Striking a balance between raunch and sweetness is a tall order for any
film, but the Judd Apatow-produced Superbad manages to serve up both
in equal and satisfying portions without undercutting a consistent stream
of laugh-out-loud performances and gags. Michael Cera (the sublime
George Michael Bluth from Arrested Development) and unstoppable
scene-stealer Jonah Hill (Apatow's Knocked Up) are lifelong pals who
attempt to make up for years of obscurity by getting into one blowout party
before parting ways for college; an opportunity presents itself in the form
of Hill's crush, the lovely Jules (Emma Stone), who wants the boys to
bring liquor to her shindig. What follows is a combination road adventure
and coming of age story as Cera and Hill tackle crazed partygoers, a pair
of overeager cops (played by co-scripter and producer Seth Rogen and
Saturday Night Live's Bill Hader), and the hard truth about girls and their
own emotional bond. The humor is crass and occasionally gross but
never mean-spirited, and Cera and Hill offer believable performances as
guys wholly unaware of their own potential, yet ready to risk humiliation in
order to find out. They're well supported by a cast of Apatow regulars,
including Kevin Corrigan, Martin Starr, David Krumholtz, and Carla Gallo
(and Stone and Martha MacIsaac are terrific as their love interests), but the
film is completely shoplifted by newcomer Christopher Mintz-Plasse as
their uber-nerdy pal Fogell, whose fake ID handle is among the movie's
funniest gags. Classic funk fans should also keep an ear out for the score
by Lyle Workman, which features such James Brown and P-Funk
veterans as Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, and Clyde Stubblefield. --Paul
Gaita: Amazon.com
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It's rare that a movie captures the intensity and excitement of a live
Broadway musical production while appealing to a broader movie-going
audience, but the 2007 Hairspray is an energetic, powerfully moving film
that does just that. A remake of the 1988 musical film Hairspray, the new
Hairspray is a film adaptation of the 2002 Broadway musical and features
more likeable characters than the original film and an incredible energy
that stems from a great cast, fabulous new music, and the influence of
musical producer Craig Zadan. What remains constant throughout all
three versions of Hairspray is the story's thought-provoking exploration of
prejudice and racism. Set in Baltimore in 1962, the film opens with
chubby girl Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) singing her heart out in a
rendition of "Good Morning Baltimore" that, while admittedly a bit too long,
sets the farcical tone for the film. Viewers quickly become immersed in
Tracy's teenage world of popular television dance shows, big hair, the
stigma of being different, and the first hesitant steps toward racial
integration within a segregated world. The Corny Collins (James
Marsden) television dance show is a teenage obsession in Tracy's world
and Link Larkin (Zac Efron) is every girl's dream partner, so when a call
for auditions goes out, Tracy skips school to try out, but is rejected by
station manager Velma von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer) because of her
large size and the threat of competition for Velma's own daughter Amber
(Brittany Snow). Perseverance and the support of her friend Penny
(Amanda Bynes), father Wilbur (Christopher Walken), and negro dancer
Seaweed (Elijah Kelley) lead Tracy to the spotlight and the chance of a
lifetime, but more and more Tracy discovers that fairness and equality for
those who are different does not come without a fight and that sacrifices
must be made to effect change. While the message is serious, Hairspray
is first and foremost a comedy with stellar performances by John Travolta
as Edna Turnblad (who ever imagined Saturday Night Fever's iconic star
would appear onscreen as a woman?), Christopher Walken, and Michelle
Pfeiffer. Part of what makes Hairspray so powerful is the exceptional
music composed by Marc Shaiman, including songs newly composed for
the movie like "Ladies' Choice," "The New Girl in Town," and "Come So
Far," and the awesome vocal talents of Queen Latifah (Motormouth
Maybelle) and a cast of heretofore musically-unknown actors like Nikki
Blonsky, Zac Efron, and Brittany Snow who really can sing. Notable trivia
includes Jerry Stiller's appearance in both versions of the film (as Wilbur
in the 1988 film and as Mr. Pinky in this 2007 rendition), and a cameo
appearance by 1988 director and screenplay writer John Waters.
Hairspray is one of the best films of the year--it's powerfully moving
entertainment that leaves you energized and motivated to fight for what
you believe in. --Tami Horiuchi: Amazon.com
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