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AIBU?

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To suggest that Spielberg’s West Side Story is even better than the original?

51 replies

BeachHutBackUp · 12/12/2021 18:25

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s just SO GOOD.

I’ve been singing my socks off and swishing my skirt a la Anita since seeing it last night.

POW!!

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Wigeon · 12/12/2021 18:27

I saw it last night too! Also loved it, but partly because of all the references to the original. It was excellent, but in a different but equal way to the original one.

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BeachHutBackUp · 12/12/2021 18:31

I thought it was incredibly respectful to the original, and that the Rita Moreno character was a master stroke.

Also no blacking up 🤔

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Kanaloa · 12/12/2021 18:32

I still haven’t seen this although I really want to! So excited to see how they go with Rita Morena playing an updated version of ‘doc.’ I saw her talking about it and ended up a bit emotional!

Is it really good? Hopefully I’ll be able to see it next week but what’s the verdict on taking a child? DD wants to go as well so was thinking of going with her and my sister, but not sure if it will be upsetting?

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 12/12/2021 18:33

Oh really?!!! That sounds promising, a mate said it was great, but that's 4 fab reviews now, I'll need to go and see it!

Kanaloa · 12/12/2021 18:33

Obviously I know the storyline by the way - I think she would be ok with the deaths etc if done as in the original as she’s seen Les Mis and was okay, but I’m not sure if it would be too much/graphic!

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 12/12/2021 18:34

*so that's 4 fab reviews now rather!

museumum · 12/12/2021 18:34

Much better than the original film. Almost on a par with a very good west end or broadway performance of it.

OhDear2200 · 12/12/2021 18:35

Literally cannot wait to see it!!!

museumum · 12/12/2021 18:36

The new character Valentina is absolute genius and all the Puerto Rican characters are so so much more well-rounded.

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BeachHutBackUp · 12/12/2021 18:42

@Kanaloa

I still haven’t seen this although I really want to! So excited to see how they go with Rita Morena playing an updated version of ‘doc.’ I saw her talking about it and ended up a bit emotional!

Is it really good? Hopefully I’ll be able to see it next week but what’s the verdict on taking a child? DD wants to go as well so was thinking of going with her and my sister, but not sure if it will be upsetting?

Depends on DD’s age and sensitivity really. The stabbings are pretty grim, as is the scene where Anita is nearly raped by the Jets. But I don’t think a child under about 10 would clock exactly what was happening in the latter.
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BeachHutBackUp · 12/12/2021 18:45

@museumum

The new character Valentina is absolute genius and all the Puerto Rican characters are so so much more well-rounded.
Yes! Aren’t they just?

Rachel Zegler is a complete newcomer, and got the part from an open call casting. She’s incredible.

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Kanaloa · 12/12/2021 18:49

Ah, no she’s 10. That’s the scene I was worried about to be honest. I know it’s not a death scene but in the original I remember it being quite upsetting/intense. She has seen les mis as I said but it was in the theatre and although you’re aware that Eponine does etc, they don’t really ‘die’ they just stop singing.

Will have to try and sneak out to see without her 😂 I’m glad to see such positive reviews, I’m always slightly afraid of remake movies!

saveforthat · 12/12/2021 18:50

I saw it today, it's brilliant. Not better than the original but better for our times. I sobbed at the end because all those issues from 60 plus years ago are still here today.

buckeejit · 12/12/2021 18:55

It was incredible!

@Kanaloa I'd forgotten the worst bits of it & took my 8 year old dd to see it! Confused

She did say it was a bit violent but she loved all the dancing.

AFS1 · 12/12/2021 18:58

13 year old sobbed at the end. But so she should…I did the first time I watched the original!
The violence is more graphic than the first one, but not in an over the top way.
I thought it was absolutely fantastic!

Bagelsandbrie · 12/12/2021 19:01

I desperately want to see this. My Gran (who died in 2003) adored the original and we used to watch it together. She would have loved to see a remake.

Kanaloa · 12/12/2021 19:06

@buckeejit

It was incredible!

@Kanaloa I'd forgotten the worst bits of it & took my 8 year old dd to see it! Confused

She did say it was a bit violent but she loved all the dancing.

Ah, really? Might reconsider. My dd is the most delicate of the delicate sensitive souls though. MIL insists this is her artistic temperament shining through 😂

The costumes look absolutely amazing as well, especially the dresses.

ODFOgrinch · 12/12/2021 19:12

How did they cover the rape scene?
It's the only thing holding me back from seeing it. I know it has to be covered more overtly but I'm not sure if I can watch it. Even through dance it as so powerful.

JayniSummers · 12/12/2021 19:59

The scene with the original Anita (Rita Moreno) in the rape scene with the character Anita was one of the most emotional pieces of cinema I've seen . It's my favourite ever musical and I thought it was magical, I thought the last scene with Maria over Tony's body was more moving in the original but other than that , it's just amazing

JayniSummers · 12/12/2021 20:01

@ODFOgrinch

How did they cover the rape scene? It's the only thing holding me back from seeing it. I know it has to be covered more overtly but I'm not sure if I can watch it. Even through dance it as so powerful.
It's as graphic as the original, a lot of it is implying the attack rather than showing it all , as I've said before Rita Moreno being in the scene is nothing short of genius
buckeejit · 12/12/2021 21:44

Yes it was really well shot-a lot of grappling & the other women trying to help was great. I covered dd's eyes a couple of times & she didn't really get that but she was ok with not getting some bits as she didn't understand the Spanish.

PugInTheHouse · 12/12/2021 22:45

It is an amazing version. I love that it is very true to the original, Maria is just stunning, in fact all the leads are. I could not stop the tears in the scene with Anita and Maria 'A Boy like That', the acting is very very strong in it.

The whole thing was stunning. I like the fact that the actors they used were actually Puerto Rican and also the fact that the while thing was more 'real' than the original.

There was a lot that was better in this one than the original but there is something very special about the original, I agree that Tony's death, whilst acted very well in the new version, was probably better in the original. DS(13) came with me, he thought it was very good and looked up YouTube videos of the old one to compare. He much preferred the new version, but I understand that as he is so young.

I will definitely watch the new one again but it's made me want to watch the old one again also.

GonzoFlyingProducts · 12/12/2021 23:44

Ummm - can we have a bit of credit for the guys who wrote all the songs (Bernstein and Sondheim) there is no show (or movie) without them !

Kanaloa · 13/12/2021 02:38

@GonzoFlyingProducts

Ummm - can we have a bit of credit for the guys who wrote all the songs (Bernstein and Sondheim) there is no show (or movie) without them !
I mean it’s not an essay, you don’t have to credit original authors.

I’m not over on the Hawkeye thread telling people who are saying ‘wasn’t Kate Bishop good’ that they need to be giving Stan Lee some credit please as without him there’s no Disney plus Hawkeye.

Kanaloa · 13/12/2021 02:40

Not that I’m criticising. Obviously they’ve written a great show, but in a causal conversation complimenting your enjoyment of the movie there’s no need to get snippy that people aren’t adequately crediting the original writers.

Otherwise you could say ‘bit of credit for Shakespeare please since the whole thing’s based on Romeo and Juliet!’