West Side Story, The Way It Oughta Be

Hello to you. In 2002, I lucked out. The 1st film I saw in a cinema was an anniversary reissue of Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, a classical piece of celluloid. Luckily, in December, 2021, the most recent movie I spectated in a theatre was by Spielberg, too. The film was West Side Story, which totally enamored me.

The seminful Leonard Bernstein-Stephen Sondheim songs were arranged and played miraculously. All of the musical aspects were overseen terrifically. The choreography by Justin Peck is precise and dynamic (Justin and Steven didn't work sadistically). With designs by Paul Tazewell, the costumes are sumptuously executed. With editing in tact, via Sarah Broshar and Michael Kahn, Janusz Kiminski's cinematography flabbergasts. Because of Adam Stockhausen and the scenery people, there's marvelous settings. They mesh with location-footage. The visual effects are flashy. I'm gobsmacked by the sound-mixing, particularly during the Quintet sequence. I am admiring of the film's props, makeup, hair and lighting, too.

Thanks to Cindy Tolan, there's tremendous individuals in the film. I found Nadia Quinn's bitrole enjoyable. Mike Iveson supplied character work as Glad Hand. We're given gritful appearances by Curtiss Cook and Jamie Harris. It's gratifying seeing theatre performers like Ana Isabelle, Paloma Garcia-Lee, Jonalyn Saxer and Andrea Burns on a movie screen. I'm grateful that Maddie Ziegler got a worthwhile movie role. The remainder of the Shark and Jet ensemble members spellbind. Brian d'Arcy James's Officer Krupke is relatably exasperated. Corey Stoll's totally contemptable as Lt. Schrank. Regarding Anybodys, Iris Menas and Tony Kushner inserted dimensions and depths into a character I was previously indifferent to. Josh Andres Rivera acted their respective rear off as Chino. Transforming the character of Doc into Valentina was an uncanny idea, the vaunty Rita Moreno was utterly breathtaking. With expertise, Mike Faist portrayed Riff as demented toughie. David Alvarez was a macho tour de force as Bernardo. Likewise, the divine Ariana DeBose was thoroughly riveting as Anita. In a totally radiant film debut, Rachel Zegler is believably infatuated as Maria.

Kushner elevated the Arthur Laurent story. The Spanish dialogue dialogue added legitimacy. Though I didn't know all the words, I got the gist. The musical's overture crafts an efficient opening. Our principals are given layers. Cool is nail-biting. I admire I Feel Pretty's switch 'cause the audience is aware of Maria's impending heartbreak. Tony took Somewhere, a previously removed song, and turned it into an impactful scene. Smartly, the Girls vs. Boys America is used. The film has ambience. Spectacle and intimacy are used appropriately. This is a film that knows how to transition into musical numbers. Similar to Nancy's death in 1968's Oliver!, the scene with Anita at the drugstore is harrowing. When death occurred in the film, it's brutal. The ending is brilliantly bleakful.

I admired the usage of Latin artists and the cast's singing prowess. After being affiliated with musical projects such as An American Tail and Animaniacs, it's lovely that Steven got to direct one. It is evident that Spielberg was impassionate about the piece. The film's directed incredibly. Its trailers certainly won me over. The film exceeded my expectations. Hopefully Gypsy gets the same treatment as a film.