West Side Story - Reviews

Spielberg’s remake takes off when it dances to its own tune.

Heartfelt and heart-breaking, this feels like Spielberg has made an adaptation faithful to its roots but also, always, alive to the modern world.

...feels like a rare achievement to even attempt to scale the unscalable and still, after more than half a century, be able to make it sing.

The real love story here isn’t Tony and María, it’s Spielberg and the material.

Spielberg suppresses his worst tendencies in the uncharted territory of his first movie musical. His solid direction respectfully doesn’t oversentimentalize the material.

...a captivating experience.

Spielberg’s magnificent remake is his finest film in 20 years.

Zegler is a revelation in her first major role, but it's Ariana DeBose and Mike Faist as Anita and Riff that really steal the show, both of them brimming with natural charisma and surely putting themselves firmly in awards contention.

...Steven Spielberg’s version of West Side Story is a delightful experience. While certain scenes look exactly similar to several Hindi movies, I enjoyed watching what’s been shown.

Spielberg’s remake takes off when it dances to its own tune.

Spielberg's take on this legendary musical is gorgeously shot and brilliantly interpreted...

The filmmaker honors a sacred piece of musical theater by flexing all over it with some of the most exhilarating setpieces he’s ever shot...

...a reverently faithful production, putting on West Side Story with panache and a sensibility that teeters, impressively, between classical and modern.