Insanely Pretentious & Boring. - West Side Story (2021) Discussion

[–] mplo (2356) 3 years ago

As a devout fan of the old, original 1961 film version of West Side Story, I saw parts of Spielberg's reboot/remake of the film not long ago on a TV program that emphasized the comparisons between the original 1961 film version of WSS, and Spielberg's reboot/remake of WSS, have seen 3 different trailers of it and extra photographs of the new WSS film, and listened to the soundtrack to the new West Side Story on youtube just out of curiosity. To be absolutely honest, I did not like what I saw, and am taking a hard pass on Spielberg's reboot/remake of West Side Story.

I'm still in love with the old, original 1961 film version, and did not think it was boring, at all.

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[–] luvthepros (802) 3 years ago

Whether in the original 1961 adaptation of the stage play or the Spielberg adaptation of the Broadway stage play, the music and lyrics are not boring but captivating. The story they tell is an old one but those songs tell it so well. Then you add the exciting dancing, I have no idea how anyone could say this movie is "boring". That also goes for both adaptations of the original stage play.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion and your opinion is just as valid as mine, so there is that.

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[–] mplo (2356) 3 years ago

Thanks, luvthepros. i feel that i, too, am entitled to my own opinions, so why did you write me a long letter that essentially said that my choices and opinions were less legitimate than yours? That, to me, is extremely hypocritical.

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[–] luvthepros (802) 3 years ago

Have you seen the entire movie yet?

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[–] mplo (2356) 3 years ago

Nope--and I have absolutely no intention of doing so, either.

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[–] mplo (2356) 3 years ago

I rented Spielberg's reboot/remake of the film version of West Side Story to watch on my computer, and honestly tried to watch it, but I could not sit through the whole thing, because, to me, it was every bit as dreadful as I thought it would be; the skirmishes and the rumble between the Jets and Sharks were too violent, the cultural and ethnic biases too strong, without any moments of fairness to each other, and, as some others had put it, unlike in the original 1961 film version, where Tony and Riff at least retained their friendship, the friendship between Tony and Riff were barely noticed in the new film version of West Side Story. Also, the dancing really was too hyped up, and the singing voices of both Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler were nothing to write home about: Rachel Zegler's singing voice was too nasal, too far back, and not projected forward enough, and Ansel Elgort's singing voice was just...eh..nothing to write home about.

To sum up how I feel, I thought that the new film version was way overdone, too heavy, and too hyped up. The soundtrack/musical score to Spielberg's West Side Story film version was very metallic-sounding, plus it was flat in many places. As another poster on here put it, the gangs looked too much alike, and I think that both Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer had far better natural looks than Rachel Zegler and Ansel Elgort. Since I'm a devout fan of the old, original 1961 film version of West Side Story, and due to the fact that dubbing was quite common during that general period, I'm more than willing to overlook the dubbing in the 1961 film version of West Side Story. The remake was as I predicted--I knew I wouldn't like it, and I didn't. Thank you for accepting my differences of opinion.

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[–] Information-Police (4890) 3 years ago

They are just negativity trolls

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[–] modica (4169) 3 years ago

How is it "pretentious"? I haven't seen it, but I always question people who use a word that is used incorrectly. Explain if you can.

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[–] mplo (2356) 3 years ago

Hi, modica. I think that what the poster in question means by pretentious is the fact that, although I haven't seen the whole reboot/remake of the film version of West Side Story, it seems extremely overdone and too flashy, in some ways, but that's just my opinion.

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[–] Ed (525) 3 years ago

I just watched West Side Story. AMAZING!!! One of the greatest musicals of the past 60 years. The cinematography, the colors, the singing, and dancing, the gorgeous leading lady! How can anyone not like this film? What modern musical can compare?

Oh. Wait. I’m talking about the 1961 version. Which I’ve seen many times! Who would have the hubris to try to remake such perfection?

Oh. Wait…

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[–] mplo (2356) 3 years ago

Hi, Ed. Thank you for replying to my comment. If, indeed, you are talking about the old, original 1961 film version of West Side Story, I am a devout fan of that one. The old, original 1961 film vern outrsion of West Side Story is my all time favorite movie, hands down. Not only have I made it a point to watch it every time it's played in a movie theatre that's within reasona I've ble driving distance from where I live (i. e. in my general area, and even to the opposite end of the Bay State, and have even made special road trips to neighboring states just to see the original 1961 film version of West Side Story on a large screen, in a real movie theatre, but I've also attended every Anniversary screening of the old, original West Side Story film version, from the 40th to the 60th Anniversary screenings of this great golden oldie but keeper of a classic movie-musical.

Imho, remakes of great older classic films just don't turn out very well.

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[–] Ed (525) 3 years ago

West Side Story was one of the first 5 Dvds I ever bought, so yes, you could say I like the film. :)

Most remakes of classic are bad ideas. Rear Window? Magnificent Ambersons? Most Tarzans?

Very very few are good. His Girl Friday, Ben-Hur, Maltese Falcon, The Thing, Magnificent Seven come to mind.

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[–] mplo (2356) 3 years ago

Good morning, Ed. Thank you again for thinking of me and giving me a great reply. I did see "Rear Window" (i. e. the original film), but thought it was somewhat overrated. I saw Ben-Hur once, on TV some years ago, but have never seen "His Girl Friday", "The Thing", or "Magnificent Seven". I did see "Maltese Falcon" once, however. It was okay.

I don't have a DVD player, but I have the DVD version of the original 1961 film version of "West Side Story", which I used to play on previous desk top computers that I had, which had DVD players built into them. Unfortunately, however, the newer computers, including desktop and laptops alike, don't have built in computer players. I prefer to see great older movies, including and especially the original 1961 film version of "West Side Story", on a great big, wide screen, in a real movie theatre with the lights down low, and sharing the whole experience with other people, whether I know them or not.

I saw the 60th Anniversary screening late last fall, in a real movie theatre, on a great big, wide screen, in a movie theatre in Boston, MA, which is just a stone's throw from where I reside. both with friends, and solo. They had 2 days of screening the original 1961 film version of West Side Story in select movie theatres throughout the United States, courtesy of fathom events.com and Turner Classic Movies.

The print was absolutely stellar, with no scratches or other flaws anywhere on it, and the soundtrack was absolutely pristine, as well. We all had a wonderful time seeing the original 1961 film version of West Side Story on a great big, wide screen, in a real movie theatre, and were lucky to have such a wonderful experience.

Btw, were "His Girl Friday", "Ben-Hur", and "Maltese Falcon" re-made? just wondering.

Anyway, Ed--Thank you again for writing to me. Have a great day--and a great weekend.

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[–] Ed (525) 3 years ago

His Girl Friday is a remake of the Front Page, which was also remade in the 70’s. Ben-Hur had a couple of silent versions I think plus the dreadful remake a few years back.

Maltese Falcon itself with Bogart is a remake of an earlier film.

BTW, when I mentioned Magnificent Seven, I refer to Seven Samurai and the Yul bryner version. Not the junk Denzel version.

Very few musicals are remade. It’s just a BAD idea, unless the story is very strong. Look at all the Star is Born versions, at least 4 yet all decent because the story is solid and the songs are all different.

A remake of WSS is like the ill-advised Psycho remake that tried to reproduce each frame. What’s the point? A total vanity project ….

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[–] mplo (2356) 3 years ago

Hi, Ed.

Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I've admittedly never seen the other films that you've mentioned, but it seems like we're on the same page regarding the remake of the original 1961 film version of West Side Story, and remakes of musicals, and older classic films, generally. I've always had a gut reaction against remakes of good older classic films, generally, especially something such as the old, original 1961 film version of West Side Story. A lot of the older movies are better, generally.

I never thought that a remake of West Side Story by anybody, including Spielberg, would be any good. I think that we've both been proved right.

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[–] luvthepros (802) 3 years ago

I've been reading comments on the many videos about Spielberg's West Side Story, including interviews of the cast and crew, on YouTube. There are thousands of collective comments and I've read more than two thousand comments so far. I approach these reviews as i would reading a novel. I'm obsessed. LOL.

Anyway, the overwhelming response to Spielberg's WSS is so extremely positive. People absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this film. There are so few negative comments, your statement, "I never thought that a remake of West Side Story by anybody, including Spielberg, would be any good. I think that we've both been proved right." does not hold true to the folks who are commenting on YouTube. You would be utterly surprised how many people have raved about Ansel Elgort's performance as Tony.

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[–] mplo (2356) 3 years ago

So what? I've always been resistant to remakes of good, older classic films, especially something such as West Side Story, and I still am.

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[–] Information-Police (4890) 3 years ago

That's why I was reluctant to watch it. It adore the 1961 film. But I think '61 had lots of flaws. And I also adored the production that was put in by my High School.

So I saw it lost night and thought it was great!

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[–] R_Kane (15828) 3 years ago

Many people think “high quality” means “pretentious,” meaning it is above their reach and understanding, and they resent it.

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[–] modica (4169) 3 years ago

Thank you. That is the best explanation of what these people do when they use the word "pretentious" when referring to a movie or TV show they don't like because it is artistic or high quality. Anything they don't understand or just don't jibe with is considered "pretentious".

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[–] Garyandfilm (535) 3 years ago

Saw it yesterday, and it is indeed greatly inferior to the original. Digitally shot, it looks flat and dull and none of the cast members can hold a candle to the original stars.

No, it isn't terrible, it's just not even remotely moving.

Don't think it will win Best Picture, nor does it deserve to
.

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[–] modica (4169) 3 years ago

Yes, I figured that would be the case. I loved the original and I just don't care to see the remake.

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[–] mplo (2356) 3 years ago

I hear you, modica and Garyandfilm! Without seeing the entire reboot/remake of the film version of West Side Story (though I saw parts of it on a TV program not that long ago that emphasized the comparisons between the remake/reboot and the original 1961 film version of West Side Story (although I listened to the soundtrack of the reboot/remake out of curiosity, on youtube), I, too figured that it would be boring and pretensious. I found it heavy, overdone, bombastic, forced, unnatural, and not at all like West Side Story.

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[–] modica (4169) 3 years ago

They didn't need to make this remake. The original is one of the best movies ever.

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[–] mplo (2356) 3 years ago

That's agreed, modica. Thank you so much for your response to my post. The old, original 1961 film version of West Side Story is the real deal---there's absolutely no question about it. The old, original 1961 film version of West Side Story is my all time favorite movie, hands down!

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[–] WhitePrivilege (96) 3 years ago

I hated it! Turned it off after 60 min.

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[–] alexjohans0n (2094) 2 years ago

I do agree that Spielberg is a very weak director! Also West Side Story was terrible.

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[–] mplo (2356) a year ago

Steven Spielberg's very best movies are ones that are based on historical events.

Schindlers List, Saving Private Ryan, Munich, The Post were examples of that. E. T. Extraterrestrial was fun.

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