Doctor Who the Movie: Why I am Slightly Skeptical.

I was excited when I saw that David Yates was to direct a Doctor Who movie. He brought the Harry Potter series to a masterful conclusion and I consider him the second-best director in the franchise (Alfonso Cuaran being the first). Before I clicked the link, I thought it was going to be for the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who. It’s an important milestone and should be celebrated accordingly, right?

Then I clicked the link. And that wasn’t what it was.

Hairspray 2?

Okay, I love "Hairspray"--both the 88 movie, 2003 musical and 07 movie. I thought they were all well-done, and the latter two had some great songs. However I shuddered when I saw this as the top story on Playbill Online. A sequel? Why? I think the story wrapped up nice and neat. What could they conquer next? Velma's revenge? Tracy joining the hippie movment? I honestly don't know where the story will go.

Well, at least they are planning the sequel as a movie and not a musical. Musical sequels don't work--Bring Back Birdie, The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public, Annie Warbucks. This is one reason why I don't think Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom sequel will do well either (the other reasons later). But then again, making a sequel to such a good, beloved, campy movie like Hairspay may not fly well either. Grease 2, anyone?

Though...Grease 2 is in the so bad, it's good category. My sister and I love to watch it for that reason. And "I'll Be Your Girl for All Seasons" and "Turn Back (The Hands of Time)" are pretty good. "Reproduction"? Not so much. And it might be hard to get Michelle Pfeffer back for a sequel--she was in Grease 2 after all.