West Side Story (2021)

West Side Story is a love letter to classic filmmaking. The marriage of Spielberg's direction with a vintage musical is a match made in heaven because his unique elevation of motion and energy perfectly serves the extravagant dance numbers. The imagery is dense with movement and meaning, but never overcrowded. Also, the production design is detailed and gives an authentic sense of grandeur. And, of course, the music is a driving force because, among other things, it contributes heavily to the time period. Overall, West Side Story is a cinematic burst that will captivate viewers with its technical craft.

On the flipside, however, West Side Story is emotionally flat. The writing deserves credit for its original music and important themes, but the core love story is, unfortunately, underdeveloped. Surprisingly, it is this centerpiece of the film that is its weakest link. Tony and Maria just aren't quite fleshed out enough as protagonists. Meanwhile, their romance is unbelievably accelerated, jumping from "introduction" to "love" to "risking it all" in just a few scenes together. Ultimately, the filmmaking and performances of West Side Story make this forgivable, but this fundamental limitation holds the film back from being unquestionably great.

Writing: 7/10

Direction: 9/10

Cinematography: 9/10

Acting: 8/10

Editing: 8/10

Sound: 7/10

Score/Soundtrack: 9/10

Production Design: 9/10

Casting: 8/10

Effects: 7/10

Overall Score: 8.1/10