Produced and directed by legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg, from a screenplay by screenwriter and playwright Tony Kushner, WEST SIDE STORY tells the classic tale of fierce rivalries and young love, set in 1957 New York City. A whole new generation can experience this reimagining of the beloved musical originally choreographed by Jerome Robbins, with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and original book by Arthur Laurents. Ansel Elgort stars as Tony, a former member of the Jets street gang, and Rachel Zegler stars as María, a young woman whose brother is the head of the Jets’ rival gang, the Sharks. When Tony and María meet, they fall in love, but those close to them discourage their union. As racial and territorial tensions mount between the competing gangs, events unfold that threaten the young lovers’ happiness. Along with its iconic songs, the film features breathtaking new choreography from Justin Peck, with the score helmed by renowned Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel and arranged by composer and conductor David Newman. WEST SIDE STORY also stars Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Josh Andrés Rivera, Ana Isabelle, Corey Stoll, Brian d’Arcy James, and Rita Moreno, who was featured in the 1961 film version, and who serves as an executive producer. The film’s creative team additionally includes Kushner as an executive producer, along with Daniel Lupi and Adam Somner, with Kevin McCollum and Kristie Macosko Krieger also producing. A timeless story of love and social unrest, the film also features stunning cinematography by Janusz Kaminski.
Two youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy.
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WretchedIt was depressing. I’ll never get that time back. About as cheerful as Schindler’s List..Score: 1/5
West side rocksI love this new version.Score: 5/5
It’s pretty good, but it has terrible pacingI like what Spielberg did with this. Lots of recontextualization and dazzling direction. Spectacular choreography, a vibrant look, some great performances. I do like this adaptation. That being said, the pacing, particularly in the second half, is atrocious. My issue? Too many songs. At least one too many. Cut “I Feel Pretty” and that improves it significantly. I don’t think the song itself is bad. It’s just that the fact that it’s placed immediately after the rumble sequence, and that there are so many other songs before it, make the film drag and create a massive tonal dissonance. Other than that, it’s a fine update of a classic work. 7.5/10.Score: 4/5
Brilliant!This film is amazing. Spielberg did such a great job adapting this musical to the big screen! This one is a lot better than the original film..Score: 5/5
Best film of the year! More than just a musical.Steven Spielberg has done it again, bringing one of the greatest musicals ever written back to life for a new generation. Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose are the standouts as Maria and Anita, the latter of which deserves all her accolades, following in the footsteps of Rita Moreno, who also has a role in this film (and gives us an emotionally moving rendition of "Somewhere," which I believe as a song still resonates). David Alvarez is dashing as Bernardo and Mike Faist brings everything to the table with his career-defining role as Riff. Even the entire ensemble of Jets and Sharks have huge carreers ahead of them in Film and TV (and kudos to the casting team for casting actual Latinos and Hispanics as the Sharks). And then, yeah, I know, we have Ansel Elgort, who plays the lead role of Tony. The actor may be problematic in real life, but he still gives us a serviceable enough performance (and is able to carry a tune with "Maria," where we as viewers get one of the best shots of 2021 - Tony standing in the middle of a puddle of water, that becomes a rippling pool of light). Speaking of shots, Janusz Kaminski's cinematography makes every frame look like a painting, and Justin Peck's choreography stays true to the legacy that Jerome Robbins left on both the original stage show and the 1961 Oscar-winning film, which Spielberg's version surpasses in every way. Other spectacular musical Number highlights in this film include "Balcony Scene (Tonight)," "America," "Dance at the Gym," "Cool" and "Tonight Quintet." This film is cinematic art at its finest from the opening whistle to the haunting last notes, with an already-iconic story whose themes tragically still remain relevant today. See it. You won't be disappointed..Score: 5/5
BEST MOVIE EVERRRI love this movie best musical.Score: 5/5
Oscar for Ariana DeBose!This is hands down one of the best movie musicals made in a long time. It brings back the nostalgia of the golden age of musical theatre, while also updating it for a modern audience. Steven Spielberg gives his all directing this film. Every shot and still frame is done so well and it’s clear he understands how to direct a musical for the screen. Tony Kushner does an amazing job updating the script for a new age. Kushner easily could’ve rewritten these characters as stereotypes, but it’s clear when writing he cares to give these characters deep meaningful backstories backed up by such beautifully written dialogue. But what makes this film shine is it’s performances by its ensemble cast. The standouts in my opinion a being Rachel Zegler, Mike Faist, and Ariana DeBose. For her professional debut Zegler gives an outstanding performance. She has the sweet innocence to her, while also having a strong head on her shoulders as well. Her Disney Princess-like voice further drives her performance which sets her apart from the crowd. Faist is an automatic standout as Riff. He plays the role with such swagger and swiftness, while also portraying the pain and heartbreak of a child neglected. But the best performance in this film has to be DeBose’s portrayal as Anita. She had pretty big shoes to fill following up Rita Moreno, who also worked on the film. She lived up to her predecessor and made the role her own. The way she carries herself with such confidence and strength, while also portraying such heartache especially in the third act. It’s a star-making performance worth of an academy award, which if she wins she’ll be the first queer woman of color to achieve such an honor. Bottom line this film is truly a piece of art. Truly sublime and worthy of more attention than it gets..Score: 5/5
A Genuine MasterpieceI have never been a fan of the original West Side Story movie, for a variety of reasons. The casting of Natalie Wood was a major mistake on several levels, most significantly the fact that she was a white woman playing a Hispanic character and her need to lip sync to the dubbed vocals of Marni Nixon. Several other Hispanic characters were played by white actors, robbing that earlier film of much-needed authenticity. In addition, the obviously fake backdrops were tacky to the point of being distracting. This new version fixes those previous errors, and gives West Side Story the class and shine that it deserves. Without exception, the cast is brilliant, from leads throughout the supporting roles. As Maria, newcomer Rachel Zegler lights up the screen in a star-making turn, while Ansel Elgort shines as a solid actor and a very fine singer in the role of Tony. As for Ariana DeBose as Anita, every rave review and Oscar prediction is well-deserved. And Rita Moreno — the original Oscar-winning Anita — dazzles in a powerful new role written just for her. Visually, Stephen Spielberg has given us a film that is authentic and downright dazzling. This West Side Story is not to be missed!.Score: 5/5
GreatHands down best version of this story. Far better than the older version..Score: 5/5
!!!!Literally my new favorite movie..Score: 5/5
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Not bad but i'm a little original swoonedSome spoilers ahead...........Was ok. Much preferred the original. The singing by Ansel Elgort (Tony) and Rachel Zegler (Maria) was outstanding! They did an excelent version of the originals. The dance scene where Tony and Maria first meet was off. Should have kept them on the dance floor. There are a few oddities like that in the movie. It is enjoyable, but if you havent yet, be sure to watch the original as well..Score: 3/5
Why?Bearable … why? We came to watch it an open mind. The dancing was great. The singing pretty good. But the staging of some key songs left us questioning why this version was made. Either go further and make the context contemporary or leave it alone. We didn’t finish it..Score: 3/5
YawnSigh … ….Score: 1/5
Loved it!I thought this was a great rendition! Amazing dancing! Lovely voices! All around an awesome movie! They kept it fresh and new while still keeping you in the same time period and context as the original. I felt much more connected to Tony, and I thought Maria was stunning! The ages made more sense and the story line flowed nicely. I highly recommend this one!!.Score: 5/5
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