They say that Steven Spielberg has achieved the impossible with this new 2021 version of the deep musical performance, West Side Story...and I would be one to agree with that!
My Grandma Dierks came over to watch this with me, and the film mesmerized the both of us! With nice and careful planning, and respect payments to the older version from 1961, Spielberg has taken musicals to a whole new level. His direction and cinematography were through the roof, presenting beautiful shots, smooth moving camera movements, and just the right amount of length.
My three favorite performances were from Ansel Elgort (Tony), Rachel Zegler (Maria), and Mike Faist (Riff). Ansel plays with an excellent and greatly moving personality, showing us how reluctant he is to get back into all the trouble making the Jets like to stir up around their crumbling city (with has superb scenery by the way). Tony wants to move on, let love help him become a better person, but he doesn't know how to tell his old gang members, when all they want to relish in is trouble. Mike gave a rough, tough, and very loveable performance as the Jet leader Riff; Riff seems to fight for what he believes in a little too much, not caring about if or when someone just might get hurt, or killed, from all the ruckus he's stirring up. And last, but certainly not least, for her first major film role as the sweet, pretty, innocent Maria, Rachel Zegler was my all time favorite performer!! Her vocals were extraordinarily dazzling and captivating! I can tell she is destined for greatness after watching her in this musical!
I also highly enjoyed the dancing and costumes; the songs, music, suits and dresses, and dance moves all fit perfectly for each number! I personally like the Jet's Theme and the Ballroom Dance the best!
If you were highly touched and blown away from the first version of this deep-digging musical from 1961, this new version will do just the same! Don't forget your tissues in case you get a little teary-eyed!
My Grandma Dierks came over to watch this with me, and the film mesmerized the both of us! With nice and careful planning, and respect payments to the older version from 1961, Spielberg has taken musicals to a whole new level. His direction and cinematography were through the roof, presenting beautiful shots, smooth moving camera movements, and just the right amount of length.
My three favorite performances were from Ansel Elgort (Tony), Rachel Zegler (Maria), and Mike Faist (Riff). Ansel plays with an excellent and greatly moving personality, showing us how reluctant he is to get back into all the trouble making the Jets like to stir up around their crumbling city (with has superb scenery by the way). Tony wants to move on, let love help him become a better person, but he doesn't know how to tell his old gang members, when all they want to relish in is trouble. Mike gave a rough, tough, and very loveable performance as the Jet leader Riff; Riff seems to fight for what he believes in a little too much, not caring about if or when someone just might get hurt, or killed, from all the ruckus he's stirring up. And last, but certainly not least, for her first major film role as the sweet, pretty, innocent Maria, Rachel Zegler was my all time favorite performer!! Her vocals were extraordinarily dazzling and captivating! I can tell she is destined for greatness after watching her in this musical!
I also highly enjoyed the dancing and costumes; the songs, music, suits and dresses, and dance moves all fit perfectly for each number! I personally like the Jet's Theme and the Ballroom Dance the best!
If you were highly touched and blown away from the first version of this deep-digging musical from 1961, this new version will do just the same! Don't forget your tissues in case you get a little teary-eyed!