The Good, The Bad and The Critic

Established on March 19th, 2012 and pioneered by film fanatic Michael J. Carlisle. The Good, The Bad and The Critic will analyze classic and contemporary films from all corners of the globe. This title references Sergei Leone's influential spaghetti western The Good, The Bad and the Ugly.

Saturday, December 11, 2021

West Side Story (2021) Review

Title: West Side Story
Year: 2021
Director: Steven Spielberg
Country: US
Language: English


Robert Wise's Oscar winning  theatrical version of the 1957 Broadway hit West Side Story has always been a favorite of mine, but fell short of being considered "great". Even 20 years ago. many elements of the film, such as white actors using brownface to play Puerto Ricans, felt very dated. When I first heard Steven Spielberg was remaking an updated version of the film I instantly desired to see it= and I did, in Imax. 

A musical twist on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is about two people from rival gangs, The white Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks, who fall into a forbidden love affair. 

Steven Spielberg's adaptation/remake does everything a great update should do; it removes many of the original's dated elements, it builds on fan favorite scenes (The song America is given a much more vibrant showcase) and it adds just enough new elements to give this "new" picture a unique flair. Spielberg captures the joy of the Classic Hollywood musical, while fleshing out the primary conflict and adding more social elements. 

West Side Story is the most dazzling film you'll see all year. It will sweep you off your feet with its gorgeous cinematography, brilliant cinematography (all the actors are professional dancers), breathtaking lighting and inspired production design. It's honestly hard to imagine the film not winning Best Picture, along with a ton of other Oscars. 

Perhaps, if I'm being nitpicky, West Side Story could have improved upon the romance, making it more than just a "love at first sight" deal. It could have also made a more bold statement against white supremacy (The Jets are antagonizing The Sharks). Despite this, the film is easily the best of 2021. This version is better than the original and I am shocked that I could think this way. 


 


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1 comment:

  1. Larry James GianakosDecember 20, 2021 at 8:05 PM

    This is no doubt the best film of the year and should win Best Picture by acclamation.

    Its competition is truly anemic and were it not for esoteric art house critics films like the painfully tedious "The Power of the Dog" would have already passed into oblivion.

    The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences should shower it with at least as many Oscars as its 1961 predecessor, already the most honored film musical of all time.

    But it matters not whatever horrible influence the increasingly insufferable critical groups have to say, for in the end, master director's "re-imagining" (as he calls it) of the ageless masterpiece that is "West Side Story" will stand the test of time, to be discussed anew by generations yet unborn, whereas much of its "art house" competition are destined to be kicked to the curb of irrelevance once awards season is over.

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