"WEST SIDE STORY"--2021 MOVIE VERSION REVIEW
By GreatMartin
@GreatMartin (23672)
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
December 10, 2021 5:37pm CST
I was very apprehensive of seeing the new movie version of "West Side Story" as I saw the original 1957 Broadway production 7 times--don't know how many times I have seen the 1961 movie--plus how many remakes can you say are even as good as the original let alone better but I'm just a 'Broadway baby' so I was keeping my fingers crossed that it would completely surprise me. It did surprise me even possibly more than when I saw "West Side Story" the first time on stage or on film.
Initially I compared what I was seeing on screen in the 2021 version to what I saw in the 1961 version but that was thrown out the window when I saw the apartment buildings that were torn down to rebuild the area as the Lincoln Center shoving families out of their homes. Summing up WSS/2021 is a more realistic look at New York City in the 1950s including the people that inhabited Manhattan.
There are many differences between the two movies but none are shocking, jarring or off-putting and only 2 may be called 'spoilers'. Some minor examples are shown here https://www.imdb.com/video/vi1469563673?ref_=tt_eds_center-3_ecw_s4s_westside_cta&listId=ls025720609 not including any spoilers.
I was as moved by this version as I was by the first movie and any live production I have seen. To revive my memory and see the differences I plan to watch WSS/1961 on Prime Video tonight.
It would not surprise me to see the Spielberg version receive as many Oscar nominations as the Robert Wise/Jerome Robbins did if not an extra one with Rita Moreno and Ariana DeBose both vying for best supporting actress.
The 2021 "West Side Story" should be seen by anyone who hasn't seen a stage version or 1961 film version plus anyone who has seen either or both of the previous versions!
8 people like this
7 responses
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
11 Dec 21
It is my 2nd favorite musical ever!!
3 people like this
@db20747 (43440)
• Washington, District Of Columbia
13 Dec 21
@GreatMartin what is your first favorite musical?
2 people like this
@xander6464 (44408)
• Wapello, Iowa
11 Dec 21
Did they cut out all the annoying songs this time?
3 people like this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
11 Dec 21
Name one---just ONE---'annoying' song!! You philistine!!!!
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (44408)
• Wapello, Iowa
11 Dec 21
@GreatMartin Well, I remember there was one about feeling beautiful and one about Officer Friday and dancing at the gym.....Anyway, they were all annoying and I had the manager refund our money.
1 person likes this
@xander6464 (44408)
• Wapello, Iowa
13 Dec 21
@GreatMartin And when they do musicals, I walk out of them, too, and demand a refund.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
11 Dec 21
Thrilling and very emotional!!
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (80708)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Dec 21
Thank you for the great review. I have never seen West Side Story and I love e musicals this just sort of passed me by If I get to see this online I will take a look,
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
14 Dec 21
The 1961 version is on a few streaming stations!!
2 people like this
@GreatMartin (23672)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
17 Dec 21
That's Buddy on the right me on the left and our friend Bob in the middle.
1 person likes this
@db20747 (43440)
• Washington, District Of Columbia
17 Dec 21
@GreatMartin I had mistaken the guy on the left for Robert goulett!! One of my favs and a very handsome singer!!
