It's a superb film, but the one scene in Wilbur's shop when Velma wants to seduce Wilbur is slighlty innaproite.
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Hairspray (2007)
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Infectiously fun musical with a message.
updated 10.15.08
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 11 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence :
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Sex :
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Hairspray (2007)
Parents need to know that this musical adaptation of the Broadway hit will appeal to tweens thanks to stars like Amanda Bynes and High School Musical's Zac Efron. It's a bit tamer than the John Waters original -- there's less cursing and fighting -- but the themes are the same: accepting people's differences, whether because of their looks or their skin color. Kids younger than 11 will miss much of the meaning while still being entertained by the characters and the production. Some of the song lyrics are a tad sexually suggestive: "I won't go all the way/but I'll go pretty far" and "The darker the berry/the sweeter the juice" are just two examples. Since it's set in the early '60s, African Americans are called "Negroes" (and, in one case, "lawn jockeys"). There are a lot of weight-based insults and one case of parental abuse: Mrs. Pingleton literally ties Penny to her bed and calls her a "devil child." In one scene, three "bad girls" are shown smoking in the school bathroom, while adults sit in a smoke-filled teachers' lounge.
Read our full review by Sandie Angulo Chen
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about prejudice and racism. Mrs. Von Tussle assumes that Tracy isn't talented because of her size, but Tracy proves her wrong. Tracy's determination and self esteem are strong despite her weight. How are overweight kids discriminated against today? What about minorities? Even though there's no more segregation, do kids of color get picked on for being different? Kids: What does Tracy teach us about judging people (and their abilities) by their looks? Families who've seen the original (or the Broadway show) can also talk about how this movie is similar to -- and different from -- the other incarnations.
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Our Members Say
See all 102 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
Lives in New HampshireI rate this title on for age 8 and give itMy concerns are:- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
Great, toe-tapping fun, but some innuendos
- Lives in GeorgiaI rate this title iffy for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
great for older kids
it's a very good movie. there isn't much violence. the only sex is mrs. von tussel coming onto mr. turnblad and different people kissing and brief and very very mild sexual references. some cursing mostly mild. teen smoking scenes as well as adults. good positive clean messages against racism. john travolta has a great funny character different from his "pulp fiction" personality.
- Lives in MarylandI rate this title on for age 8 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Sweet, addictive musical with a lot of heart
The character of Tracy Turnblad sets an amazing example for audiences of all ages - she stands up for African-American rights, stands up for her friends, and is an all-around good citizen. There are some mild insults about weight problems, race, and a few others. But for the most part, this movie is fun and fast-paced. It wasn't my kind of movie, but I'm sure audiences of all ages will enjoy.
Lives in IllinoisI rate this title on for age 6 and give itMy concerns are:- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
A good movie!
This movie is appropriate for the family because it has good role models(Tracy, who stands up for African-americans). It's just that teenagers were smoking in the girls' bathroom underaged and some language isn't the best for some kids. But if you tell your kids not to swear, they probably won't.
- Lives in New YorkI rate this title for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
Don't see it!!!!!!!
Everybody loved this movie. All anyone could talk about was "HAIRSPRAY!!!" Unfortunately. When I finally saw it, I was shocked. There are so many little innuendos that you won't catch the first time you see it, and especially in songs! Since this is a dance movie, OF COURSE there are inappropriate dance moves!!!! THere's also a song on the soundtrack that makes fun of people calling them "nerds" and saying "she's got cooties"! And finally, there is a TON of racial slurs, it being a product of its time. These can only be a problem if your children don't realize what happened in the 60's. Bottom line, DON"T SEE IT!
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
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