West Side Story is one of the most enduring musical greats. Most people, no matter their age, will at least know of the forbidden love meets gang culture plot.
This is why the world was excited to hear that Steven Spielberg had taken on the musical for a new movie adaption and now that it has finally been released after being pushed back a year due to the pandemic, it’s safe to say that he did not disappoint.
Despite it being Spielberg’s first time ever directing a musical, the Academy-Award-winning filmmaker is clearly a natural, with the remake getting rave reviews from fans and film critics.
The film, which stars newcomer Rachel Zegler as lead Maria Vasquez, has been praised for its stellar cast with The Guardian’s review, crediting Zegler “whose vibrantly natural performance almost singlehandedly justifies this “reimagining” from director Steven Spielberg.”
Meanwhile, fans on twitter seemed to agree, with one tweeting: “I just saw West Side Story in theatres and Rachel Zegler, who plays West, she gave everything.”
Similarly, another tweeted:”Steven Spielberg’s WEST SIDE STORY is an American masterpiece not seen in years. Impeccable craft, passionate performances & spectacle with tragedy even more relevant today. Rachel Zegler & Ariana DeBose give star-making turns as the film’s beating heart. Best Picture confirmed.”
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Others even went as far as saying it was better than the original, with one fan tweeting: “The new West Side Story movie is [whispers] better in most ways than the original West Side Story movie. See it on the biggest screen you can.”