Rating: 
Summary: Just gets better ever time you see it!!
Review: Let me start off by saying that of all the musicals I've ever seen, West Side Story will always be my favorite. I first watched it in one of the high school English classes, and have been hooked ever since. The cast of the movie is incredible, with Natalie Wood as Maria, Richard Beymer as Tony, Rita Moreno as Anita, and George Chakiris as Bernardo. But the actor that I'm most impressed with is one that is hardly ever mentioned. Russ Tamblyn plays Riff, the leader of the Jets and Tony's best friend. He puts so much passion and life into Riff, that it broke my heart when he died. Also this musical has some great songs in it. Whether the characters are singing about love, (Tonight, Somewhere) agrueing about where life is better, (America) or just making fun of the adults, (Gee Officer Krupke)the characters bring it all to life. I would recommend this musical to anyone who is in the mood for a great movie about love and life, and bring a hankie, trust me, you'll need it
Rating:
Summary: A Converging of Talent Produces One of the Greatest Ever
Review: When you take a great composer, a great lyricist, a great choreographer, a great director, a pretty talented young acting team, and a story with universal themes and a respect for the pacing and structure of classical theatre, it is impossible not to produce one of the greatest films of all time.I can understand a younger audience being less than enthralled about listening to a lot of dialogue in the vernacular idioms of a previous generation, but this film is hardly timebound. Most know of the Romeo and Juliet plot dramatized with typical Hell's Kitchen, New York street gangs, one Puerto Rican the other more native, of the post-war fifties, and this is hardly incidental to the story. The war between the better and lesser angels of our nature play out the same way regardless of time or place in history. Modern drama at times has attempted to define tragedy as a morally ambiguous universe, but the drama has classically been treated as a means of elevating our appreciation for innate moral and spiritual truths by exploring the tragic consequences of one or more of them being absent. Unique as a musical tragedy, the film's lyrics and melodies continuously shiver from jazzed-up tough urban desperation to lyrics conveying a fragile hope and longing. But the hope never survives very long before the insane, self-destructiveness of these gangs, desperately attempting to create esteem for themselves by projecting evil onto each other, climaxes in violence, then again in vengeance. Performances are excellent all-around, with one especially worth praising. Many years ago The Harvard Lampoon found Natalie Wood's acting ability a subject for mockery, which says more about spoiled, more-enlightened-than-thou pseudo-intellectuals than the late, beautiful actress. Ms. Wood's performance as Maria could not have been greater if God had sent a clandestine angel to play the part. A prettier or more tender face in the love scenes is difficult to imagine. And in the final scene, as in classical theatre where a protagonist attempts to explain the tragic situation through experiencing a range of emotions without overlapping them, Maria wavers from anger to tenderness to resignation, to weeping, to a wondering and pleading countenance that inspires, for the moment at least, a recognition from both warring gangs a common humanity in tragedy. If this scene doesn't tug a heartstring, check your pulse daddyo.
Rating:
Summary: Romeo & Juliet meets the West Side. Warning Spoilers
Review: I love "West Side Story," it is an all time great. The choreography is incredible, the story is very absorbing, but Natalie Wood's accent left much to be desired...Other than that, the acting is incredible. Watching this movie makes you wish you could dance like them. It didn't matter how dorky or racist the characters were, when they burst into a dance number they were awesome. This is a very similar spin off of William Shakespeare's "Romeo & Juliet." They were both written as plays. Set in the 1950's instead of the 16th century (or sometime around that era.)
The use of old English, characteristic of "Romeo & Juliet," is updated with music of the fifties in "West Side Story." In "R&J" there were two rival households called the "Montagues" and the "Capulets". In "WSS" there were two rival gangs called the "Jets" and the "Sharks." The Jets are determined to wipe out the Puerto Rican population from their block. This film (or play) was written when a lot of racism was going around. That is probably how that particular plot line was thought of. Now in "WSS" (very similar in "R&J") there is a dance at the gym where the "Jets" collide with the "Sharks." This is where Tony (Jets) meets Maria,who off of the boat from Puerto Rico. She is the sister of the Bernardo head of the "Sharks." Her brother wants her to marry a man named Chino just like Juliet was to marry Count Paris. Tony and Maria fall in love instantly just like Romeo and Juliet. If it were not for (I think) Riff begging Tony to go to the dance, they probably would have never met. They are doomed for tragedy. Tony showing his love for Maria tries to stop a gang fist-fight turned weapon fight after Tony tries to offer a hand of friendship. In the mix of trying to stop it, Bernardo stabs and kills Riff. Tony shocked by what happened, his killer instinct kicks in, he stabs and kills Bernardo. Now Romeo was in the same situation, on the run because of killing Tybalt which is Juliet's Cousin. Both characters (Maria and Juliet) want vengeance for their murdered blood, but come to the realization that true love will overcome something as meaningless as revenge. Although this movie is practically the same as "R&J" the ending is different. Tony hears Maria died. He doesn't care for life and wants to go out with a bang. He shouts out a cry "Maria!" hoping to get popped by one of the "Sharks." Two seconds before that, He sees Maria is "ALIVE?" He made a big mistake but doesn't realize it. He runs to her with glee...bang, he's dead. Maria cries, But doesn't kill herself. In "Romeo & Juliet" Juliet plays dead, Romeo is horrified and realizes he can't live in a world without love, so he kills himself. Juliet awakens to find her "True Love" dead as doorknob. She kills herself with the same dagger in which Romeo used on himself. Oh, such sweet irony. I love "West Side Story." and "R&J" I just love a good tragity. Another recomendation I would give would have to be "Othello." Made into a now-a-day movie called "O" with Julia Stiles.
Rating:
Summary: I'm not too young...
Review: Some may say young people will not like this movie. I say, it is the best I have ever seen. I may be a "modern teenager," but I can still watch this movie 10+ times and cry every time. The movie has such wonderful songs, acting, and yes, dancing. Do gangs really dance? No. Does this movie's choreography dazzle the viewer and create a dramatic atmosphere perfect in which to recreate one of the best love stories of all time? Yes. This movie has never lost its appeal to me. I watch this movie and still find hidden meanings. The movie takes up racism so gracefully, yet powerfully, you can't help but feel sympathy for those who come to this country expecting a beacon of freedom and hope, and are instead met with discrimination and prejudice. Kids my age should all watch this movie, as should everyone. If you look past the gangs dancing (which, by the way, can be one of the purest and most beautiful forms of human expression ever), you will see a classic film, one that should be seen by everyone with a social conscience. West Side Story is one of the best films ever made.
Rating: 
Summary: good dancing, good music, but some bad acting
Review: I do have to say that I love this movie for the most part. I always find myself getting incredibly attached to Riff (Russ Tamblyn) and despising Tony(Richard Beymer) based on their fantastic/horrid acting and singing. Tamblyn put forth a wonderful performance as the leader of the Jets and led fabulous songs such as "Officer Krupkie", "America" and "When You're a Jet". Meanwhile, Beymer displayed his lack of ability by making Tony appear as just a crazy boy, not a crazy boy in love. Natalie Wood (Maria) did an excellent job and at times made up for what her co-star was seriously lacking. However the woman who dubbed Wood's voice was not my favorite and I found myself unable to listen to some of the songs by fast-forwarding through "Somewhere". I was only able to sit through "I Feel Pretty" and "Tonight" because they had other cast members in them and are just great songs. The medley of "Tonight" continues to astound me and gives me goosebumps whenever it hits my ears. Other actors who did a great job were Rita Moreno and George Chakiris, Who played Anita and Bernardo. Despite some of the bad acting, it is an overall great movie with great dancing and good music. It's no "Into the Woods" (my favorite) but it's still good
Rating:
Summary: Look at the bigger picture...
Review: I have read some of the reviews in the 1-star section. I think those reviewers have missed the bigger picture. I am a music instructor and I show this film to my music appreciation classes as a prime example of the American musical theater for several reasons: 1. The music is very original in comparison to other musicals of the time period (which I also enjoy, I might add). Bernstein's score was daring and fresh.
2. The choreography is also unique. Yes, at times it is not realistic, but it is a MUSICAL! It fulfills a specific purpose of integrating movement with the music and creating energy.
3. The story line. I realize that gangs are not like that. Maybe they weren't in 1955 either, but there is a bigger story here of intolerance and bigotry, and it is simple enough to understand that kids get it! As far as it being too long, bad editing, etc., I guess that is a matter of opinion. The DVD version cleans up some of the editing problems from the video version. Personally, I think it is great. I also show my classes a stage version to compare it to. As to none of the stars singing, some actually did. Natalie Wood recorded nearly all of the songs, but was replaced at the end of shooting by Ms. Nixon's voice. Ms. Wood was not happy about that! She went on to sing her own part in the movie version of Gypsy. Overall, I suggest that those who don't like this movie are simply looking for something that isn't there and is not intended to be there. Take it for what it is and was...an innovation in the late '50s, and a social message for today.
Rating:
Summary: A Broadway Clasic!!
Review: "West Side Story" is a true broadway classic. It is based on Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", but it is set in downtown New York. The film is directed by Robert Wise and it features memorable songs such as: "Tonight", "Somewhere", and "America". The film also won an Oscar for 'Best Picture' in 1961.
Rating:
Summary: What is wrong with today's generation?
Review: It is extremely disappointing for me to read negative remarks on what is undoubtedly an absolutely classic musical. Movies like West Side Story and Sound of Music are simply beyond critique as they have touched the hearts of millions of people throughout the world and inspired countless composers. As for a remake, we truly would have quite a task finding directors to the equal of Robert Wise AND Jerome Robbins in today's age; not to mention the unenviable task of re-casting the unforegettable Rita Moreno as Anita. I absolutely agree with the gentleman who recommends such reality-based gems as "Jackass the Movie" to the viewer from Oregon; Bravo! What are we going to attack next, Lawrence of Arabia. Good Lord, get a life! Critique the technical merit of the DVD, not the content of an accepted classic.
Rating:
Summary: NOT REAL???
Review: Give me a break--this is cinema--not DOCUMENTARY. Those viewers who feel that the dancing made this seem unreal obviously have trouble with fiction. Hello . . .there is no YODA, either. This calls for suspension of belief. It is an artistic reinventing of the Shakespeare tale. Do the lovers fall in love too quick? Yes . . . would you rather the film take a realistic 3-6 months for an everday romance to blossom? I think it is sad that some folk lack the imagination to be able to understand literary devices. Please, dont go to the ballet--most people dont dress up as swans and swans don't dance anyway . . .
Rating:
Summary: Hollywood Classic
Review: The first two reviewers are either too young or too stupid to figure out this movie. One only need look at the present and see that the same problems and solutions exist when people react in the same way that the characters in the movie did. I believe the first two "critics" should stick to movies like "Jackass" and/or "Southpark"; or any movies with farting, puking, or burping. These types of movies seem to be best suited for such intellectual geniuses such as they.
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