West Side Story Review

I realised I haven't done a review in a long time on this blog, and I thought why not do one now. Especially after going to see the new West Side Story and realise it bombed in the box office. That surprised me a lot because I honestly thought it was a great adaptation of a classic film. 

Now I know the thing with remakes is you can't help but compare it to the original. Remakes have started to get a bad reputation especially with Disney bringing a new one out every year. Another issue with remakes is when it happens to be a musical. Take Cats for example which bombed very hard and also the fact it competed against other big films during that period. The same goes for West Side Story where it is competing with big films. Also Covid makes it a little more difficult. I'm sure if Covid wasn't around then West Side Story will have done way better. 

Here are my thoughts on Steven Spielberg's West Side Story. 

I absolutely loved it and thought it was a nice take on the original if not better. The choreography was incredible, and the singing was definitely a step up to the original. I wasn't sure about Ansel Elgort and whether he could sing but I was proved wrong. I got teary at parts because it was just so beautiful. The diversity of the cast was also a big step up and the inclusion of Spanish with no subtitles was a genius idea. If you're like me who doesn't know much or any Spanish it was not a problem because the emotion spoke for itself and it truly is a beautiful language. It just felt natural. Even though there weren't that many big names in the film, I don't think it mattered. I know a lot of the cast came from the Broadway revival and it really showed. I found myself not even bother to compare it to the original because there was no point. West Side Story was inspired by Romeo and Juliet and if you know what happens in the end, you expect it. Another thing I liked is I felt like you got to know the characters a little better and why the way they are. Like Tony and Rif especially. You understand the characters motivation for what they do, and it makes sense. 

Trust me, West Side Story is not like other musical remakes. It deserves a lot more credit than what the box office is saying. If you have a chance to go see it in the cinema, I highly recommend it and I believe any doubts of remakes and movie musicals will be proved wrong. It won a Golden Globe for best musical so that should count for something and definitely worth a watch. 

It's an updated version of a classic with improved singing, choreography and set design. So if you're not busy, go see West Side Story in the cinema or buy it when it comes out because it is an underrated masterpiece. Even my own mother who loves the original really enjoyed it. I promise you that you won't be disappointed. 

Anyway, that was my little review of Steven Spielberg's West Side Story. 

Thank you for reading my blog and I'll be back again soon with another post. 

See you then.

Megan x 

*This is not a sponsored post* 

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