Or better put, Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story”. The director’s long-awaited re-imagining of the Leonard Bernstein Broadway musical gave us a small tease during the last Academy Awards ceremony. Now 20th Century Studios has unveiled a bonafide trailer – a deeper look at a project that has an old-school look but with some catchy modernized touches. The movie is written by frequent Spielberg collaborator Tony Kushner (“Lincoln”, “Munich”) and is led by a spirited young cast.
The story (loosely inspired by William Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet” follows two teens (played by Rachel Zegler and Ansel Elgort) who fall in love despite each having connections to rival New York City gangs. Set in the 1950’s, I’m sure the production design will be outstanding and hopefully the musical numbers are lively. On top of that, it’s super exciting to see Janusz Kamiński as cinematographer. He won two Academy Awards for Speilberg’s “Schindler’s List” and “Saving Private Ryan”. I can’t wait to see the visual style he brings to this.
“West Side Story” opens in theaters December 10th. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.
Keith & the Movies 
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I have my doubts but if there is anyone who could bring the special touch that this musical requires it’s probably Spielberg. I think there is room for improvement here, I haven’t seen the film in so long, in fact last time was surely when I was not quite so attentive to detail and certainly not as aware of problematic stereotypes and all that. I think West Side Story had it’s issues with that so it’ll be curious to see what’s kept and what’s discarded or modernized
I’m clinging to the Spielberg touch. That’s the most intriguing thing about the film to me. I’m actually not the biggest fan of the original and haven’t seen it in well over a decade.
I don’t think so. It does look like a Spielberg film but… where’s the vibrant colors? Where’s the looseness?
I think I would pay $500 to see Robert de Niro do a one-man show where he just sings songs from that film. Hell, act in it as well.
I am interested mainly because of Spielberg. And I thought the production design looked pretty good. Hopefully he pulls it off.
🟣 Pass 💤 🟣
Booo
I’m not a fan of musicals, barely made it through The Greatest Showman, so will give it a miss.
I can 100% respect that. Musicals are a special taste and they aren’t high on my list. But the ones I like I really like. Fingers crossed.