(CNN)The caller "West Side Story" doesn't wholly reply the astir evident question, which is wherefore fundamentally remake a 60-year-old classic. Director Steven Spielberg nevertheless justifies the effort arsenic a dazzling showcase for this generation's talent, successful a movie whose ties to lyricist Stephen Sondheim, who died past month, adds to its affectional resonance.
Adapted by playwright Tony Kushner, the movie -- described arsenic a "reimagining" of the archetypal -- possesses a grittier edge, straight connecting gentrification of New York's slums successful the 1950s to the 2 gangs battling implicit their shrinking turf arsenic if their lives beryllium connected it. The casting and subtle touches, similar not subtitling the Spanish dialogue, besides person considerably much taste authenticity than a play wherever non-Latinx actors would beryllium formed successful pivotal roles.
As an added bonus, the filmmakers person not lone included Rita Moreno -- an Oscar victor for the 1961 movie -- arsenic the drug-store owner, but cleverly expanded that relation successful a mode that showcases her. If the volition was to supply a reminder that the 89-year-old Moreno, a victor of each grant imaginable, is simply a nationalist treasure, ngo accomplished.
Beyond that, the bones of "West Side Story," itself inspired by Romeo and Juliet, stay precise overmuch intact, with the premix of jaunty tunes and lushly romanticist ballads courtesy of Sondheim and composer Leonard Bernstein, successful its tragic communicative of emotion astatine archetypal sight.
Ansel Elgort and newcomer Rachel Zegler play the star-crossed Tony and Maria, whose instant infatuation comes successful the midst of radical strife betwixt 2 gangs: the Sharks, headed by her member Bernardo (David Alvarez), and the Jets, tally by Tony's longtime pal Riff (Mike Faist), who's mystified by Tony's tendency to permission that brutal beingness behind.
While the creation numbers are muscularly choreographed, Spielberg has tamped down immoderate of the magic associated with manager Robert Wise's version, a determination evident erstwhile Tony and Maria archetypal conscionable astatine the dance. Back then, the satellite stopped astir them; here, they discreetly retreat to a quiescent spot down the gym bleachers.
It's nary flimsy to the antheral formed members to accidental the women outshine them. Zegler (who'll travel this debut with different iconic relation arsenic Snow White) is positively luminous arsenic Maria, and Ariana DeBose ably fills Moreno's shoes arsenic Anita, who possesses religion successful pursuing an American imagination that Bernardo and his rivals person fixed up anticipation of achieving.
Of course, "West Side Story" has hardly been dormant successful the intervening decades, with signifier revivals and much high-school productions than anyone could count. Yet Spielberg and Kushner person toed a delicate enactment successful crafting a movie that exhibits fidelity to the archetypal portion tinkering with it successful ways that invitation comparisons to the variations -- immoderate wholly logical, others a spot much arbitrary.
The movie marks the archetypal clip Spielberg has tackled a philharmonic successful his storied and eclectic career, which makes the effort an juncture connected that level. That helium has done truthful successful a twelvemonth populated by respective others, including "In the Heights" and "Tick, Tick ... Boom!," reflects however cycles displacement and the appetite for contented has grown.
Ultimately, "West Side Story" passes the "why" trial and volition apt permission fans debating which mentation they prefer. Even those of the sentiment determination wasn't a burning request for a redo -- reimagined oregon different -- should reason there's a spot for this 1 too.
"West Side Story" premieres successful US theaters connected Dec. 10. It's rated PG-13.
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