Some of the best films ever made have been Hollywood musicals, with “Grease,” “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and “West Side Story,” rounding out my favorites in the genre.

The new film “Hairspray” earns a place among those classics, as this picture more than succeeds in the acting, song, dance, chemistry and story departments. From its opening bird’s-eye shot to its electrifying go-for-broke finale, “Hairspray” is a triumph of musical cinema.

This is the kind of film that has “Grease 1 and 2” alums John “Danny Zuko” Travolta and Michelle “Stephanie Zinone” Pfeiffer as opposing stage moms. This is a film where they sing songs by Mark Shaiman, the insane genius behind the unforgettable songs in the “South Park” movie.

Who needs “Chuck and Larry” when you’ve got “Pulp Fiction” alumns Travolta and Christopher Walken as a married couple rocking show tunes? That’s just plain cinematic gold.

The pair play the parents of Tracy Turnblad, a talented teen who, despite the odds, and her girth, earns a shot to strut her stuff on the Corny Collins afternoon dance show. With the help of her detention buddies, Turnblad decides to trade in fame for doing the right thing and changing society (Baltimore, circa 1962) for the better.

Newcomer Nikki Blonsky, who plays Turnblad, proves a natural acting, singing and dancing talent, as do young teen stars Amanda Bynes (as Tracy’s best friend Penny Pingleton) and San Luis Obispo-born, Arroyo Grande-raised Zac Efron (as teen idol Link Larkin). Relative unknown Elijah Kelley also steals the show here as Seaweed, a dancer who helps Tracy celebrate being unique from the mainstream.

Sideshow to the main plot is Travolta in drag as a heavy older woman, which is its own surreal event. Travolta as Tracy’s mom, Edna, is inspired casting, and in the film, he still proves to be a freak of dancing talent.

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Shaiman’s songs and the film’s outstanding dance sequences are both memorable and hilarious. The songs marvelously move forward the plot, which centers on the social upheaval of 1960s America, integration, the celebration of being comfortable in one’s own skin, and tolerance in the face of stupidity.

It’s good fun when Amanda Bynes, in the throes of young love, sings “Without love, life is like a beat that you can’t follow/Without love, life is Doris Day at the Apollo.”

Then there’s the subversive brilliance of star Zac Efron singing the line, “Then we met and you made me the man I am today/Tracy, I’m in love with you no matter what you weigh.”

This movie may play corny on its surface, but there’s a ton of sly satire to go along with the schmaltz. “Hairspray” is a fun cinematic experience full of smart and catchy songs, astounding choreography and acting filled with tremendous comic nuance.

(Three and a half stars out of four.)

Neil Nisperos can be reached at 737-1059 or nnisperos@lompocrecord.com.