By Genesis Chavez
Director Steven Spielberg brings back to life a remake of a 1961 classic, West Side Story, a romance musical of two forbidden lovers. West Side Story was first originally released in 1961 with directors Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise and with the starring two main characters, Natalie Wood as Maria and Richard Beymer as Tony.
Spielberg who directs the 2021 version of West Side Story admits creating this brought him back childhood memories of when he first watched it but what gave him back those beloved memories was the Music it had to offer to its audiences.
The 2021 version of West Side Story brings to life the music, culture, and fashion of the 1961 version but with its Modernized touch for the younger audiences who are to watch this film. West Side Story also brings back its famous songs such as “Tonight” and “America” , both highly famous.
West Side Story returns with a whole new cast, Rachel Ziegler who stars as Maria, Ansel Elgort as Tony, David Alvarez as Bernardo, Ariana DeBose as Anita, and West Side story brings back one actress who previously starred in the 1961 version of West Side Story Rita Moreno who will now return to the screen with a new role.
The younger and newly moved to New York sister of Bernardo her older brother who is portrayed by David Alvarez leader of a Puerto Rican gang the Sharks falls in love with Tony portrayed by Ansel Elgort who turns out to be the best friend of the American Greaser gang the Jets leader Riff portrayed by Mike Faist. Two lovers from two different gang rivals with people they love and care about on both sides struggle each day.
The story starts with Maria, Bernardo’s younger sister, moving in with him and his girlfriend Anita at their apartment in New York. While Maria is happy at starting a new life in New York she isn’t very excited about who she has been asked to Marry as she does not love this man back. Maria then later attends a dance with her Bernardo, Anita, and her date and that there she meets an American boy who she’s never seen before whose name is Tony
While Maria and Tony fall in love they realize they are from two different gang rivals. Maria is the younger sister of her brother Bernardo who is the leader of a Puerto Rican gang called the Sharks. Tony is the best friend of Riff who is the leader of a different gang of American Greasers called the Jets. Two very clear forbidden lovers struggle as they must deal with the rivalry of someone both care about very much.
West Side Story is a film with a lot of dance, music, romance, gang rivalry, and forbidden love. To anyone who enjoys a film with all that West Side Story is the film to watch as it’s to be released on December 10th of 2021.
Tags: arts and entertainment, movie review, musical, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, romance, west side story