Spielberg pays tribute to his original material with tangible reverence but introduces fresh eloquent updates that the new generation will surely hum and dance along.
20th Century Studios
Actors: Ansel Elgort, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Brian d’Arcy James, Corey Stoll, Josh Andrés Rivera, Rita Moreno, Rachel Zegler
Genre: Musical, Romance
Premise: Rival gang groups, The Jets and The Sharks, battle for domination over the streets of New York through muscular rumble and showdown of street dance choreography.
Running Time: 156 minutes
Director: Steven Spielberg
Why You Should See It:
Whether or not this reimagination is necessary should no longer be a big deal, as the popular Broadway musical has been performed on countless stages across the world, for decades. This Shakesperean love saga surely has canon fans to displease, but it also has modern moviegoers’ nod to earn with ease.
Given the massive popularity and the lasting legacy of the 1961 adaptation, there is no denying that Steven Spielberg has a tall order to pull off. He does so by transforming Tony Kushner’s screenplay with compelling grace, eloquence, unmissable reverence to its source material. His ambitious scheme to deliver it with a sense of grandiosity won’t mostly feel like an utter success, but what he accomplishes is no less than singular, nor unforgettable.
It is 1957, street gangs The Jets and The Sharks are vying to establish their grip over Manhattan’s West Side. Their fierce rivalry is carried out through sheer body movements and their quest for gang supremacy results in beautifully-choreographed chaos. The camera captures their intimate and elaborate exchanges, which make their face-off, an irresistible spectacle. Spielberg finds struggle in giving the Romeo and Juliet element of his narrative distinctive from the original, and so he instead uses fresh and imaginative choices to make his mark. He hinges on both familiarity and originality, with the earworm musical beats still allowed to rule this crossover of vocal and dance extravaganza. He pays attention to what the loyal fans would look forward to while he never dismisses what the new audiences will expect.
Kushner’s screenplay allows some characters to get a richer and more elaborate identity, while Spielberg’s historical approbation prompts the film to utilize strong American landmarks, as well never pondered upon sociopolitical narratives, like the still prevailing immigrant woes by Latino communities in the United States.
Along the way, Spielberg’s West Side Story stumbles upon a few mistakes, but it can be, perhaps, best remembered for its earnestness and grace to this classic that seems to have never lost its wonder for generations.
5 – Excellent
4 – Very Good
3 – Good
2 – Tolerable
1 – terrible
Watch ‘West Side Story’ in cinemas near you now. Check out the official full trailer, below:
