West Side Story (2021)

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⭐ 10.0/10

(Originally written by Tim)

What a time at the movies! After watching the original and then seeing the trailer for this one I was convinced it was going to be amazing, and it did not let me down. The updated cast (with people who actually look Puerto Rican), updated choreography, and even some slight story and motivation changes put this completely over the top for me.

I can't say I really appreciate dance, but watching this musical with Spielberg's long wide shots was pretty awesome, and reminded me of seeing La La Land in theatres. I am glad I knew the songs and story going in, and I thought every change they made in this adaptation was a good thing. No more of the cutesy dance fighting, when someone gets slammed in the head with a paint can in the first 5 minutes I was on board.

Every actor killed it, and I felt that each was given a lot to do, with little details that help make this Romeo and Juliet tale not feel so overly sappy. 2 people still have a love at first sight moment, but their relationship and the reactions to it felt more earned in this iteration. I also felt that none of the songs stood out in the original, but now I can't get any of them out of my head!

This movie is a great time, and I would and will recommend it to everyone.

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