Running time: 156 minutes
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, Rita Moreno, Mike Faist, David Alvarez
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
The story: Whilst tension builds between rival gangs, two young people from opposite sides find themselves falling in love.
The verdict: From the moment the finger snapping begins, Spielberg’s West Side Story has you. Shot in glorious widescreen, this is a truly cinematic remake that will have even the most sceptical of audiences sat upright in their seats and trying to drink in as many of the gorgeous visuals as possible.
Spielberg has opted for a muted grey colour palette, which in any other circumstance could feel dull and depressing - not here though. The colours perfectly match 1950’s New York and when the musical numbers begin, the bursts of colour really pop. West Side Story is undoubtedly a beautiful film to look at.
The musical numbers are engaging and the performances are great. Two performances that particularly stood out were that of Mike Faist and Ariana DeBose, who play Riff and Anita respectively. Whenever either of those characters were on screen then they demand the audience’s attention completely with amazingly charismatic performances. Newcomer Rachel Zegler is also great and she will doubtlessly go on to have a massive career.
When the remake of West Side Story was announced, it was naturally received with scepticism. Why remake such a classic? However, Spielberg’s version is so incredible that it may even make you wonder why it wasn’t remade sooner. This is another film that shows audiences that this is what cinema is all about - big, bold and beautiful.
The rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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