West Side Story

WEST SIDE STORY

Another adaption of the 1957 musical exploring the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks.

I will not get into the plot because well you know the plot. 

Let me start with the amazing cast...

Ariana DeBose as Anita. An Oscar worthy performance!! The back half of this movie she owns. Her acting; her dancing; her singing; she is a triple threat here. Fantastic!!

Rita Moreno returns!! This time as Valentina who owns maybe the last store in that neighborhood. She is also fantastic. Her last song...well more on that later.

Matt Faist as Riff. Another Oscar worthy performance!! Another triple threat with Dance; acting; singing.

Ansel Elgort as Tony. Hey...Baby Driver can sing.

The best for last: Rachel Zegler as Maria!!! Oh my. Her first movie!! Really?! Her acting is spot on with sometimes just a look. Her singing voice outshines everyone else. While watching this in the theater, you literally can hear an audible gasp the first time she sings. She is that wonderful!!

The story. What Spielberg does right:

-Seperating Tony and Maria at the dance making their first meeting more intimate.

-The neighborhood being knocked down. Which highlight the stupidity of both the Sharks and Jets. They are fighting over turf that barely exists. That will not be there a year from this date obviously.

- America scene..is now a dance in the street. This makes it a bigger show stopper. Which brings me to the costumes in this scene and through out. While dancing the costumes are so bright and sharp, from Paul Tazewell. In fact look at the costumes throughout, just perfect.

-Having Rita Moreno sing Somewhere instead of Tony and Maria.What a great decision. Having her sing this is a reflection almost of our times. Almost a wish of adults that the youth find a way to stop killing each other in the streets. It is so true, those words, just cuts through time.

Negatives?

-Yes Elgort can sing. However he seems very stiff in the role. Not sure if it nerves being with these Broadway vets. Or maybe it's his 6'3 height, he seems to tower over everyone else which could make him come across as stiff.

- I think Spielberg should have kept the 5 minute intermission. Yes there are longer movies out there without intermission. However this is a communal film, it would be nice to take 5 minutes, catch your breath and maybe discuss. Just a thought.

Well anyway if you get a chance see this film on the big screen it looks great...4 1/2 out of 5 stars for West Side Story. Yes it is a remake but with the Spielberg magic it is fresh and wonderful. 

From the shadows as always thanks for your time.