Comments on: JOHN WATERS: HAIRHOPPING TO HOLLYWOOD

By: itsinthewaters

itsinthewaters — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 20:02:14 +0000

Surprising that you raise such issue with the soundtrack. Have you heard it? No, because it’s not released yet. So you must have based your opinion on clips which is hardly fair. Yeah, the 1987 songs were great but the Broadway musical won 7 Tony Awards including Best Original Score so clearly it has some merits! And speaking of original, isn’t that what we love about Waters? If he’s embracing his works having creative fluidity and being reinterpreted by others (i.e. a new musical version of CRY BABY will be making it’s way to Broadway in 2008) why can’t his fans move forward with him? I just don’t get the hardcore fans resistance to change, it’s SO anti everything Waters stands for.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 13:07:43 +0000

The film soundtrack hasn’t been released yet - this is correct.
But most of the songs are from the stage musical which I had the misfortune of seeing last year on Broadway.
I agree with your point about embracing change. Obviously I can’t speak for other fans, but I am certainly not against works being reinterpreted well. It’s possible that the film and musical remakes of Roger Corman’s Little Shop of Horrors, for example, count many Waters’ fans among their admirers.
I just think it is a huge shame to miss the chance to expose the original soundtrack to yet another generation.

By: corny collins

corny collins — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 09:48:04 +0000

just because the broadway version won tony awards does not make it anywhere near as great as the original movie. Hairspray is perfect the way it is. this remake is based on the play, which i guess is just a watered down, family friendly version of the movie. if you take out all the trash and sleaze you’re left with something that only vaguely resembles what the original was. and without ricky lake and divine, where is the charm, john travolta blows. and i’m also sure that the racial topics will be sugar coated too. fucking hollywood, there is no point in even getting mad anymore.

By: steve sleeve

steve sleeve — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 12:17:05 +0000

Hairspray should have been left well alone. It was perfection in 1988, and it is not possible to better it - not without Divine. I am not going to watch it, John Travolta doesn’t really do it for me.

By: Jay Krunszyinsky

Jay Krunszyinsky — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 20:14:40 +0000

Although there are better touches in the original, I do enjoy seeing actors like Travolta trying new roles that push him beyond his stereotypical roles. Your points are well made. I think Hollywood is running out of original content and are remaking more and more films.