West Side Story - 2021 Remake
By LindaOH
@LindaOHio (222285)
United States
March 14, 2022 7:55am CST
Saturday night we watched the 2021 remake of the 1961 classic, "West Side Story". The 1961 original was the highest-grossing film of that year and was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won 10, including Best Picture. "West Side Story" was originally a Broadway show that first appeared in 1957.
The story line of the remake is that the Sharks (a Puerto Rican gang) and the Jets (a white gang) are both competing for the territory of San Juan Hill on Manhattan's Upper West Side. This area is soon to be demolished for the opening of the Lincoln Center.
Music was composed by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. I would recommend that you see the original 1961 movie; but if it's not available, see the 2021 version if only to listen to the wonderful music.
The inspiration for the movies came from "Romeo and Juliet". Natalie Wood played Maria; and Richard Beymer played Tony in the original movie. Ansel Elgert plays Tony and Rachel Zegler plays Maria in the 2021 version. The world may disagree; but I found Elgert to be a bit of a dweeb. Rita Moreno played Anita in the original and Valentina in the remake. Stephen Spielberg directed the remake.
We were a little bit put out with the remake. The dialogue is not G-rated and has been changed in many instances. A lot of the choreography is still good; but the plot is not totally the same. The movie is a long one -- over 2 hours. It cost $100 million to make and brought in $73.8 million at the box office.
My recommendation? See the original if you can. If not, see the remake; but I feel you will be more impressed with the 1961 film.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Following is a trailer for the 2021 film:
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8 people like this
8 responses
@marguicha (230334)
• Chile
22 Mar 22
I saw and like West side story years ago. But I don´t think that I´d like the remake so I won´t try to watch it.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (230334)
• Chile
23 Mar 22
@LindaOHio Maybe the critics weren´t born back then
But if you say that, I´ll try to get it when it comes here. Now, I would have to rent it as it is not on Netflix or Amazon.
But if you say that, I´ll try to get it when it comes here. Now, I would have to rent it as it is not on Netflix or Amazon.1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222285)
• United States
23 Mar 22
It received 7 Academy Award nominations; and some critics say it's better than the original. I disagree.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222285)
• United States
24 Mar 22
@marguicha Sunday is the Academy Awards. I will be watching to see if West Side Story wins any.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86583)
• United States
14 Mar 22
What on earth goes through these bigwigs’ minds when they decide to try a remake of a classic? Whatever it is, it shouldn’t be there!
They should make a robot that’s programmed to hear the word “remake” or “re-do” or “refresh” in any movie studio production meeting. When it hears it, it should walk into the meeting, grab whoever said it, shake them violently and say, “NO!”
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222285)
• United States
15 Mar 22
@FourWalls So ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, the movie was watchable; but it didn't compare to the 1961 version.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222285)
• United States
14 Mar 22
How can you remake a movie that won 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture???
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25797)
• United States
26 Mar 22
I saw the original years ago and my parents had the soundtrack album. I knew the Jets song and several others by heart at one time.
I tried to watch the new version and had to stop. It was a huge disappointment to me and fell so far below my expectations as to be tragic.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222285)
• United States
27 Mar 22
I thought so too. How can you remake a movie that received so many Academy Awards?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Mar 22
@LindaOHio Exactly. Why do they want to risk the film being less good?
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222285)
• United States
15 Mar 22
Especially one that won 10 Academy Awards!
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (79311)
• Germany
20 Mar 22
@LindaOHio I see. Well, it is a matter of taste.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222285)
• United States
19 Mar 22
Some critics have said the new version is better. I don't agree.
1 person likes this
@sharonelton (30756)
• Lichfield, England
14 Mar 22
I've never seen West Side Story but I've heard it's very good.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222285)
• United States
14 Mar 22
It's definitely worth a watch and a listen.
1 person likes this
@sharonelton (30756)
• Lichfield, England
15 Mar 22
@LindaOHio Thank you very much. I'll look into that. 
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97908)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Mar 22
Thank you for the information, I have never seen West Side Story ever I was just not really interested but perhaps I will see if it is on YouTube and finally take a look at the original,
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222285)
• United States
15 Mar 22
Don't get me wrong...the remake was watchable...just not like the original.
