It's Hairspray!

As if there was any doubt.

All my expectations and more were fulfilled. The new Hairspray is joyous, funny, moving and, most of all it rocks. Literally, as it never lets up from the first beat of "Good Morning Baltimore" to the final crescendo of "You Can't Stop the Beat".

What I was most impressed with about the movie was how they were able to build off of the innate charms of both of the previous incarnations, creating something entirely unique unto itself, while still staying true to the spirit and spunk that has always existed in the story, whether as movie or musical or, now, both.

The entire cast is top-notch, but special mention should be made of Nikki Blonsky. This girl is a dynamo. Singing, acting, dancing - she's got it all. And she's never done anything before. Not a movie, not Broadway, not even a crappy TV singing competition. Truly, a star is born.

I also have to give credit to John Travolta. He makes the character his own and, once you get over the site of him, you believe in his Edna Turnblad. Is he the best Edna? Honestly, I would have to say no, because I did see Harvey Fierstein do it in Vegas. However, Travolta's performance does work within the scope of this movie, and in the end, that is all that matters.

If for some reason you weren't planning to see this movie (you don't like the idea of a remake, the whole Washington Blade/Travolta thing), do yourself a favor: go. If not, you will just be cheating yourself out of a great time at the movies.

Links via Imdb.com and YouTube.com.