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West Side Story--I can't see it being re-made and having it work out very well:

posted 6 years ago by mplo (2356)
36 replies | jump to latest

West Side Story, a beautiful musical, both on screen and on stage, has a long history of taking the public by storm, both as a wonderful Broadway stage hit (although I admittedly found the more up-to-date Broadway stage revival of West Side Story somewhat mediocre in many ways.), and as a beautifully spectacular, well-created and well-done movie, to boot.

While I see the merits of re-creating West Side Story in many different ways for stage productions of this musical, I feel that, regarding a re-make of the film version of West Side Story (and, with rare exceptions), the remaking of films, generally, that Hollywood has clearly run out of creative ideas, which is why so many films are being re-made and/or are having sequel after sequel added to them.

Having said the above, I am totally against the idea of a re-make of the film version of West Side Story for the following reasons:

A) The beauty of the film version of West Side Story is not only the fact that it was kept as a larger-than-lifesized piece of theatre, but was proof that films (at least back then) could be, and were made without too much explicit sex, a minimum amount of graphic-ness. With the exception of afew racial and ethnic epitats during the pre-Rumble war council between the Jets and the Sharks, the film West Side Story is without the constant "blue" language that're all too prevalent in many, if not most films that're coming out nowadays. As a person who's no stranger to "blue" language, however, I say that "blue" language would be totally inappropriate for something such as West Side Story, either on stage or on screen.

B) A re-make of the film West Side Story would more than likely include a musical score that's much more hip and rap-like, which would be totally inappropriate for such a musical. It would more than likely include a cast that's very corporate-oriented (as most acting/singing that passes for talent these days is), thus taking away the specialness of this classic.

C) The romance scenes with Bernardo and Anita, as well as with Tony and Maria, would be way steamier and much more explicitly sexual.

D) The playground fighting scenes between the Jets and Sharks would be even more violent and graphic. Much more "blue" language would be expressed, and the prejudices between the Jets and Sharks, as well as the cops' attitudes towards both gangs would be much more overtly hostile.

E) Given the fact that, in many parts of the United States, police departments have become so militarized, and police actions and behaviors have been so totally out of control, especially in poorer communities and non-white communities, efforts on the part of the cops to break up the playground fighting scenes between the Jets and Sharks would be far more violent, and deadly.

F) The Rumble scene would've been much, much bloodier and more graphic, because the Jets and Sharks would be using Glock 21's and AK-47's, or other automatic assault rifles, or handguns, rather than fisticuffs and switchblade knives, and more Jets and Sharks gang members would be seriously injured or killed.

H) The deaths of Riff, Tony and Bernardo would've been much, much bloodier, as well.

I) The hints of reconciliation would've been totally taken out of this great film, as well, which would defeat the whole purpose of a musical/movie such as West Side Story, giving it a whole different message.

J) A re-make of the film West Side Story would undoubtedly be a piece of junk that would go over like a lead balloon; inotherwords, not very well.

Having said all of the above, as with most classics, and especially movie musicals, and West Side Story, in particular, there's absolutely nothing that beats the original! This is especially true of West Side Story because this venerable old movie/musical is a classic that's in a special class by itself, if one gets the drift. All told, I believe that the film version of West Side Story has a special magic all of its own, it is what it is, and should absolutely be left alone!

Mr. Spielberg, if you're out there listening in, please do not mess with a classic! The fact that the film West Side Story won ten well-earned Academy Awards, including Best Picture back in the fall of 1961, when it was first released in the movie theatres, and the fact that it’s still very popular today, are highly indicative of its success as a classic film. I realize that, like tons of other people (myself included, of course. (West Side Story is my all time favorite movie, hands down!), you've got great affection for this classic film, but if your affection for the film West Side Story is that great, why not just leave it alone and gravitate to something else? That, imho, would be the best way for you to show your affection for this great classic.

All of the above having been said, a re-make of the 1961 film version of West Side Story would cut the heart and soul out of it.

[–] Coleburg83 (684) 6 years ago

Ansel Elgort has been cast as Tony. Enough said.

[–] mplo (2356) 6 years ago

So what? I saw a video of Ansel Elgort, heard his voice, and don't believe that he has an ounce of charm or believability in him.

[–] Coleburg83 (684) 6 years ago

Exactly. I was agreeing with you. Elgort as Tony says what a joke it will be.

[–] mplo (2356) 6 years ago

Thanks, Coleburg83. I, too think that the upcoming re-make of the 1961 film version of "West Side Story" will be a big joke. As I also pointed out, I plan on not going to see the re-make of "West Side Story" when it comes to the movie theatres, either.

[–] mplo (2356) 6 years ago

I see the re-make of the film West Side Story as being a real flop and a disaster in the box office already. I don't care who re-makes this film.

[–] kenburke (2372) 6 years ago

I agree 100%.

[–] mplo (2356) 6 years ago

Thanks, kenburke. Now I've read that Rita Moreno (yup, the Rita Moreno) will be playing Valentina, who'll be the extension of the owner of Doc's Candy Store. This is shaping up to be really, really weird.

[–] StrongRex (1319) 5 years ago

So wait - Rita Moreno is replacing Doc?

[–] modica (4169) 6 years ago

I can't see this being very good. They will probably mess with the score and dancing and make it all hip hop like and totally ruin the movie. This movie should not be remade. Worst idea ever.

[–] mplo (2356) 6 years ago

Thank you for a good point, modica. It's agreed that a re-make of the venerable old 1961 film version of West Side Story would be all hip-hop and/or rap. Moreover, I've seen some of the people that Spielberg has selected for his re-make of the film West Side Story, and none of them seem or look that good..period.

That saying, I couldn't agree with you more about a re-make of the film West Side Story being the worst idea ever. A re-make of the 1961 film version of West Side Story, by anybody, including Spielberg, would absolutely cut the heart and soul out of it and destroy all that's really great about it!

[–] modica (4169) 6 years ago

The thing about the original was the sort of surreal aspect of the movie. It didn't seem realistic, but it did when you thought of it as being more of a fantasy. Almost everything about the original was hyper-accelerated to a point that what the cast and crew accomplished was unimaginable. I am sure Spielberg is going to rely more of real settings and a contemporary score that may be more like Hamilton than Bernstein. This is my #3 film of all time and I am really upset that Spielberg is doing this.

[–] mplo (2356) 6 years ago

I hear you on this, modica. Your points make great, good sense. I feel the same way you do, because the 1961 film version of West Side Story is my all time favorite movie, hands down! (i. e. number 1 for me!), which is one big reason that I, too, am bothered by the idea of a re-make of this great, golden oldie-but-keeper of a classic movie-musical. I fail to see why so many people are all agog at the idea of a re-make of this beautiful classic film.

Steven Spielberg has done a number of good films, but I sincerely wish that he'd stop doing the re-make of the film West Side Story and let it stand alone. West Side Story is too much in a special class by itself to justify a re-make of it by anybody, including Spielberg. If he and Tony Kushner have as much affection for this beautiful movie-musical as they claim to have, they'd leave it alone and go onto something else. That being said, I plan on boycotting Spielberg's re-make of the film West Side Story when it comes to the movie theatres--inotherwords, I'll refuse to go and see it.

Today's Hollywood, in general, has run out of creative ideas, which is why there are so many re-makes and sequals taking place. It's quite sad, really.

Anyway, take care. Talk to you again soon.

[–] StrongRex (1319) 5 years ago

I don't buy it when people say Hollywood has run out of ideas. There are tons of stories out there they haven't done yet that they could pick from books, classic or modern, plays, operas, short stories, etc. They're more interested in cashing in on the success of hit blockbuster movies from the past. That's why there's sequels and remakes - they're choosing not to do anything creative or anything they hadn't done before.

They could even choose from non-celebrity, regular people who write scripts because they love movies and have ideas. Heck, even some people on YouTube produce better content than a lot of film studios - they could negotiate and sign contracts with them!

And I'm not putting much stock in Steven Spielberg - not all the movies he's made have been masterpieces, or even very good. In fact, some of them have been downright horrible.

[–] Otter (24464) 6 years ago

That's the thing, you can th make this material too realistic, or the music and dance seem woefully out of place. Yet the only reason to watch it is the glorious music and dance.

I love the music and choreography with a deep and abiding love, and am of the opinion that the story is only there as an excuse for the music and dancing. But thats not how dramatic movie musicals read, the nature of th he medium puts the story front and center. To make this work as a film musical there had to be a perfect balance
between the musical fantasy and the drama, which was sent hit in 1960. But I doubt modern Hollywood can do better.

[–] mplo (2356) 6 years ago

You've also made some good points, Otter. "West Side Story", as a great, golden oldie-but-keeper classic movie musical, is in a special class by itself, because it is a dramatically powerful and dynamic story that is enhanced and positively accentuated by beautifully choreographed dancing by the late Jerome Robbins, the intensely brilliant Leonard Bernstein musical score, the richly-designed and colorful costumes and strong cast, the beautiful use of passionate colors, particularly many reds, the beautifully done cinematography and special affects by the late Daniel Fapp, and the seamlessly combined on-location filming scenery and soundstage scenery by the late Boris Leven, which made the overall scenery look uncannily like a rough and run-down part of a large United States city--i. e. New York City's West Side.

I also see what you're saying about re-making a classical movie musical such as West Side Story too realistic, Otter. Part of the reason that West Side Story was also successful on film was due to the fact that a certain amount of unrealistic ness was added to the realism and idealism of this movie-musical, as well.

I also agree that today's Hollywood could not do any better, and I don't care if it's Spielberg or anybody else who's re-making the film version of West Side Story.

[–] modica (4169) 6 years ago

I know that Bernstein would not be happy with this remake. It would break his heart to him to see this beautiful movie remade into a hip hop spectacle like Hamilton(which I did not like that much).

[–] mplo (2356) 6 years ago

You're correct, modica. I don't think that either Bernstein or Laurents would be happy with this re-make of the film West Side Story that's going to take place. I think that both Bernstein and Laurents would be heart-broken---and angry about this re-make. They're probably both turning over in their graves right now!!

[–] mplo (2356) 6 years ago

I've also seen pictures of the young 17 year old high school girl, Rachel Zegler, who Spielberg has recently chosen to play Maria. She looks like a corpse, plus she seems to not have any control over her singing voice at all. Also, a kid that age being cast as Maria, or as any character in West Side Story can be problematic, since many of the notes in the songs from the West Side Story musical score are extremely high, and the vocal cords aren't fully matured until at least the early to mid-20's

[–] modica (4169) 6 years ago

I saw her too singing on some news program. She was singing like she was auditioning for American Idol. I wasn't impressed, but the hosts of the talk show were gushing about how great she sounded. Like I said before, this is going to be so bad. It is probably going to sound more like Hamilton than West Side Story; you know, all hip hoppy and rap-like. It could be awful.

[–] mplo (2356) 6 years ago

I see your points, modica, and although I've never seen Hamilton, or watched American Idol, I see Spielberg's re-make of the film West Side Story turning into a totally hyped-up feature-length, junky soap-opera.

I thought that Rachel Zegler sounded kind of shrill, as well.

[–] StrongRex (1319) 5 years ago

I think in some cases, children and teenagers can be phenomenal performers. Sometimes even better than adults. They just don't get a lot of respect in the theatre community. I haven't listened to this girl sing - I'll form my own opinion when I do, but in general I'm really not that invested in this new version at all.

[–] mplo (2356) 5 years ago

Thanks, StrongRex.

I did listen to Rachel Zegler singing a rendition of "Shallow" from the film "A Star is born". She seemed to be straining up on the higher notes, and when she played Maria in a Bergen Performing Arts stage production of West Side Story, her voice was extremely shrill, she had no control over it, and she seemed to go flat on the high notes, and to really over-emote.

Overall, I've also seen pics of the cast, and know the role that Rita Moreno is playing in it; the supposed widow of Doc the Candy Store owner, a role, which, imo, given Rita Moreno's looks and overall personality, seems totally inappropriate and wrong for her.

I'll also add that Spielberg's reboot of the film West Side Story will be filmed in New Jersey, in Paterson, and possibly Newark. I'm not interested in seeing this reboot of WSS, because I really don't like the way it's shaping up so far.

Spielberg's done some really good historical films, which, imho, he's far better at.

[–] StrongRex (1319) 5 years ago

I'll have to listen to her (also, I still need to see A Star Is Born - I recorded it to watch later and then I had to get rid of my cable).

I haven't been keeping up with updates on this remake, but based on what I've heard you say so far it doesn't sound very good. I agree, it's a really stupid idea to write a new character to replace Doc. Are they just trying to add another female character? Are they changing the time period? Or are they looking for an excuse to have Rita Moreno be in this movie? Because if they are, why not have her play Madam Lucia and make it a slightly bigger part? Actually, that would have been interesting - if you've read my post on the stage show vs. the movie, you can add that to my list of reasons why the movie is better than the stage show. We get to see more background into Maria's daily life if we see how she does her job and we see her boss.

And it would be really ironic to have Rita Moreno play her because Anita hated Madam Lucia.

My favorite movie of Spielberg's was Jaws.

[–] mplo (2356) 5 years ago

I've seen several stage productions of the original stage play of West Side Story that I've liked a great deal, and the more up to date Broadway stage production, which I viewed with a harder, more critical eye, because there were certain aspects of the original broadway stage production and the movie that were an integral part of the story behind West Side Story that were taken out of it. Moreover, in the revised broadway stage play of WSS, the scene where they simulated Tony and Maria copulating in Maria's bed was kind of out of line, due to the fact that there were many kids who looked 12 years old and under at the Sunday Matinee that I, my sister in law, and my niece attended. It was out of place. The Jet gang whistles, the finger-snapping and the message of reconciliation between the Jets and Sharks in the end after Tony's death, was taken out, as well.

I was not turned on by Ansel Elgort, who was been chosen to play Tony, either. He has neither the looks, the charm, personality, or believability to play Tony. I saw a couple of stills from Spielberg's upcoming reboot of West Side Story, and the cast in there looked like a bunch of preppy suburban kids rather than two street gangs who were at war with each other.

The Jets, the Sharks, their girls, Lt. Schrank, Ofcr. Krupke, and even Doc, looked way rougher and tougher than all of these characters in Spielberg's reboot of West Side Story.

I cannot understand why so many people are so agog, excited and optimistic about it. Just because Spielberg is at the helm, and just because he busted his hump for 15 years to secure the rights to the film West Side Story doesn't make it a good thing.

Don't get me wrong--I'm not against Spielberg per se, because he's done some films that're quite good. I'm against anybody re-making/rebooting such a great, golden oldie-but-keeper of a classic movie-musical as West Side Story. This remake is totally unnecessary, as far as I'm concerned.

[–] StrongRex (1319) 5 years ago

I'm going through the cast list on IMDb right now, and so far I am NOT impressed.

[–] mplo (2356) 5 years ago

I'm 100% with you on this one, StrongRex. I've also seen the list, and the pictures of the cast in the upcoming new version of the film West Side Story, and I'm not impressed, either.

[–] StrongRex (1319) 5 years ago

I might go see it just out of curiosity and so that I can tell people I have seen it and I have a better leg to stand on in debate.

[–] mplo (2356) 5 years ago

That's an interesting outlook, StrongRex! Wow.

[–] mplo (2356) 5 years ago

I hear you--and feel you, modica. I feel the same way that you do about the whole upcoming reboot/remake of the original 1961 film version of West Side Story. Having said that, I believe that the only thing that you, me, and other people who feel disillusioned about Spielberg's upcoming reboot/remake of the 1961 film version of West Side Story is to just vote with our pocketbooks--by boycotting the remake of WSS( meaning not going to see it) when it hits the movie theaters at around Christmastime of 2020.

[–] modica (4169) 5 years ago

The only way I would see it is to buy a ticket to another movie and watch it. I don't think I will do that, I am curious, but I pretty much know what it will be like and I just don't want to see a rap-hip hop version of one of the greatest movies ever.

[–] mplo (2356) 5 years ago

Again, I agree with you, modica. I, too, have a hunch that the upcoming reboot/remake of the original 1961 film version of West Side Story will be a hip-hop-rap version, which I don't want to see.

I have to admit, however, that I have a gut reaction against reboots/remakes of older films, generally, because they generally come out quite poorly, but I feel especially strongly about the upcoming reboot/remake of the film West Side Story, in that respect.

[–] snepts (11123) 6 years ago

TLDR, but I don't think i personally would enjoy a re-make of WSS.
That said, things change, and the good things culture has created are there for younger people to adapt. That's the natural order of things. Perhaps a visionary will grab ahold of it and make something relevant for today. Otherwise it will tumble into the dross of expensive experiments and failures.

[–] Quint (957) 6 years ago

Remember when Spielberg movies was something you couldnt wait for? Until the 90s I saw each and every Spielberg movie, cause they were so amazing. I also defended Color Purple back then, cause most people didnt understood that Spielberg movies could also be serious movies. And then ha started to fade away. His low points were clearly Catch Me If You Can (how firstly he did a lighthearted action comedy about his main character and then let him nearly rot in prision. Thats simply stupid), The Terminal (this was as stupid as possible) and then the desaster "War Of The Worlds" (not only did he copied recent movie styles from back then (Cloverfield with its focus on a few people while the world is attacked by a huge monster - which almost destroyed the whole "attack" genre, cause the attack just become a background element and the only important things are "feelings"), but he also missed a chance for doing a really huge epic. When Spielberg failed at that opportunity totally, he wasnt interesting for me anymore).

Its so sad to take a look at his movies now and not even seeing a glimpse of his earlier genius. So yes, West Side Story will fail in a huge way! But .... who cares? Has the original trilogy of Star Wars become less interesting after the "Last Jedi" desaster was relased? Are we thinking of Indiana Jones in a lesser way after "Kingdom of Crystal Skull"? So yes, this movie will be indeed a desaster. But that wont change the point of view on one of the greatest classics in movie history: West Side Story.

[–] mplo (2356) 6 years ago

I've seen a number of Steven Spielberg's films, even three of his 90's films that I thought were quite good. I wish that Steven Spielberg would leave the film "West Side Story" alone, but, like all of these movie moguls, Steven Spielberg will do what he wants to do. I plan to boycott Spielberg's re-make of the film "West Side Story"; inotherwords, not to go and see Spielberg's re-make of the film "West Side Story" when it hits the movie theatres at some point next year.

Some people will claim that Steven Spielberg's re-make of the film 'West Side Story" will help the original 1961 film version, but if today's younger people who haven't seen the original 1961 film version of West Side Story go to see Spielberg's re-boot of it think that Spielberg's re-boot of West Side Story is the cat's meow, it might result in the original being suppressed, or no longer available for showing in movie theatres, even the repertory revival independent theatres on occasion.

Quite frankly, I hope Steve Spielberg's re-make of the film "West Side Story" does flop in the box office!

I think you're also correct when you say that Spielberg's re-boot of the film West Side Story won't change the overall great viewpoint of the original 1961 film version of WSS.

[–] LAcdisneyprincess (97) 6 years ago

I am against this remake as well because they promised to represent Puertorrican as accurately than the 1961 version but instead they cast Americans in the leading roles of Maria and Anita which is another step backwards when there should have been progress! So to the producers, aren't native Puertorricans meeting the required qualities for these roles?? There were plenty of them from the Music Conservatory of PR who could have done these characters justice with their experience!

[–] mplo (2356) 6 years ago

You've made an interesting point, LAcdisneyprincess, but I think a good many Puerto Ricans have enough on their hands to worry about, after the devastation that Hurricane Maria caused the island and the people living on it. It was a super-horrific mess, as I'm aware of.