Grease was the word… being bandied about by a few elbow-rubbing journalists after a special 16-minute preview screening of footage from Hairspray earlier this week. As in, “Didn’t that remind you of Grease?” and, “That’s going to connect with audiences unlike any Hollywood musical since Grease.”

Heady predictions, sure, but not entirely undeserved or irrational speculation based on the high-energy, song-and-dance clip-fest which director Adam Shankman introduced as a sort of “Frankentrailer.” Gushing that the movie was the best thing that had ever happened to him professionally, Shankman very briefly attempted a Roberto Benigni impression — standing astride two screening room chairs, on the armrests — before wisely returning to terra firma for the rest of his short introduction. Shankman went on to effusively praise composer Marc Shaiman's work on the score, and say that he hoped his adaptation of Thomas Meehan and Mark O’Donnell’s musical stageplay adaptation of John Waters’ 1988 film could serve as an antidote to what he views as “a summer of three-quels” and franchises.

Based on what screened, there’s reason for optimism. Set in 1962 Baltimore, there was sock-hop and bandstand shimmying aplenty in the footage, to go alongside trademark, deliciously zonked, zealously imploring line readings from Christopher Walken, as well as some grade-A belting from Queen Latifah. Newcomer Nikki Blonsky (above right), as pleasantly plump inveterate dreamer Tracy Turnblad, really made an impression, even if it was John Travolta (above left), in heavy make-up as insistently cautious matriarch Edna Turnblad, who had many folks in stitches. It seems like there's also an anti-segregation march musical number, which has to be some sort of first.

Marketing the period to those for whom the ’90s is, like, so yesterday may certainly present its own set of challenges, but the quality of the merchandise at least looks up to snuff, which is great news. Distributed by New Line, Hairspray is currently set for a wide release on July 20. For more information, click here.