Rating: 
Summary: Never mind the movie, is that last review a joke!
Review: So "The gangs in the film represented TOTAL COOL to a young audience back then"?
Since when was the 1950s a beautiful era when the worst anyone had to fear was a troupe of ballet dancers? This was not cool in the 50s or any other era, Hell, most B movies from the 50s are probably square compared with what actually went on but they were clearly a damn sight more realistic because they weren't playing by Hollywood rules .West Side Story is pure Hollywood all the way, and 50's Hollywood was a propaganda machine -need I say more?First, the music. Remember that rock& roll had been knocking about in various forms for a good many years before Elvis arrived, and he actually had arrived by the time this was written. Delinquent slum kids would have been able to get hold of this music even if the middle class kids were being policed and we're hardly supposed to believe that they'd be listening to what's on offer here. The same goes for the dancing, a good dance hall scene would be one thing but what sort of gang is gonna be doing ballet on rooftops? I'm sorry, but that was not realism. Secondly, the racial politics. The racism was greatly played down in the movie not only, I suspect, because of censorship but because the makers of the movie were attempting to gloss over the reality and not present it as a serious issue. The interracial love story is basically presented as a form of cultural smugness (one tribe which defeats another will keep the women for themselves rather than kill them, they remain a desirable commodity) Had this not have been tragedy, no doubt it would have followed the route of other interracial love stories made at the time, Maria, newly liberated by her love for the clean cut American, would have still been expected to fulfil the same roll, that of wife and mother, but the fact that Tony "respects" her would have made it perfectly acceptable.
The Jets, who are more clean cut and less threatening, are basically nice all American boys who look like they probably love mom's apple pie and play for the school football team. The Sharks are clearly more sexual, dangerous and glamorous and are of course portrayed as villains, other than the women of course. Other points to note include the ending (not the same as in Romeo and Juliet on which it was based), the acting (Natalie Wood does not make a good Puerto Rican and quite frankly she puts no effort into making the portrayal realistic) and the fact that nobody, I don't think, sings for themselves. It's also very long and could have done with severe editing. Verdict: If you are interested in the social climate of the 1950s you can learn a lot from the way this story is interpreted. If you want some hot interracial love and gang action then I can't yet recommend the right movie for you, but it sure as hell ain't this one!
Rating: 
Summary: Don't Listen to Detractors! WSS is a Great Film!
Review: "West Side Story" is obviously a modernized update (for 1961) of "Romeo and Juliet," but some younger people today snicker at the dancing and singing in the film because it seems so dated to them. Since they have not grown up in an era where film musicals were normal, they do not understand it when they see men dancing and singing. For them, it's silly, questionably entertaining, and maybe even laughable. And to suggest any problems with masculinity by watching this film is outrageous. Let's set the record straight: These people wouldn't know quality filmmaking if it ran them over like a TANK. This film has awesome cinematography, very complex dance numbers, a beautiful score, and a story that intelligent viewers can not only enjoy, but relate to as well. It is a basic story of love that exists despite some serious restrictions. It follows the "Romeo and Juliet" theme, but it takes some of its own paths. Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer are great as "Maria" and "Tony." They had a wholesome quality that made the film so popular with kids at the time of it's release. If there is ANYTHING I would recommend to those of you who might scoff at musicals like "West Side Story," I say this: Try to watch it as if you were living in 1961 yourself. Try to understand what it was like to be a teenager in the city at that time. There wasn't any rap music then. The gangs in the film represented TOTAL COOL to a young audience back then. The actors were peers. They touched a chord with young audiences back then because the struggles of immigrants, and the discontent of others, were real issues. Give the film a break and see it for what it is; A well-crafted film set in a different time, but with issues that still matter to a 21st Century audience. Don't be so quick to dismiss it. You just might enjoy yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Is this movie a joke?
Review: There were men dancing ... dancing! But let me explain a bit further ... or try to. You see, they weren't simply dancing, they were prancing and frolicing around ... you know, like little boys and girls eating cookies and candycanes in a field of flowers. That's what I saw! I swear it! But that's not all. They all wore costumes, or little outfits, too, as if it were Halloween. These are grownup men and women, I remind you, wearing the strange costumes and doing the dancing and prancing ... grownups! I do realize that this silliness has its reasons, that the film has a message, and so on, but -- sweet Lord! -- filmakers, can't you find another form of expression than this! Perhaps by painting a picture, writing a book, a poem -- can't you illuminate your message another way? Why have you chosen to make fools out of so many men? And women, too -- I'm not a sexist! You made both the sexes look like fools! I gave this joke of a movie one star, not because I had to, but because I felt it should get one, just one, for its positive message.
Rating: 
Summary: Considered classic, but...
Review: Yeah, "Romeo and Juliette" in dirty poor industrial area of New York. So instead of noblemen, fighting because the whole humanity was constantly fighting that times, we have gangs of youngsters, fighting because they are just stupid. Although the result is the same, nice guy and girl are both dead. This film should have a certain strong sentimental value, if you had grown in this culture. For more fortumate ones, it's probably repelling. Well, it is for me.
Rating: 
Summary: The Best Tragic Love Story!
Review: Ok, the other night, I was watching the WB, and I accidentally hit channel 41, aka Turner Classic Movies. There was a scene where Tony was singing solo and I thought "hey! it's an earlier version of grease!" so i watched it and it was GOOD. Maria and Tony where the original parts of the movie. I cried at the ending soooo hard cause she (Maria) lost 2 men most important to her in the same night. Out of The Sharks (the Puerto Ricans) and The Jets (the Americans) i think i'd feel "Cooler" as a Shark! You never expect all three guys to die. WHEN WILL THE VIOLENCE END?!? (oops!...)
Rating: 
Summary: Impressive Music and Performers, But Visually Awkward
Review: There is much to recommend this film: fine performances, great choreography, and some of the best music ever written for the American theatre. Unfortunately, the individual parts are much more interesting than the package as a whole. WEST SIDE STORY is a retelling of Shakespeare's ROMEO AND JULIET updated to 1950s New York, with the conflicting families of the Shakespeare drama reinterpreted into rival gangs. Natalie Wood (although dubbed) makes a charming Maria, and George Chakiris, Russ Tamblyn, and Rita Moreno are particularly effective in their gang-member roles. But the movie drags in a visual sense. There are striking visual differences between scenes actually filmed in New York and scenes filmed on soundstages--the two do not mesh, and as a result you may feel that you are watching two stylistically different films that were cut together to make a single story. Musical fans may enjoy it, but most others will probably be squirming long before the movie ends.
Rating:
Summary: Romeo and Juliet Set To Music
Review: Those who have nothing will do everything in their power to protect it, even if all they have is territory, in which case they will claim ownership by planting a metaphorical flag in the middle of it and marking the boundaries. And, forever after, anyone invading their "turf" had better have a good reason, because within this imaginary domain a peer status is also established, and to some-- especially the ones at the top of the pyramid-- this becomes all they have or will ever hope to have in their entire lives. But there is one thing that will ultimately, at least for some, supersede this delusional monarchy, and that thing is universal: Love. Which is exactly what happens when a young couple from different sides of the street fall in love, in the landmark musical "West Side Story," directed by Robert Wise, with staging and choreography by Jerome Robbins. The streets of New York City are the setting for this contemporary version of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," the drama of which plays out within the confines of a microcosmic world which encompasses a sparse few city blocks and is ruled by rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, who are constantly vying for territory and whose soul purpose in life is protecting their turf. Tony (Richard Beymer) is a former Jet, once one of their leaders, in fact, but has left it all behind in an attempt to get on with his life. His best friend, Riff (Russ Tamblyn), however, is still the leader of the Jets, who are currently embroiled in their ongoing fight with the Sharks. Maria (Natalie Wood) is Puerto Rican, and her brother, Bernardo (George Chakiris) is the leader of the Sharks. And when circumstances bring Tony and Maria together and they fall in love, it sets the stage for tragedy on a grand scale, all of which is captured on the screen in this film, the most celebrated musical of all time. When a movie earns ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director (Jerome Robbins also received a special award for choreography), it clearly indicates that this is a film of extraordinary merit. And this one is-- by anyone's measuring stick. Told through the magic of music, presented through the dramatic and driving Oscar winning songs and score of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, Shakespeare's tragic love story becomes a transporting, memorable experience that is at once a sweeping visual extravaganza while at the same time an intimate chronicle of the romance between the star-crossed lovers, Tony and Maria. Lavishly staged, the film evokes a true 1950's sensibility while retaining the agelessness of the passion at the heart of the story. The production numbers are dynamic, from the quietude of the enthralling and poignant "Maria," and the perky, uplifting "I Feel Pretty," to the energetic "Dance At The Gym" and the thundering, dramatic strains which accompany the rumble. This is an example of filmmaking at it's best, brought to fruition through the talents of Wise, Robbins and a superlative cast and crew, whose many and varied individual contributions are too lengthy to mention here. This may not have been Natalie Wood's greatest role, but she is nevertheless unforgettable as Maria. She is charming and beautiful, with riveting, dark eyes that speak volumes about her character. Her accent is passable, if not perfect, but most importantly her natural ability as an actor enables her to create a very real, believable person in Maria. There's an endearing vulnerability about her, yet in her eyes you find the pride and determination that makes Maria strong. It's a solid performance, and just one of the many reasons this film was so well received. This was without question Richard Beymer's day in the sun, career-wise, and his portrayal of Tony is credible, but fairly lackluster. If a weakness in the film could be singled out, it would be his performance; still, he does well enough, but in the end his work here is average, to say the very best. As his buddy, Riff, Russ Tamblyn comes across much better, and makes the most of showcasing his considerable talents in what is one of his most memorable roles, as well. The performances that really steal the show, however, are turned in by George Chakiris as Bernardo, and Rita Moreno as Maria's friend, Anita; both of whom deservedly received Oscars in the Best Supporting categories for their work here. Chakiris, with his dark, good looks has never been more convincing or better in any role, and he has a commanding presence especially in the production numbers. And Moreno is in a class all her own as the fiery Anita; she dominates the screen whenever she is on, especially during the dance at the gym and in the rousing "America." She is such a vital presence in this film, and along with Chakiris, more than helps in bringing the music and story to life. Also in supporting roles that add so much to this film and demand to be singled out, are Tony Mordente, as Action; Tucker Smith, as Ice; David Winters, as Arab; and Eliot Feld, as Baby John. The additional supporting cast includes Simon Oakland (Lieutenant Schrank), Ned Glass (Doc), William Bramley (Officer Krupke), Bert Michaels (Snowboy), Susan Oakes (Anybodys), Gina Trikonis (Graziella), Carole D'Andrea (Velma) Jose De Vega (Chino), Jay Norman (Pepe) and Gus Trikonis (Indio). An emotionally involving story underscored by a blood-stirring soundtrack, "West Side Story" is without question one of the all time great movie musicals, thoroughly entertaining and presented with the kind of flare that is rarely even attempted anymore. Within the genre, it's the best of the best, the realized vision of a group of extraordinary artists. Earning Oscars, as well, for Cinematography, Costumes, Art and Set Direction and editing, this is a prime example of the true magic of the movies.
Rating:
Summary: A West Side Story Fan
Review: This was a great movie! I saw it after I heard one of it's noturious songs "America". A great story of life for Puerto-Ricians in Manhattan. I would recommend watching it with kids who understand racism and gangs, but otherwise it was a REALLY great movie!
Rating:
Summary: Love West Side Story!
Review: My husband just finished working on the technical end of "West Side Story" at the Performing Arts Center in Nashville. Not being one who usually likes musicals - he surprised me by coming home and singing songs from the play. He worked the show for a couple of weeks and at his request I purchased a copy of the VHS tape. We haven't had time to watch it yet, but I've seen it many times and love it every time! Buy this movie!
Rating:
Summary: West Side Story
Review: This was my first musical to watch with the intention of reviewing, so I am inexperienced at critiquing musicals. I did enjoy watching the musical. It is usually better when you watch a movie before you know the final outcome is going to be tragic, but it was still exciting enough to keep my attention. The actors were as realistic as I could imagine one being to do such a persormance. The songs set the tempo of the mood always. It was fun. I would try other musicals based on my initial experience with West Side Story.
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