Hairspray

Ironically, the biggest name in the cast of the new movie version of "Hairspray" is actually the film's biggest liability.

Perhaps trying to capitalize on the still-popular movie version of "Grease," the filmmakers have "stunt cast" John Travolta in a role for which he's all wrong.

In fact, Travolta's rather unfunny and sometimes tone-deaf turn in drag and a fat suit is the one sore-thumb element in what is otherwise a pretty energetic and enjoyable musical-comedy.

Frankly, the film didn't even need him. The rest of the cast is strong enough — both in terms of their singing and dancing and comedy chops — to carry the load, and then some.

That includes the lead performance by newcomer Nikki Blonsky, who stars as Tracy Turnblad, a chipper, plus-size teen who is a big fan of the local Corny Collins television program. And she's an even bigger fan of one of the show's dancers, Link Larkin (Zac Efron, from "High School Musical").

So she's thrilled when her own dancing skills land her a "council membership" on the show, which soon finds her dancing alongside the man of her dreams.

However, Link's girlfriend, Amber von Tussel (Brittany Snow), isn't thrilled. And neither is Amber's mother, Velma (Michelle Pfeiffer), who runs the program — and the television station.

As with both the 1988 John Waters movie and the subsequent Tony-winning Broadway musical it inspired, this new "Hairspray" also broaches racial issues. (The film is set in 1960s Baltimore.)

But surprisingly, choreographer-turned-director Adam Shankman ("Cheaper by the Dozen 2") doesn't let that bit of seriousness overwhelm the fun. He also finds an innovative way for Efron and the offscreen Blonsky to duet on "Without Love."

Efron and Blonsky are both terrific, as is most of the cast. (James Marsden, who's been so bland in the "X-Men" movies, is a major revelation as the television program's singing-and-dancing host.)

Unfortunately, Travolta is a sour note. His performance as Tracy's mother isn't nearly as larger-than-life as it should be — especially when compared to Divine and Harvey Fierstein, who respectively played the role on film and Broadway).

Fans of the Waters' original film will be able to spot original cast members Ricki Lake and Jerry Stiller in brief bits, and Waters has a cameo as a flasher.

"Hairspray" is rated PG for some sexually suggestive humor and references (as well as a brief flatulence gag), scattered profanity, racial epithets and slurs, and some brief violence (slapstick and some rioting). Running time: 107 minutes.

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