West Side Story – Do we really need a remake?

Short answer. Yes. 100%. Remakes are necessary.

I haven’t seen the original 60s version, and likely never will. I mean with all the brand new content, how the hell am I expected to go back and watch movies from the 60s…? What’s that? Oh, yeah, I am rewatching Lost for tenth time… But that’s not the same thing… It isn’t…

Fine. Maybe I should go back. It’s on the list. I’ll get to it, eventually…

Apart from the couple talking behind me, who thankfully shut up 30 minutes into the movie – but only because I asked them to – I absolutely loved West Side Story. I’ve never been much of a musical fan, but with La La Land and the recent Tick Tick Boom, I’m starting to see the appeal.

“We don’t need a remake, the original is perfectly good.” And while I agree with this statement that some movies should never be touched, and by “some” I mean one – Back to the Future – newer, younger audiences aren’t going to watch a film made in the 60s. Their attention spans are shot to shit with TikTok and YouTube, can you imagine them sitting in front of a really, really old film? It ain’t gonna happen. Remaking old films for today’s audiences, with modern filmmaking techniques will give new life to the story. Hell, maybe it’ll inspire them enough to want to watch the original.

Spielberg’s directorial credits in recent years haven’t been anything to write home about, but this was a joy to watch. The cinematography is beautiful, the choreography is mesmerising. I love that I feel like I’m watching a stage play. And the acting, the characters, it all feels like a lived on world.

If you have your doubts about this, don’t. Get out and see it. You won’t regret it!

It’s a 7/10 for me!