Mini 'West Side Story' review.

[Tomconroy]

I went to a 1:30 matinee today. OMG! Such a fabulous movie.
IMHO Much better than the original version. Better acting, better directing, much better script, better integration of the songs into the story. Retained the original Jerome Robbins choreography. Certainly the best movie musical I've ever seen and one of the best movies, period.
I don't know how it will do. This was a weekday matinee. Not many people there and those that attended skewed way older. I don't know if a classic musical will have any appeal for younger folks.
If you do have an interest I'd urge you not to wait to see it streaming. It's one of those experiences that is special on the big screen, and the screen at the multiplex was humongous.
I'm going to see it again before it closes. A really special experience.

[Demovictory9]

1. No spoilers please

Just kidding. 😼

[JohnSJ]

2. Yeah, don't tell us the ending

[leftieNanner]

3. Can you tell me how violent it is?

I would like to see it, but I cannot handle any graphic movie violence.

Thanks.

[Tomconroy]

5. A little bit explicitly violent, not much. Might want to shut your eyes

just at the end of the first fight scene for a little bit.

[viva la]

4. I saw this play in performance a few years ago.

It was one of the matinees they brought high school English classes too, so the audience was full of teens.

They were profoundly affected, crying, cheering, at the end.
One next to me said, "It's so cheesy... and it's so beautiful."

After all, the source material has been winning teen hearts for centuries.

I think they appreciate that Shakespeare (et al.) took young love seriously.

[Tomconroy]

6. This in no way was cheesy. It was quite moving, and seemed

quite realistic, at least to me.
To me it was one of those movies like Titanic, that everyone wants to see. I just don't know if that can be pulled off anymore

[viva la]

10. Older teens think anything emotional is cheesy--

But they still get emotional.

I would love to see it, but I'm still nervous about theaters. I think you have the right idea-- go to a matinee in the middle of the week, no big crowd!

[Tomconroy]

11. I dislike crowds. I'm in CT where everyone is vaxxed. I do worry

That a lot of people will miss out on a great experience.

[underpants]

7. I heard a glowing review on NPR

The development of back stories and getting rid of stereotypes etc. the reviewer said the choreography was outstanding.

[Tomconroy]

8. I just can't say enough good things about it.

[underpants]

9. I'm not at all a musical person

but I might be willing to get through it if my family wants to go see it in the big screen.

[Demovictory9]

18. it was amazing. saw it this week.

[Ohio Joe]

12. It has a tough box office road ahead...

I'm only doing home viewing still so it will have to wait before I see. Everything I'm reading on it though... It is destined to become another Spielberg classic. It only has this weekend alone at the box office though, next weekend it will have to go up against the new Spiderman and the new Matrix... I don't think that bodes well for it but we'll see. I know I'll be purchasing it as soon as it is available at home.

[Auggie]

13. Quite the spectacle but pales to the original in one major way ...

Bernstein's original harmonies are lost to over-the-top musical arrangements and orchestrations in the remake. Some are hardly recognizable. Music is the entire show, you know? Damn shame it was ruined.

I thought the cinematography and lighting was a tad inconsistent throughout the first half but that's a subjective nitpick.

Acting, story modifications/updates, set decoration, and singing were top-notch, though too many of the punch lines in numbers like "I like it here in American," "Officer Krupke"and "I Feel Pretty" were stepped on.

Using the urban renewal projection in conjunction with the fight over dwindling turf was a smart metaphor.

[Demovictory9]

19. yep. my only quibble was the lack of subtitles

[pressbox69]

14. I have a question.

Does the America number take place between the Shark girls and guys like in the original movie or is it just the four Shark girls like in the original stage version?

[Tomconroy]

15. I think the former. I think it takes place in the street.

[pressbox69]

16. Thanks for responding.

Love the original. I like most musicals, even Annie Live on TV last week.

[Tomconroy]

17. Here it is: