MovieChat Forums > West Side Story (1961) Discussion > A Dissenter Here:

A Dissenter Here:

posted 3 years ago by mplo (2305)
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As a devout fan of the original 1961 film version of West Side Story, I saw the new trailer of the upcoming new film version of West Side Story by Steven Spielberg and I do not plan on seeing it when it hits the movie theatres this December, for the following reasons:

Given the intensely brilliant Leonard Bernstein Musical Score, the very story behind West Side Story, the great cinematography by the late Daniel Fapp, and the seamlessly and creatively combined on-location scenes with sound stage scenes, the cast of the 1961 film v version, and the fact that the original 1961 film version of West Side Story won 10 well-deserved and well-earned Academy Awards, including Best Picture, the new film version of West Side Story feels all wrong to me, and not at all like West Side Story any more.

The new film version of West Side Story feels totally unnatural, forced, and way too contemporary for my tastes. It seems way overblown, overdone, too bombastic, too intense, too out of control, and too heavy for me, plus everything seems to be happening in a non-stop manner. A musical is also supposed to have some lightness to it as well, and the new film version of West Side Story seems to not have that.

The Jets, the Sharks, and their girls in the new film version of West Side Story look far more like wealthy suburban prep school kids who are dressed to the nines for partying around town than two street gangs who are at war with each other, and the dancing seems far too hyped up.

Also, given Ansel Elgort's record of being sexually assaultive, especially to underage girls, and the fact that he posted a nude picture of himself in the shower to some cause (which escapes me at the moment) he was involved in, Ansel Elgort sounds like a dangerous, disgusting and gross human being.

There are some people calling for Elgort's replacement, but that's impossible, given that the filming was done almost 2 years ago. Elgort doesn't have that great a voice, nor does he have the looks of an ex-gangster, either.

Having said all of the above, I prefer the original 1961 film version of West Side Story over the new film version.

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[–] Keelai (31878) 3 years ago

The original is one of my favorites, but my one criticism of the film was that the Puerto Rican actors and culture felt off. Some of the music and dancing appear Mexican and many of the actors accents and appearance weren't authentic.

Apparently, Spielberg had a similar complaint and wanted to fix it.

Rwasons to see it: Spielberg is a great director. Rita Moreno is in it. I'm curious to see the remake.

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[–] mplo (2305) 3 years ago

To each their own, but when I saw the trailer, the whole thing really felt totally off to me, and not at all like West Side Story. The fact that Ansel Elgort, who plays the lead of Tony in Spielberg's upcoming film version of West Side Story, has a rather disgustingly gross history, which has stiffened my resolve to vote my pocketbook and NOT go to see it when it hits the movie theatres on December 19th, 2021. I admittedly have a gut reaction against remakes of older classic films, generally, especially something such as West Side Story.

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[–] Keelai (31878) 3 years ago

I dislike remakes 99.5% of the time, also. This will be a very rare exception because I respect Spielberg as a director and I'm curious to see the changes that he and Rita Moreno made for the Puerto Rican characters. Generally, remaking classics is a bad idea. I'm pretty sure the original will remain my favorite.

re: Elgort. I don't see a history. One woman making an accusation which he denies.

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[–] mplo (2305) 3 years ago

I stand by everything I've said here, Keelai, and I will not go to see Spielberg's reboot/remake of the film version of West Side Story when it comes out in mid-December of this year.

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[–] Keelai (31878) 3 years ago

Of course, each to their own. Hopefully, things will be back to normal and everyone will be able to enjoy a crowded movie theater without worry.

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[–] mplo (2305) 3 years ago

Right now, many if not most movie theatres are open, but they're limiting the number of people who can come in to watch movies, with social distancing, requiring people to wear masks, and increasing the ventilation within movie theatres from 50%-100% above the norm, in a lot of them. So there's hope.

There's going to be a 60th year Anniversary screening of the old, original 1961 film version of West Side Story in select movie theatres throughout the United States, on Sunday, November 28th, and on Wednesday, December 1st. There'll be 3:00 p. m. and 7i:00 p. m. showings on both of those days. Fathomevents.com and Turner Classic movies are sponsoring the 60th year anniversary screening of WSS as part of their annual screening series of older classic movies. One can purchase tickets at fathom events.com or even Fandango. Hope I've been of some help here.

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[–] Roguemail (1564) 3 years ago

Boo how...they had the temerity to make a new version of one of your favorite movies. And you can apparently make a judgement about the quality of the movie from a teaser trailer.

Here's a fact for you...millions of people will watch the new version. Very few will go to the cinema to watch the original.

Fans of the original will have the movie already in some format or other, and can ignore the remake and watch the original any time they want.

Why is it so difficult for you to do the same?

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[–] mplo (2305) 3 years ago

Why is it so difficult for you to mind your own business? I prefer the old, original 1961 film version of West Side Story, and I fully intend to go to both evening screenings at the Regal Cinemas here in Boston, when the 60th Anniversary screening of the old original 1961 film version comes in late November and Early December, plus I've already bought tickets for myself, and friends of mine.

Here's a possible fact for YOU, Roguemail: There's also a possibility that Spielberg's reboot/remake of the film version of WSS will arouse curiosity about the original 1961 film version, and maybe more people will be interested in it. That's another possibility.

I don't like remakes of older classic films, generally. I saw the trailer of Spielberg's West Side Story film version, I'm not impressed, the lead guy, Ansel Elgort, who's playing Tony, has displayed rather dangerous, disgusting and gross behavior, and, I will not go to see Spielberg's film version of WSS when it hits the movie theatres this December.....PERIOD!

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[–] Roguemail (1564) 3 years ago

I don't have to mind my own business.

This is a discussion forum. You can post your views and opinions, but equally I and others can disagree with them.

And your post above is a repetition of everything you have already said.

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[–] mplo (2305) 3 years ago

You have a right to disagree with me, but unfortunately, however, your manner is often quite nasty and insulting, which is totally unnecessary, and why I don't like discussing things with you.

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[–] Roguemail (1564) 3 years ago

Show me any part of my reply that is 'nasty and insulting.'

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[–] mplo (2305) 3 years ago

Your opening sentence, i. e. "Boo Hoo-so they had the temerity to make a new version of West side story".

"Fans of the original will have the movie already in some format or other, can ignore the remake and watch the original anytime they want. Why is it so difficult for you to do the same?"

Frankly, your overall tone is disgusting and nasty, plus I don't like just watching the old original version on my computer, or DVD or blue-ray. Put THAT in your pipe and smoke it, buster.

I'll also add that you seem to have a genuinely mean, arrogant and nasty attitude towards anybody, including myself, who doesn't agree with you. This is not the first time you've displayed your nastiness towards me, either. The list is too long, and I don't want to have to go looking for it. If you can't or won't be civil--don't bother with me, and I won't bother you. Thanks.

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[–] Roguemail (1564) 3 years ago

You honestly think that sentence is nasty and insulting?

You really need to grow up.

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[–] mplo (2305) 3 years ago

Speak for yourself, Roguemail! You're the one who's nasty, arrogant and insulting, and YOU need to GTFU.

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[–] Roguemail (1564) 3 years ago

I am speaking for myself, aren't I?

Good lord, welcome to the world of the terminally offended...

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[–] mplo (2305) 3 years ago

You're one of the most, if not THE most immature, arrogant individual(s) that I've ever "met" on here, and online, generally. You're the one who's terminally offended. GTFU!!!

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[–] Roguemail (1564) 3 years ago

I'm more amused than offended. You really cant handle other people disagreeing with you at all, can you?

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[–] mplo (2305) 3 years ago

If other people disagree with me, it's one thing. I don't like dealing with YOU, because you're extremely nasty, insulting and meanspirited.

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[–] Roguemail (1564) 3 years ago

Then stop replying to me, ans I will do the same.
Have a nice day.

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[–] Roguemail (1564) 3 years ago

Then stop replying to me, ans I will do the same.
Have a nice day.

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[–] mplo (2305) 3 years ago

Why don't YOU lay off, Roguemail! GTFU!

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[–] mplo (2305) 3 years ago

How do YOU know that very few people will go to watch the old, original 1961 film version of West Side Story?!? It's still a very popular film. Frankly, unlike you, I sincerely doubt that Steven Spielberg's reboot/remake of the film version of West Side Story will even begin to top the old, original 1961 film version.

I have a gut reaction against remakes of older classic films, especially something such as West Side Story. You're suggesting that I just watch the original 1961 film version of West Side Story on my computer or a DVD player, or on TV, where they all too often show really scratched-up, beat up versions, and I'm telling you that that won't work for me.

I have no DVD player, and my computer doesn't support DVD's anyhow, plus I have absolutely NO intentions of biting the bullet and getting a DVD or Blu-Ray DVD player. Decent ones are awfully expensive anyway, and cheaper ones tend to break down. The fact that so much stuff is made overseas, and in third-world countries that have neither the materials or the technical know-how to produce good, decent and sound merchandise is even more disgusting.

Here's a fact for YOU, Roguemail: I don't like you, and I don't want to discuss things with you because you're far too arrogant, insulting and nasty for your own good! Put THAT in your pipe and smoke it, buddy!

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[–] janelsenor (2042) 3 years ago

I'll give it a chance, but the rumors I've heard about it aren't making me too hopeful.

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[–] mplo (2305) 3 years ago

Are you talking about the old, original 1961 film version of West Side Story, or about Spielberg's upcoming reboot/remake of the film version? Just wondering.

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[–] janelsenor (2042) 3 years ago

The reboot

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[–] mplo (2305) 3 years ago

Hi, janelsenor. It's to each their own.

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[–] chilidoggg (13053) 3 years ago

I'll go see the re-release of the original. Hopefully it's a sing-a-long.

I don't think there's any way anyone could do a remake. Spielberg should have tried a different vision of Romeo and Juliet instead.

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[–] mplo (2305) 3 years ago

Better still, Spielberg should've created his own film that had either the same sort of theme as West Side Story, or at least had a theme that was relatively similar to WSS.

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[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

You are a real fool if you're refusing to to see a movie because one of its stars got #MeToo'd by an unstable girl. Aww--Ansel Elgort did a semi-nude shot for charity for COVID. What does that have to do with whether or not he can pull off Tony? You must scroll through Twitter everyday desperate to find the latest celebrity to "cancel". And what's this about Spielberg "modernizing" West Side Story? The trailer's tenement set looks strikingly similar to the set of the original and I imagine Broadway's version too. And a banner tells us this is 1953, so we won't be seeing any cellphones or other modern gadgetry. You stay at home and watch the 1961 version. Some of us are curious what Spielberg might bring to it. It might be awful, but I'm willing to give Spielberg the chance.

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[–] mplo (2305) 2 years ago

To each their own, Matatron1970, but you have absolutely no right to call me or anybody else on here a fool, or whatever, just for having a different outlook. Nobody says that the movie should be cancelled, but I'm able to judge whether or not I'll like a movie when I see a trailer and/or previews of it. I did not like what I saw, and I'm not taking back what I think of Ansel Elgort, and I will vote my pocketbook and not go to see Spielberg's film version of West Side Story....period!

I'll also add that the official trailer to Spielberg's upcoming film version of West Side Story doesn't look anything what.so.ever like the original 1961 film version of West Side Story. Totally different colors were used, the Jets, the Sharks and their girls, as well as Spielberg's Schrank and Krupke, look far more like wealthy suburban prep school kids and teachers than 2 street gangs who are at war with each other, and so do the Schrank and Krupke of Spielberg, who look like suburban cops, rather than tough, rough inner city cops.

I'll also add that the backdrop scenes in Spielberg's film version of West Side Story look far more like the tonier, wealthier parts of the city, rather than the impoverished, rough-and rundown sections of the city.

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