Movie Review-WESTSIDE STORY

West Side Story is a remake of the original Broadway play from 1957. It's directed by Steven

Spielberg and a very updated take on the original play. First, the movie is culturally accurate with

Latino actors playing the Puerto Rican actors in the film. In the original movie version, Maria

was played by American actress Natalie Wood. In the new version, Maria is played by Latina

actress Rachel Zegler, the product of a Columbian mother and an American father. 

The story is about two rival gangs, The Jets and the Sharks, who hate the others presence in the

neighborhood. The white kids feel like the Puerto Ricans are trying to take over the neighborhood

and the Puerto Ricans just want to be left alone to enjoy their new neighborhood. 

The choreography in the movie is absolutely amazing. The dance scenes along with the colorful

outfits worn by the Puerto Ricans absolutely make the screen pop with color. Spielberg does an

excellent job with the filming of the movie. 

Also, the old songs are reviewed with a very modern touch, and I had forgotten how many classic

songs come from the original stage play. Songs like, I Feel Pretty, Somewhere, Tonight and

of course Maria are all reprised in the movie.

The actors give a spirited performance in all of the roles. Spielberg’s updated version of West

Side Story is a pure delight. The forbidden love story between Maria and Tony (Ansel Elgort) is

reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. I loved it.

The movie is rated PG-13 for violence and has a run time of 2 hours and 36 minutes. On my

"Hollywood Popcorn Scale" West Side Story rates a JUMBO.