IT WAS A TIME OF TRADITION, A TIME OF VALUES, AND A TIME… TO SHAKE THINGS UP.

Baltimore, 1962; plump teenager Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) gets the chance to dance on a popular TV show but faces stiff resistance… not least when she becomes engaged in the civil rights movement. Not really a remake of the 1988 John Waters movie, but an adaptation of the Broadway show that followed it. That means a lot more music; engaging stuff even if no particular song stands out. Lacks the first film’s originality, but director Adam Shankman still delivers well-packaged, good-looking entertainment (including a grand finale). John Travolta is a magnificent stand-in for Divine.

2007-U.S. 115 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by Adam Shankman. Songs: Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman. Cast: John Travolta (Edna Turnblad), Michelle Pfeiffer (Velma Von Tussle), Nikki Blonsky (Tracy Turnblad), Christopher Walken, Queen Latifah, Amanda Bynes… Zac Efron, James Marsden, Allison Janney, Jerry Stiller. Cameos: John Waters, Ricki Lake.

Trivia: The film was also choreographed by the director. Billy Crystal, Meryl Streep and Madonna were allegedly considered for parts.

IMDb