This past December, a classic musical returned to the silver screen—with all the spirit and sorrow of any West Side Story adaptation. Steven Spielburg took on the task of recreating this timeless tragedy, supported by a cast of Hollywood notables—Ansel Elgort and Rita Moreno—and newcomers—Rachel Zegler in her film debut as Maria. Backdropped by an Academy-Award winning score and Stephen Sondiem’s renowned lyrics, West Side Story serves both as a tribute to the original 1957 play and a modern reimagination. 

Personally, I enjoyed the film. Admittedly, when I first learned about the planned remake, I was skeptical—was another West Side Story really necessary? Wouldn’t it just be the same? However, after entering the movie theater, I found myself pleasantly surprised. 

Although the plot didn’t deviate much from the source material and previous adaptations, the 2021 version strived to differentiate itself through distinct production choices and a stellar cast. I thought the decision to include scenes of Spanish dialogue (sans subtitles) and limit “dance fighting” (which I thought was pretty silly in the 1961 film) to be refreshing and unique. 

And, for the most part, I believed the casting was on point. Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, and Mike Faist brought powerful vocals and performances to their respective Maria, Anita, Bernardo, and Riff. However, the chemistry between the two leads—Elgort’s Tony and Zegler’s Maria—fell somewhat flat: certainly disappointing considering their love is an important component of the story. Yet, despite this, the film managed to captivate my attention, and the lacking romance didn’t impede my overall experience. 

What stood out to me, though, was definitely the choreography. With a larger ensemble and filming location, the dancing scenes definitely reach new heights, especially “America”. The ambitious choreography brought new life to the movie, making it more immersive and awe-inspiring. Compounded with passionate singing, West Side Story, in this regard, really wowed me. 

Overall, would I recommend Spielburg’s West Side Story? To a certain extent, yes. For those who haven’t seen the 1961 version and/or are looking for something new in the 64-year-old play, the 2021 adaption is definitely worth it. However, considering the movie follows the similar, predictable storyline of any Romeo-and-Juliet-inspired work, a movie theater viewing might be a wasted investment.