West Side Story
 | Average Customer Rating: Recommend This brilliant (The New Republic) film sets the ageless story of Romeo and Juliet against a backdrop of gang warfare in 1950s New York. Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins and scripted by Ernest Lehman, the film combines Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's unforgettable score ( Maria, America, 'somewhere, 'tonight ) with Robbins own exuberant choreography to achieve an exhilarating work of art (Saturday Review). A love affair is fated for tragedy… Product details and pricing info |
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283 Customer Reviews Posted
- Wonderful classic
- Great classic with memorable songs and a poignant message that still applies to today. I cried in this movie; it was really touching. However watch out for Natalie Wood's 'accent'--she gets it for the most part but some parts it's just painful to the ear.
- 2007-03-06, 0 of 0 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Good for fans!
- Fans of the musical West Side Story should enjoy this box set complete with the entire script of the film and special features including a look back at the making of West Side Story. The commentary is interesting and brings insight to the directors' intentions as well as an appreciation of the hard work of everyone involved with this film.
- 2007-02-12, 0 of 0 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- WEST SIDE STORY FOREVER!!!!!!
- OHMYGOD!!!!!!! I have never seen anything like it before in my life!! West Side Story is perfectly brilliant in every way. The acting is wonderful, the songs are catchy, the camera angles are marvelous! The beginning titles where the music is playing and the color is changing is magnificent, especially when they shoot the west side of New York from above.
The story in itself is of course Romeo & Juliet with an urban, musical twist (plus Maria lives). Tony (Richard Beymer), former leader of the gang the Jets, tells his best friend Riff (Russ Tamblyn) that he has had a funny feeling that "Something's Coming" but he's not so sure what. Then we meet Maria (played to perfection by the beautiful Natalie Wood), the puerto rican sister of Bernardo the leader of the rival gang the Sharks, and her friend and Bernardo's girlfriend Anita (Rita Moreno). Both Tony and Maria go to a dance and (like Romeo & Juliet) meet and instantly fall in love. The only problem is that they are from seperate sides of the street (if you know what I mean) and their love is basically forbidden. But, being the rebellious teenagers that they are, they continue meeting privately, which leads to tradgedy. I will not give away the ending but let me tell you that if you are watching this movie for the first time, be sure to bring a whole box of tissues with you because you will need them!
West Side Story has been around for nearly 46 years now but people like me (even though I'm only twelve) who love Romantic/Tradgedy movies still continue to rent it and watch it for it's moving love story, vivacious song and dance numbers, and wonderful acting. West Side Story won 10 academy awards including Best Picture 1961, Best Supporting Actress (Rita Moreno), and Best Supporting Actor (George Chakiris). If you are in the mood for a great love story then I strongly advise you to see West Side Story. I did and if I hadn't I wouldn't have anything interesting to do all day and I would not have a new obsession. This movie is spectacular and superior in every aspect and you should get off the computer and watch it NOW!
2,980,567,180 stars and 2 thumbs way up for West Side Story!!!! - 2007-02-11, 4 of 4 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- An artistic triumph of the first magnitude...
- Shakespeare's classic 'Romeo and Juliet,' is transported by Robert Wise, beyond the conventional movie musical, to modern-day New York City...
Shakespeare's Montagues and Capulets become two rival teen-age street gangs: the 'American' Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks... The two young idealistic lovers enhance the attractiveness of two nice kids, caught in racial and ethnic barriers... They are victims of the intolerance, misunderstanding, and mistrust that seem to be ever-present in human society... The film (nominated for an incredible 11 Academy Awards) took home an incredible 10 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (George Chakaris), Best Supporting Actress (Rita Moreno), and Best Direction (Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins).
The opening of West Side Story is very innovative... As the overture plays, an abstract design on the screen changes color and becomes a breathtaking aerial view of the island of Manhattan... The camera finally swings down to the West side of New York, where the Jets are snapping their fingers as they walk the streets... Their hated Puerto Rican rivals, the Sharks appear, charged with aggressive energy... Both gangs compete for the control of the poor and filth neighborhood...
Jerome Robbins's powerful choreography captures the explosive tension boiling in the big city slums... The streets (with their flick knives and razors) come alive with athletic young dancers... The tender lyrics and poignant music complement and balance the tough nature of the choreography... The songs advance the plot, and illustrate the action... They range from jazzy and feverish to lyrical to comical, and they are all richly evocative of the film's moods and characters...
In "Maria," Tony gives voice to his feelings about the girl he has come to love... In "I Feel Pretty," Maria describes her own reactions to the miracle of love...
Before their lives turn bleak, the two lovers express their joy in soaring music: Tony with his hopeful 'Something's Coming,' Maria with her entrancing 'I Feel Pretty,' accompanied by Anita and her teasing friends... Their love blossoms out on a poignant scene in "Tonight," and at a bridal shop ("One hand, One Heart") when both affirm their love for each other by celebrating a mock marriage ceremony...
'West Side Story' is a beautiful work of art with spectacular music and energetic dancing... It is surely the finest dance musical since 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.' The principal dance numbers are all terrific... The propulsive movement of Riff and the Jets as contrasted with the free movement of Bernardo and the Sharks...
Rita Moreno is spitfire as Anita... Her skillful dancing and Latin temperament are perfect for the character of Anita, a fiery lady who leads her girls in an exciting mambo dance... "Life is alright in America" is possibly the most triumphant sequence of the film... A welcome tone of mockery is introduced, and the 'mambo' atmosphere makes you want to jump out of your seat and dance...
'West Side Story' is a calculated milestone in screen musicals... It breaks new ground in its depiction of contemporary social issues in a musical... The motion picture explores with deep emotional resonance, a world of hate, violence and prejudice... It challenges all of us to struggle for understanding and justice...
History will remember Leonard Bernstein as the most important American musical force in the 20th Century... He is one of the greatest conductors that has ever lived... In 'West Side Story' his superb music communicates directly with the heart... - 2007-01-17, 3 of 4 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Saul Bass an Visual Consultant: An unsong heroe.
- Although it's logo was extensively used in the package, and the brazilian version includes a copy of the original poster designed by Saul Bass, the great american graphic designer of credits, titles and visual consultant was TOTALLY IGNORED in this edition. The beautiful starting (with use of changing musical themed "colors", the graphic rendition of a revealing Manhathan and title lettering) and the breathtaking ending credits, with the camera patiently panning through grafitti hand scratched and painted letterings on a sensitive film related enviroment really deserve a comment. There's some photos of the making-of even on the internet. (See also Bass own comments on his documentary "Bass on Titles" part of SHORTS 11 - Ectasy). However, MGM don't get ashamed of displaying a poor imitation of Saul's "graphic style" (sic) in the DVDs menu, beyond the weird "animated trailer" probably the first abuse commited by MGM of the gorgeous identity developed for the film by Saul Bass. But, what intriges me most, is the fact that his participation as visual consultant remains a mistery. Shame on you, MGM!
- 2007-01-10, 1 of 19 people found this review helpful, Rated:
