First Reactions to 'West Side Story' Remake Are Glowing with Raves for Rachel Zegler - Read the Tweets!
The first screenings of the West Side Story remake just happened and the lucky people who have seen the movie are sharing their thoughts!
Steven Spielberg‘s remake of the classic movie musical is receiving glowing reviews and there are raves for newcomer Rachel Zegler, as well as for Ariana DeBose and Ansel Elgort.
Many critics are already saying that the film is better than the original, which is an incredible feat seeing as the 1961 movie won 10 Oscars, including Best Picture.
Click inside to read what critics are saying…
A general consensus among the reactions is that West Side Story is a film you should see in theaters instead of waiting to watch it at home. Many critics are saying the sound is incredible and the orchestrations of the music are perfect.
Fandango‘s Erik Davis said, “Steven Spielberg’s #WestSideStory is a TRIUMPH! It’s beautiful & brilliantly photographed – a real love letter to NYC w/ a tremendous ensemble cast who truly redefine this classic story for a new generation. Shout outs to @rachelzegler & @ArianaDeBose who CRUSH it in this film.”
BuzzFeed editor Nora Dominick said, “my #WestSideStory review is simply: I can’t wait to see Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose’s careers explode after this. They knock it out of the park as Maria and Anita in this beautiful crafted movie.”
Read what many more people are saying below!
Spielberg does not disappoint with #WestSideStory. OK maybe not as much dance-fighting this time, but sets a mood from the opening moments and delivers all the way through that gut-punching climax. “America” is the easy highlight but man Rachel Zegler is magnetic in every scene.
— Kevin Polowy (@djkevlar) November 30, 2021
Honestly, I was floored by some sequences, and it’s films like this that remind you why Spielberg is one of our greatest filmmakers ever. I just watched the ‘61 film and Spielberg’s #WestSideStory is bigger, more powerful & poignant. It’s alive w/ color & language & a ton of love pic.twitter.com/Br8p0PkTNR
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) November 30, 2021
#WestSideStory is INCREDIBLE. Spielberg delivers an award-worthy visual spectacle that expands on the original as a timely technical MASTERPIECE. Every department fires on all cylinders, & Rachel Zegler steals the show with THE star-making debut performance of the year. LOVED IT! pic.twitter.com/Qrzx5LiPBK
— Diego Andaluz (@thediegoandaluz) November 30, 2021
Steven Spielberg’s #WestSideStory is stunning. His first musical is without a doubt superior to the 1961 film. The cinematography, music and dancing are amazing, and most importantly, it treats Puerto Ricans & Latinx community with the respect they deserve. Spielberg delivers. pic.twitter.com/3tb7eSvbzM
— Fico (@FicoCangiano) November 30, 2021
#WestSideStory is Steven Spielberg’s attempt at his own La La Land wonder. The film acts as an eraser for all the wrongdoing of the one that came before it. Some things felt genuine while others felt tied with a bow. pic.twitter.com/lYWrFDooC8
— film poser™️ Josie 🇵🇷 (@TheJosieMarie) November 30, 2021
The new #WestSideStory is absolutely fantastic, clearly a ton of love and care went into it, and while the entire cast is phenomenal, Rita Moreno is the heart of the whole thing and the orchestrations are beautiful, a film ABSOLUTELY worth seeing in theaters.
— Jeremy Wein (@thismyshow) November 29, 2021
I am very much not a musical guy, so I’m perhaps not the best judge of #WestSideStory.
I do, however, know what a movie star looks and @rachelzegler is absolutely that. She is *ridiculous*.
More so than her massive voice, her ability to act with her eyes was stunning. pic.twitter.com/MfqchfKpka
— Eric Italiano (@ericitaIiano) November 30, 2021
#WestSideStory is a blast, even better than the 1961 film. Steven Spielberg has done something really special with his adaptation of the beloved musical. As for me, Rachel Zegler has earned herself a huge fan, delivering a fantastic film debut as Maria. pic.twitter.com/CIPjCVMyqp
— Camden (@camden28_) November 30, 2021
Steven Spielberg’s #WestSideStory does an outstanding job paying homage to the timeless classic from its authentic set designs to its incredible dance sequences and performances. This is one of the most beautifully shot films of the year.
@TheMoviePodcast @WestSideMovie pic.twitter.com/JqD9xqE82Y— Anthony Gagliardi (@AJJetset) November 30, 2021
my #WestSideStory review is simply: I can’t wait to see Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose’s careers explode after this. They knock it out of the park as Maria and Anita in this beautiful crafted movie pic.twitter.com/FZtlG8vABS
— Nora Dominick (@noradominick) November 30, 2021
Surprise surprise! #WestSideStory is really good, featuring some breathtaking choreography elevated by the cinematography and production design. Everyone in the cast is great, but the real standouts are Mike Faist and David Alvarez as Riff and Bernardo. Yeah, THIS is a musical! pic.twitter.com/ckTbUwkfe7
— Kevin L. Lee (@Klee_FilmReview) November 30, 2021
OMG #WestSideStory is a MASTERPIECE! I was anti a remake because the original is one of my favs ever! But this was better than the original by a long shot! Production design and shots gave me goosebumps. And the kid who plays Riff is Oscar worthy! I want to see it again & again! pic.twitter.com/jFzxad0NT7
— That Girl At The Party 💙 (@xoxocorthenley) November 30, 2021
Sending thoughts and prayers to all the Oscar Pundits out there who will be spending the next several hours updating their predictions now that they've seen Steven Spielberg's absolute masterpiece #WestSideStory. pic.twitter.com/iCcg4T1X7Z
— Marshall Weinbaum (@MovieMarshall) November 30, 2021
#WestSideStory was incredible wow Steven Spielberg perfectly balanced the magic of the original while building off of it and presenting new ideas. @rachelzegler was obviously the standout she brought Maria to life in a way we’ve never seen before pic.twitter.com/SYcq35CwUO
— morroe (@atomiracle) November 30, 2021
Spielberg's #WestSideStory is a triumph. It's less stylized, but more grounded, more brutal and more interested in the consequences of the carnage. Kushner's script imbues its characters with depth, and paints a striking picture of how gentrification fuels tribalism.
— Thomas Floyd (@ThomasFloyd) November 30, 2021