Never doubt Señor Spielbergo’s union American equivalent. It only took until he was 74, butSteven Spielberghas finally made the musical he’s wanted to make for decades. Spielberg’s remake ofWest Side Storyis just a couple of short weeks away from dancing its way to theaters, which means it has finally screened for critics, giving us the first reactions to the anticipated musical.
Based on the 1961Robert WiseandJerome Robbinsfilm of the same name, itself adapted from Robbins' Broadway production of the play byArthur Laurents,Leonard Bernstein, andStephen Sondheimwhich was inspired byRomeo and Juliet.The film starsRachel ZeglerandAnsel Elgortas lovers on opposite sides of a fiery conflict on the streets of New York City between two street gangs: the Jets, white working-class teens, and the Sharks, Puerto Rican migrants.
Spielberg directsWest Side Storyfrom a script byTony Kushnerwho also wroteLincolnfor Spielberg.The film is shot by his regular cinematographerJanusz Kamiński, and also starsAriana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Corey Stoll, Brian d’Arcy James, andRita Moreno.Spielberg also produces alongsideKristie Macosko Kriegerand Kevin McCollum.West Side Storysings its way to theaters on December 10.
RELATED:Watch: Steven Spielberg Explains Why ‘West Side Story’ Was His Dream Project
Now that we’re only two weeks away from the release of theWest Side Storyremake, it’s time to find out what critics and journalists thought of Spielberg’s latest. Was this the right story to make as his first foray into musical film? How is the choreography? Who is the standout performer? Is Kamiński about to take home yet another Oscar? Or did Spielberg make anotherThe BFG? Check out some of the early reactions forWest Side Storybelow.
First up, here’s what Collider’s own Perri Nemiroff, Christina Radish, Matt Goldberg, Carly Lane, and Vinnie Mancuso had to say:
Critics agree that this is a shoe-tapping good time at the movies, and praise that rascal Spielberg for his eye for composition and choreography.
