West Side Story is a 2021 American musical film directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Tony Kushner (also collaborated with Spielberg on the films Munich and Lincoln). It is the second feature-length film adaptation of the 1957 stage musical of the same name. It stars Ansel Elgort (The Fault in Our Stars, Baby Driver) and Rachel Zegler (in her feature film debut) in the lead roles with Ariana DeBose (Hamilton, The Prom), David Alvarez (Billy Elliot the Musical), Mike Faist (Panic), and Rita Moreno (who starred in the 1961 film adaptation, and also served as an executive producer alongside Kushner) in supporting roles.

The film entered development in 2014 at 20th Century Fox and Kushner began writing the screenplay in 2017. In January 2018, Spielberg was hired and casting began that September. Justin Peck (Tony Award winner for Best Choreography) choreographed the dance sequences, the music was composed by the late great Leonard Bernstein, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim who is also no longer with us after passing just weeks ago. Filming began in July 2019 and wrapped up two months later, while principal photography occurred in New York and New Jersey. Also, the film is dedicated to Spielberg’s father, Arnold Spielberg.

West Side Story had its world premiere at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater in New York City on November 29, 2021, and was theatrically distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through the 20th Century Studios label in the United States on December 10, 2021, after being delayed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film has so far been a box-office disappointment after a tough opening weekend and has grossed a total of $27.1 million worldwide against a $100 million budget, likely resulting in a financial loss for Disney.

Despite its lack of box-office success, the film has received acclaim from critics, with some deeming it superior to the 1961 film. It was named one of the top ten films of 2021 by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute and received four nominations at the 79th Golden Globe Awards, including Best Picture - Musical/Comedy and tied with Belfast for a leading eleven nominations at the 27th Critics’ Choice Awards, including Best Picture.

THE GOOD

This just might have been one of the easiest films to get excited for that I have ever seen. For starters, it is directed by Steven Spielberg. The Steven Spielberg who is arguably the greatest director ever. The man behind countless classics such as Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, and Saving Private Ryan just to name a few. Second, it is a remake of one of greatest films ever made. So yeah, those two things got me pretty pumped to check this out. Also, it is getting a large amount of Oscar buzz which is something you can come to expect with any movie from Spielberg. However, this one has got a legit shot at winning Best Picture if you ask me, so now you just need to keep reading to find out why I feel that way.

Where to start? I might as well start with the man in charge, the legend himself, Steven Spielberg. Some are saying that Spielberg’s direction isn’t very visible when watching, and also that he should not be getting lauded as the best director with this being a remake, but if you compare this to the original, there are so many things that stick out. One, Spielberg made a ton of creative decisions that differ from the original. For example, when it comes to the big bombastic musical numbers, he changed the locations for where they take place in this film and while that may seem small, I think it went a long way. Two, there is a lot more movement in this film, especially with the camera work. Within the first five minutes of the film, I promise you will be in awe at the true magic of cinema you will be witnessing on the big screen. His direction was just great here, and he checked every box. His direction was so good that he made the film capture both the joy of the old Hollywood musical while still feeling very much like an updated take. It was just some of the most unbelievable filmmaking of the year and you can lock in Spielberg for his umpteenth Best Director nomination.

Speaking of nominations, I would bet a lot of money on at least one performance getting nominated, when really every performance is worthy of a nomination. The ensemble cast was just spectacular and I thought every performance was very authentic. The two that stole the show for me however were the women, Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose. For Zegler, it is remarkable to me that this is her first feature film. She made it big on YouTube and now she is starring in a Spielberg film, and after watching her in this, I quickly realized this is only the beginning for what will probably be a pretty great acting career for her. Also, her voice is flat out amazing and she might have a future in not only acting, but also singing.

As for DeBose, she absolutely killed it here. Every second that she is on screen, she just has a magnetic presence. It might be her beauty, but she was just outstanding in this film. She really put all her emotions on display and she just had this indefinable quality that drew me to her and made her such a memorable character. I really think she is this year’s Best Supporting Actress and I would love for her to take home the trophy. Fun fact here, Rita Moreno won the Best Supporting Actress award in 1961 for her portrayal of the same character DeBose plays in the original, and she is back again in this remake as a different character. Despite the different character, she still makes her presence felt nonetheless. She really fits her character in this and she also has a scene that might make you shed a tear, just a heads up!

As for the actors, I loved the big three of Ansel Elgort, Mike Faist, and David Alvarez. I am biased when it comes to Elgort as I just fell in love with him as an actor in middle school when I watched The Fault in Our Stars for the first time, but also again years later in high school when he was the star of Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver. This wasn’t a career best performance from him, but I thought he played his character flawlessly and he was just very good in this if you ask me.

As for Faist, he was definitely a stand out in the film. They really fleshed out his character a ton here, more so than they did in the original, and I loved that. Faist did an excellent job at showing the vulnerability of his character and also his underlying insecurities. Alvarez was also really strong in his role as Maria’s extremely prideful and overprotective brother Bernardo. Alvarez did an excellent job at really expressing his character’s pride for his nationality in a way that was very authentic and true, but not over the top like we see with other movies sometimes. Both Faist and Alvarez are very worthy of nominations for Best Supporting Actor and I would be fine with either as they both bring so much to this picture.

No spoiler here, but this is a musical, and wow oh wow if you think I’m kidding when I say that every song in this is a banger, I am not! Seriously though, there isn’t a single song in this that misses for me. This is all the more impressive considering we are getting the exact same lyrics, the exact same songs and compositions from the original (it really is only the dialogue in between those scenes that is different). I don’t have kids yet, but I’m going to compare asking me to pick a favorite song in this film to asking a parent to pick their favorite child. I JUST CAN’T! I absolutely love both “Maria” and “Tonight”, but my girlfriend would kill me if I didn’t mention her favorite and probably the audience's favorite, “America”. All in all, you won’t be disappointed with the music in this and I have already added the soundtrack to my playlist.

The look of this film is incredible so we might as well next discuss the cinematography that was done by Janusz Kamiński. Every scene is gorgeous, but there were a few scenes that were just absolutely stunning. The scene in the gymnasium when the main characters meet each other for the first time under the bleachers was just a chef’s kiss. The lighting was breathtaking and the shot itself was just pitch perfect. Other scenes that stuck out were both the big fight scene and the “America” song and dance number. Both were exquisitely well done and truly beautiful. You will be blown away by the look of this film from start to finish. The film is just what I would call dazzling. The lighting choices and the colors are so vibrant, and it is more than deserving of a Best Cinematography nomination at the Academy Awards.

Continuing with the look of West Side Story, let’s discuss its production design. The production design in this is just stupid. Stupid in a good way. The set pieces in all of the song and dance numbers are superb. It is a lock for a nomination for Best Production Design. Last but not least, the choreography we got from Justin Peck was just top notch and he showed his expertise in every musical number. Very impressed.

THE BAD

Overall, there is no denying that I loved this film. I’ve said it a hundred times, but I am a sucker for musicals. However, the thing that keeps this from being a perfect 10/10 on my end is just the screenplay. There is a lot about this story that might have passed in the 1961 version that I think could use an update. Now don’t get me wrong, the story is charming, but there is no denying the story feels a little silly for today’s standards. I mean the two characters fall head over heels in love with each other as soon as they lock eyes and the story just expects you to subscribe to that notion. It didn’t take anything away from me as a viewer, but it certainly will be hard for some people to subscribe and connect with that romance at all as it is just so far-fetched.

Continuing on with the screenplay, there are just some things with the story that make you scratch your head. For example, there is a pivotal moment in the film where somebody does something unforgivable, but the other character quickly forgives them and it just is not believable in any way, shape, or form. Also, the end of this story just leaves a bad taste in your mouth. I understand why Spielberg didn’t change it because it could have changed the entire film in the worst way, but it just isn’t the resolution I wanted. All in all, the film is still very enjoyable and easily one of the year's best.

THE VERDICT

West Side Story is a wonderfully extravagant musical film from the legend himself, Steven Spielberg, that is, dare I say, better than the original. I think it is Spielberg’s best film since Saving Private Ryan (1998) as he really directs this film in a new updated way, but yet still pushes the ever so important love-over-hate message that is still very relevant today.

I just loved this movie so much as it has everything you could ever ask for. The performances from the ensemble cast are all astounding, but nobody shines brighter than Ariana DeBose who just has the undeniable magnetic presence that will likely win her Best Supporting Actress. Also, it is one of the most dazzling movies I have ever seen with its exquisite cinematography, out-of-this-world production design, and some remarkable choreography. The 1961 version collected plenty of Oscar nominations, and I think the 2021 version will do just the same and it deserves every one coming its way.