Rating: 
Summary: GREAT FOR THE FAMILY
Review: Though the youngest members of your family will not necessarily get what subtlety exists in this epic romance, and there is much implied violence, this classic musical is an excellent introduction to today's generation the real heat, talent and creativity behind those GAP commercials...The score alone remains one of the most memorable and emotionally satisfying Broadway scores ever; the choreography is a non-stop show of balletic grace, beauty and violence. Set in the real streets of New York, this movie has it all: a Romeo and Juliet love story, featuring the adorable and winning Natalie Wood, who despite the fact that she is lip-synching to Marnie Nixon's lovely soprano, does a smashing job in the role of Maria. Richard Beymer, who continued to play Tony onstage for many years, is goofily winning as Tony. Rita Moreno adds fire and spice in the flashy role of Anita. Robert Wise, who would later helm The Sound Of Music, works magic with Jerome Robbins; the film is gorgeous to look at. Why oh why oh why can we not produce a musical of such immediate power and lasting emotion today? I truly believe that if the right creative team took the chance on something as hip and well-drawn as this, people would flock once again to see musicals on film. Buy it.
Rating:
Summary: A Definite Necessity For Any True Movie Lover's Collection
Review: Viewing really old classic movies often requires watching with a grain of salt. While I can respect a classic for what it may have been during its time period, I've been jaded by the spector of modern movies and find it hard to find entertainment in older ones. West Side Story is an outstanding movie, even in the context of modern works.In the style of "Romeo & Juliet" by William Shakespeare, the movie is the story of two star-crossed lovers whose romantic fate ends in tragedy. Maria (Natalie Wood) is a beautiful Puerto Rican girl whose older brother is the leader of a Puerto Rican street gang called the Sharks. Tony (Richard Beymer) is Caucasian, and a member of a rival street gang called the Jets. Just as in Shakespeare's play, the two meet at a dance and instantly fall in love. Because of their loyalties to opposite gangs, they try and keep their romance discreet and must meet to see each other in secret places. There's a very cute and touching scene where they meet up in the clothing store where Maria works, and they pretend to get married. For inconsequential reasons I cannot remember, the rival gangs decide to organize a fight against each other. Not wanting her brother or Tony to get harmed, Maria begs Tony to try and stop the fight. Instead of stopping the fight, Tony ends up killing Maria's brother. Tony runs to Maria to console her and be consoled at the same time, but both the police and the rest of the Sharks are looking to hunt him down. It needs to be mentioned that this isn't just a movie, but a musical. There are several catchy songs in this picture, many of which have subsequently been referenced in TV shows, commercials, music, and other genres of pop culture. There is also an incredible amount of choreography from beginning to end. Even the fight scenes are choreographed to resemble ballet dances. This movie also makes a powerful statement on a number of issues including love, brotherhood, loyalty, and poverty. Though it was in 1961, it still delivers a timely message that applies to the present. It goes without saying that this movie is a must-see, and a definite necessity for any true movie lover's personal collection.
Rating:
Summary: I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: This movie is the best movie I've ever seen! It's my absolute favorite movie ever in the history of the world! I've seen it over 6 times, and I never get tired of it! All those who think it's a bad movie are crazy! It's a classic and it rocks! I don't think I'll ever get tired of watching it. Okay, some of the music and choriography is a little corny, but the story is one of a kind! It's awesome! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Undiminished brilliance
Review: As most audiences know, "West Side Story" is a modern-day musical based on Shakespeare's tragedy ROMEO AND JULIET. In this updated version of the story, two rival New York City street gangs known as the "Sharks" and the "Jets" replace the feuding Montague and Capulet families of the original play. "West Side Story" was originally released in 1961. Yet its brilliance remains undiminished. From the dazzling, street-smart direction by Robert Wise to Jerome Robbins' innovative choreography which melds raucous athleticism with balletic grace and precision, "West Side Story" is an unqualified triumph. Leonard Bernstein's vibrant, inventive, and uncommonly beautiful melodies challenge and engulf the audiences' senses. Bernstein's score is still one of the finest ever written for theater or film. Stephen Sondheim's verse is poetic and socially relevant. Sondheim expresses himself with economy and clarity which are highly effective. There are few musicals on stage or on screen as riveting as "West Side Story". Don't miss this one!
Rating:
Summary: Here Come THE JETS!
Review: WEST SIDE STORY remains unique...to the point of astounding...in status among most accomplished classics in cinema history. Legendary director Robert Wise[whose eclectic mastery of film ranges from "lost" mythology epic, HELEN OF TROY to sci-fi milestones-THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL and STAR TREK:The Movie]perfectly renders a film of passion;tragedy;humor and ultimate celebration of youthful humanity. Leonard Bernstein's score is peerless Americana: classic ART and popular entertainment.Jerome Robbins'choreography is electrifying;Steven Sondheim's "libretto lyrics" are ensconded in popular music immortality. West Side Story's ensemble cast is likewise peerless.
Natalie Wood is superb as American JULIET, Maria. Richard Beymer's Tony/Romeo charcterization wonderfuly combines heroic "tough guy" with star-crossed lover. George Chakris(Bernardo)and Russ Tamblyn (Riff)jive; fight and dance their rival gangs into legend. My favorite is Rita Moreno.Her performance as earth mother/eternal woman figure, ANITA is remarkable. Her ferocious sexual brio;lioness-Queen humor("if you can fight in/for AMERICA!");home girl insouciance, and passionate GRACE are archetypal.WEST SIDE STORY thematically equals--if not surpasses--its SHAKESPEAREAN progenitor.It is America's SOUND OF MUSIC.The ten Academy Awards could be justly re-awarded. [When I learned "my" homies back in Massachusetts'Pelham Regional High School...citadel/incubator of so-called 5-college professoriate and University of Mass'PC satrapy centered in Amherst...BANNED WEST SIDE STORY as Racist(this year the school is featuring VAGINA MONOLOGUES)I wondered: "WHERE ARE THE JETS when you need them?"]... Certainly WSS was never conceived--as Mel Gibsons's THE PASSION OF CHRIST--to stir Culture War and rally believers. WEST SIDE STORY is,"unsimply",American film making at its finest and cinema art of world class caliber. It is movie ICON,which,as The JETS challenge, remains at-the-ready: "to beat every last f.....'gang on the whole f.....'street!"(10 Stars)
Rating:
Summary: Better Than Romeo And Juliet Ever Thought Of Being.
Review: West Side Story is my second favorite musical of all time (second only to Grease.) This is a definately more real and compelling story than Romeo and Juliet. Maria and Tony are so real together. The movie itself is brilliant. The music and dance sequences are always vibrant and non-stop and the music is electric and colorful. The acting is wonderful, especially Natalie's, and Anita's. The movie has issues that Romeo and Juliet never dealt with. Like racism, and predjudice. All in all the film is excellent and it definately gives Skakespeare a run for his money.
Rating:
Summary: Undiminished brilliance
Review: As most audiences know, "West Side Story" is a modern-day musical based on Shakespeare's tragedy ROMEO AND JULIET. In this updated version of the story, two rival New York City street gangs known as the "Sharks" and the "Jets" replace the feuding Montague and Capulet families of the original play. "West Side Story" was originally released in 1961. Yet its brilliance remains undiminished. From the dazzling, street-smart direction by Robert Wise to Jerome Robbins' innovative choreography which melds raucous athleticism with balletic grace and precision, "West Side Story" is an unqualified triumph. Leonard Bernstein's vibrant, inventive, and uncommonly beautiful melodies challenge and engulf the audiences' senses. Bernstein's score is still one of the finest ever written for theater or film. Stephen Sondheim's verse is poetic and socially relevant. Sondheim expresses himself with economy and clarity which are highly effective. There are few musicals on stage or on screen as riveting as "West Side Story". Don't miss this one!
Rating:
Summary: Very Good Story
Review: This movie is wonderful for all ages it has wonderful music.No profanity and wonderful performances.So this movie is worth every penny you spend on it!
Rating:
Summary: West Side Story 5 Star Movie !!!!!
Review: I can not say enough about this movie. I just turned 33 years old and I was pretty young when I first saw this movie. As of this day, that movie still touches my heart. And there has not been a time that I watched that movie and it did not make me shed a tear. If you like musicals, dancing and a wonderful movie plot this is the movie for you. I love this movie and would recommend it to anyone. This movie is definitely a 5 star movie !!!!
Rating:
Summary: MY favorite
Review: This movie is my favorite movie of all time. My mother and my aunt have raised me with musicals. I've been watching musicals before I could even talk. But this One I didn't see untill I was old enough to understand the beauty of the dancing. But in all catagories this movie is my favorite. Action (the fighting between the two gangs) Romance (the romeo and juliet love story)Horror(the death of her brother and riff)and then of course It's a musical. I truly love this movie and all my friends and boyfriend know they don't have to like it but don't say anything bad about it in my presence.
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