West Side Story (2021)
This was a struggle to get through, but it is not a bad thing to get pushed outside ones comfort zone and watch something different. I am not really a musical person, though I have enjoyed watching a few live at a theater. Movies like Moulin Rouge or The Phantom of the Opera are also fine. It is usually good songs and a good score that elevates a musical, but I got nothing of that with West Side Story. I can’t remember any of the songs and the Bernstein jazz style is not really my thing.
Stories in musical are usually simple and I find the story here to be okay for what it is, but nothing special. And with such a long running time, it really dragged. All the performers sing and dance and act well enough, and there a few catchy and impressive sing and dance scenes throughout. But I felt no proper chemistry between Tony and Maria, and the otherwise pretty tragic story left me with no emotions at all. No doubt it looks pretty good cinematography wise - perhaps are bit over stylized.
While I am not familiar with the original, this 2021 remake felt too much like a pastiche remake. It is still set in the 50’s - in a hyperreal stylized version. What new does this bring? It could have been interesting to take the story to the present instead, to at least do something. I am sure Spielberg has his reasons.
Watched for Tildes movie of the week
Rating: 2.5