--- title: "Hairspray: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/hairspray-2007/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/hairspray-2007" critics_score: 72 critics_reviews: 17 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Hairspray (2007): what the critics said Critics' score 72 from 17 reviews: 13 positive, 4 mixed, 0 negative. ## Los Angeles Times — Carina Chocano Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 20 July 2007. Chocano finds the film joyful and exuberant, with a sharp edge beneath its sweetness. She especially praises the romantic performances of Christopher Walken and John Travolta as Edna and Wilbur. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-jul-20-et-hairspray20-story.html) ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 4/5. Jones says this adaptation could challenge the standing of Grease as a retro musical favorite. He singles out Nikki Blonsky’s debut performance as stunning. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-6vhgnp/hairspray/) ## Variety — Dennis Harvey Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 7 July 2007. Harvey finds the adaptation a buoyant, crowd-pleasing musical, though it softens the original’s approach to desegregation and has uneven adult performances. He especially praises the original storyline, the songs, and the energetic performance of Elijah Kelley. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2007/film/awards/hairspray-14-1200558034/) ## The AV Club — Nathan Rabin Rating B. 20 July 2007. Rabin finds the film slick and heavy-handed, but ultimately an infectious, high-spirited sugar rush. He singles out Christopher Walken’s comic obliviousness and the supporting cast for praise, while criticizing John Travolta’s misjudged performance. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/hairspray-1798202840) ## Empire — Will Lawrence Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 13 July 2007. The critic finds it a memorable, crowd-pleasing musical, though its treatment of racial segregation lacks the original’s integrity. The youthful cast and Blonsky’s exuberant performance stand out, alongside the show-stopping songs. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/hairspray-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Jason Clark Rating 3/4. 7 July 2007. Clark finds the film an unusually lively and effective musical, praising its showmanship and thoughtful handling of race. He particularly singles out Michelle Pfeiffer’s alert, screwball performance, while noting that the finale falls flat. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/hairspray/) ## The Guardian — Rob Mackie Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 16 November 2007. Mackie finds the film spirited, enjoyable and faithful to the original, though it could use some trimming. He praises its expert dance scenes and its cast-sung soundtrack, while lamenting that Christopher Walken is not given more chance to dance. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/nov/16/dvdreviews.musical) ## Screen Daily — David D'Arcy Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 12 July 2007. The review finds the adaptation succeeds in becoming a credible, entertaining movie. It praises the punchy cast for delivering the musical numbers without losing the comedy. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/hairspray/4033566.article) ## The Hollywood Reporter — The Associated Press Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 19 July 2007. The critic finds the adaptation appealingly goofy and amusing, despite its lost subversive edge and slow start. Queen Latifah’s performance of “I Know Where I’ve Been” is singled out as the musical highlight. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/hairspray-159308/) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 19 July 2007. The review’s verdict cannot be determined from the available page. Its specific praise or criticism is also unavailable. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/19/arts/19iht-fmreview27.1.6728332.html) ## Time Out — Ben Walters Rating 3/5. 16 July 2007. Walters gives the film three out of five. The available description singles out John Travolta’s drag performance, which it says is nothing questionable. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/hairspray) ## Total Film — James White Rating 3/5. 20 July 2007. White finds the film entertaining but less subversive and less compelling than hoped. He praises the lively cast and infectious songs, while faulting its handling of racial prejudice. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/hairspray-review/) ## The New Yorker — David Denby Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 15 July 2007. Denby finds the film pleasant but less exhilarating than the Broadway show. He faults its loss of theatrical stylization, especially in John Travolta’s restrained portrayal of Edna. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/07/23/dream-on-2) ## Eye for Film — Scott Macdonald Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 24 July 2007. The critic finds the film a sincere, thoroughly entertaining musical romp, though it softens the original’s sharper take on race relations. The lively choreography and the cast’s performances, especially John Travolta’s, earn praise. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/hairspray-film-review-by-scott-macdonald) ## The Skinny — Paul Greenwood Rating ★★★★. 7 November 2007. Greenwood finds the musical delightfully sunny and nearly everything a musical should be, despite a mid-film dip in pace and a couple of weak songs. He singles out the winning performances, hummable songs and Travolta in drag as highlights. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/dvd-reviews/hairspray) ## /Film — Peter Sciretta Rating 7.5 out of 10. 20 July 2007. The critic calls this a successful, more colorful and accessible remake, despite one major flaw. Nikki Blonsky is singled out as the film’s shining star, while John Travolta is criticized for ruining nearly every scene he appears in. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/496696/movie-review-hairspray/) ## Digital Spy — Nick Levine Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 21 July 2007. The review is clearly positive, though it says the serious segregation storyline weighs down the film’s initially buoyant tone. It praises the exuberant choreography and infectious soundtrack, and especially singles out John Travolta’s warmth as Edna. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a66978/hairspray/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/hairspray-2007.md