Theater lovers and fans of the 1961 version of West Side Story will be rushing to movie theaters to check out the remake of the film that hits theaters today. But will the new version bring back nostalgic feelings, win over new fans or will it make fans question the need to remake the story at all?
The newest version of West Side Story is a reimagining by Stephen Spielberg, a name that will bring fans to the theater on it’s own. With Rachel Zegler playing Maria, Ariana DeBose as Anita, David Alvarez as Bernardo, and Ansel Elgort as Tony. The movie also brings back Rita Moreno who played Anita in the 1960’s version of the film as Valentina, the older shop older.
The movie is like stepping back in time in New York City, including the outfits, music, and even teen dances that were all the rage. But it also brings back the racial issues that were more widely accepted at the time. The teen gangs that are fighting against each other and the two that fall in love despite their family and friends protesting. This “modern” Romeo and Juliet story, brings a different twist on the Montagues and Capulets. But with the racist terms being tossed back and forth – it seems like this story could have been updated more, or even adapted to fit modern times. Although, that may upset purist to the musical and fans of the original movie – consideration of the current time and society was just ignored to make a pretty recreation of the last film.
I might be the last person who should be asked what I thought about West Side Story, I’ll be honest – I’m not a fan of the 1961 movie or musical at all. I actually actively avoid the movie every time it’s on. It’s not an original story or one that has ever spoken to me. And unfortunately, this newer version isn’t enough to sway me to like it either. Yes, it’s beautiful on the big screen and the actors do their jobs well. But with movie sets that almost seem like they’re actual stage sets and a darker tone – it seems like a weird release right now. The changes to the movie, really basically make it a darker set and draw out the story even longer. The musical numbers are spaced further apart and it just seems to take forever to get where it should be going.
With racist terms, gang fights, and even a scene implying rape – there just seems like there are so many opportunities the movie could have been updated or even changed to fit the current ideology and stance on these issues. But it was probably a balance between staying true to the Sondheim original script, fans’ expectations, and what would do well in Hollywood. Unfortunately, it seems to stay truly pure to a script that is based on Shakespear won out in this case, which may end up making it a hard sell for a lot of viewers.
But even with that said, fans of the story are most likely going to love the new movie. Zegler and DeBose absolutely shine in their roles and the fashion and spaces created throughout the movie are an absolute step back to the ’50s. If you want a step back in time, see basically a recreation of a 60-year-old movie with a better quality of film this may be the movie for you. Even as a fan of musicals in general, this was a hard sell for me, and wish that they would have pushed it just a bit farther making more than a faithful remake of a movie.
West Side Story is in theaters everywhere today.
Overall Rating:
Get Your Tickets Now:
About West Side Story:
Directed by Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg, from a screenplay by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award® winner Tony Kushner, “West Side Story” tells the classic tale of fierce rivalries and young love in 1957 New York City. This reimagining of the beloved musical stars Ansel Elgort (Tony); Rachel Zegler (María); Ariana DeBose (Anita); David Alvarez (Bernardo); Mike Faist (Riff); Josh Andrés Rivera (Chino); Ana Isabelle (Rosalía); Corey Stoll (Lieutenant Schrank); Brian d’Arcy James (Officer Krupke); and Rita Moreno (as Valentina, who owns the corner store in which Tony works). Moreno – one of only three artists to be honored with Academy®, Emmy®, GRAMMY®, Tony® and Peabody Awards – also serves as one of the film’s executive producers.
Bringing together the best of both Broadway and Hollywood, the film’s creative team includes Kushner, who also serves as an executive producer; Tony Award® winner Justin Peck, who choreographed the musical numbers in the film; renowned Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor and GRAMMY Award® winner Gustavo Dudamel, who helmed the recording of the iconic score; Academy Award®-nominated composer and conductor David Newman (“Anastasia”), who arranged the score; Tony Award®-winning composer Jeanine Tesori (“Fun Home,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie”), who supervised the cast on vocals; and Grammy®-nominated music supervisor Matt Sullivan (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Chicago”), who served as executive music producer for the film. The film is produced by Spielberg, Academy Award®-nominated producer Kristie Macosko Krieger and Tony Award®-winning producer Kevin McCollum. “West Side Story” has been adapted for the screen from the original 1957 Broadway show, with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and concept, direction and choreography by Jerome Robbins.