, but not least, John Travolta as Edna. Harvey Fierstein was the original Edna Turnblad in the theatre with Divine preceding him in the movie. Considering Travolta’s lackluster performance it could have been performed by any man or woman. I would rather have seen a real fat person, not just one in a fat suit. Also, a more manly Edna in drag is much more enjoyable. Plus, his singing was a disgrace. I don’t want a skinny guy dancing on screen like a skinny guy. If you have some heft, you dance differently. End of story.

If you’re looking for a John Waters film, this is not it. The original movie had a much better story line and was more believable. This is a movie musical and is one of those aspiring to be as good as the mark that was set with the modern movie-musical with Chicago. It is the best movie based on a stage play since then. Go see it. I enjoyed Hairspray and so should you.

I went to see the movie near Pittsburgh in Homestead, PA at the Loewe’s/AMC movie theater. The theater is awesome, although the auditorium was warm and stuffy.

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