In the end, as impressive as West Side Story is, it winds up all feeling rather pointless.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Sep 19, 2024

If you don’t know the name Rachel Zegler yet, you will soon. Her performance as María is magnificent, she has awe-inspiring vocals, and does an excellent job of capturing the character’s innocence

| Original Score: 5/5 | Jul 29, 2024

a must-watch for film fans.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 22, 2024

“West Side Story” is worth watching for Ariana DeBose’s performance as Anita. Our Queen’s story arc from hopeful, ambitious, vivacious migrant to mournful, vengeful survivor was the most powerful one in the story.

| Jun 9, 2024

From the audacious opening shot to the decision to stage "America" off of a rooftop; Spielberg, cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, and a fabulous adaptation from Tony Kushner enable West Side Story to make all the right choices for a 2021 update.

| Feb 24, 2024

Dazzling, & truly a throwback to old classic musicals/filmmaking. They don’t make movies like this anymore

| Jul 26, 2023

West Side Story is about creating a home, however, you choose to define the word. Unfortunately, the miscasting of Tony brings down what could have been a near-perfect movie.

| Jul 25, 2023

Steven Spielberg elevates a classic romance by refining its wider socio-cultural ideas, creating an impassioned musical bursting with color and festivity

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 21, 2023

I have no shame in admitting that I was one of the doubters before this was released. I mean, it’s only a reworking of one of the most influential movie musicals ever. Luckily, that Spielberg guy knows what he’s doing.

| May 1, 2023

It's as faithful as can be with its own punch to pack: West Side Story stands out on its own while paying homage to its inspiration.

| Feb 23, 2023

Spielberg defies the odds and equalizes, if not surpasses, the magic of the original film.

| Feb 21, 2023

"There’s no way to get around the fact that Spielberg’s West Side Story is a modern masterpiece. In a year chock full of live-action musicals, this one rises above the rest."

| Nov 19, 2022

From a physical and emotional standpoint, the end result is not quite a rumble in the Bronx, more of a fumble in the asphalt jungle. As pure cinematic spectacle however, this version of West Side Story is still pretty finger-clicking good.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 12, 2022

Ariana DeBose’s stunning knockout turn gives West Side Story its juice. In a perfect world, she should be a lock for an Oscar nomination.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 21, 2022

Some have questioned the need for another “West Side Story”. I don’t know whether we “needed” it. But I’m thrilled that Steven Spielberg gave us one.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Aug 16, 2022

With this swooning, socially aware story of star-crossed lovers, Spielberg pirouettes back from his atrocious last flick by embracing something he clearly adores, and being unafraid to give it rhythmic swirls and thematic twirls.

| Jul 8, 2022

Spielberg appropriates an old musical... He recalibrates the language, redirects the dialogue, and then, the same themes can rise up rejuvenated. [Full review in Spanish]

| Jun 28, 2022

Spielberg has aimed to create a magnificent spectacle in hopes of a movie theater revival. Although, I regretfully doubt it. [Full review in Spanish]

| Jun 9, 2022

West Side Story immediately dissipates any concern about the master director’s ability to deliver the blend of theatrical and cinematic artistry it deserves.

| May 19, 2022

A prime example of how to go about remaking a classic. It's a shame that the filmmaking itself never reaches the ecstatic heights of the original.

| Original Score: 7/10 | May 10, 2022