West Side Story (1961) Movie Reviews

Daniel Corleone 03/15/2012 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

Rating of
2.5/4 

Choreography, songs and wardrobe was entertaining. Lack of character development and certain scenes hampered it. It was baffling how one loves the person who murders your brother, physical abuse of a Puertorican girl and when agreed fisticuffs turned into a knife fight. There are eternal and popular songs from the picture though it was laughable to see how certain dark situations the figures had the audacity to still sing about it. Themes of love, troubled youth and being cool in a gang were exemplified. West Side Story may have its colorful moments, but for this reviewer the film as a whole was for adequate viewing.

Snoogans 11/30/2011 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

Rating of
3.5/4 

Reuses the basic 'Romeo & Juliet' story to good effect. The songs are well-written and performed. Just an overall entertaining musical.

mitchellyoung 05/18/2011 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

Rating of
4/4 

A fantastic and beautifully visual early view of race wars, set as an adaptation of Romeo & Juliet. The sets and costumes create memorable tableaus. The plot may be a little weepy at times, but the brilliant music is what carries this film into classic territory.

donkeyknight 05/02/2011 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

Rating of
1.5/4 

Don't bother poopin' around with this. "America" and "Gee, Officer Krupke" explode off the screen with the energy and tension of a generation on the edge, but the rest of the movie is bugging hokey.

shutterspeed777 04/24/2009 (1 of 1 found this helpful)

Rating of
3.5/4 

Obviously a modern "adaptation" of the Romeo and Juliet plot. A family brawl between the MONTAGUES and the CAPULETS. In this case, between the Americans (headed by RICHARD BEYMER) and the Latinos (represented by NATALIE WOOD). It's a gang war. It's a racial clash. It's a love story. Touches the heart deeply. Will always be one of my favorite romantic musicals of all time.

Ichabod Crane 03/27/2009 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

Rating of
3/4 

The music is catchy enough, and sung well enough. The story works better than other musicals and is effective. The look is very colorful and attractive therefore it succeeds as a musical needs to. There are no real problems except Natalie woods clearly being lip synced and the idea of the dancing gangs may cause some unintentional laughter.

PsychoKing1227 10/06/2008 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

Rating of
3/4 

Natalie Wood is awful, but besides that, "West Side Story" is a classic. Stephen Sondheim lends fantastic lyrics to a musical update of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." A classic in every definition of the word, this choreographic masterpiece is one that every family should watch together and enjoy.

Chris Kavan 04/12/2007 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

Rating of
3.5/4 

I'm not a huge musical fan - but this is one that works. From the opening shot - through big, boisterous dance numbers - West Side Story works on almost all levels. You do have to be in the right mood to get through it, though.

Alex 02/06/2007 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

Rating of
3.5/4 

The music makes this song (along with the dancing). It is all very well done and planned. Natalie wood does a perfect job to fulfill the role of a young rival gang sister. The only thing that brings this movie down is the length. I still don't think the movie has ended.