West Side Story Early Buzz: Could It Be? Yes It Could. Something’s Coming, Something Good!
We’ve written this a lot over the duration of the pandemic, but regardless of how ubiquitous the sentence has become, it’s still true. The long-delayed [“Insert Movie Title Here”] is finally on the way! In this case, “Insert Movie Title Here” is Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story,” theveryhighly anticipated adaptation of the 1957 Broadway musical. The play was written by Arthur Laurents and Jerome Robbins with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by the truly iconicStephen Sondheim.
Spielberg hasspoken a great dealabout how important this production is to him, and why it’s such a massive opportunity to adapt a story so near and dear to his heart. Expectations are high for this adaptation. Frankly, my expectations peaked when the projectwas originally rumored. I’ve been a fan of the 1961 movie since I wasa little girl, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I’m not the only person who has a personal connection to it. On top of, you know, being one of the greatest Broadway musicals of all time. And just to up the ante a touch more, Sondheim had nothing but praise for Spielberg’s adaptation, praisingTony Kushner’s script.
So, what is the critical consensus thus far? Take a look.
You’ll Feel Like Running And Dancing For Joy
The New York City press screening started things off with Spielberg paying a warm tribute to the late Stephen Sondheim, who evidently made a point of being present throughout the entire production process of this adaptation. As the director said, Sondheim was present foreverysingle recording session, without fail. He would be “listening with his eyes closed, he swayed, he swooned, or he’d grimace and flinch,” Spielberg said with a laugh.
Here’s Steven Spielberg on Stephen Sondheim before the West Side Story premierepic.twitter.com/gG8H9rTDiH
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan)August 24, 2025
/Film’s very own Chris Evangelista was glowing about the movie while leaving the theater. Thankfully, it looks like Spielberg did Sondheim proud.
WEST SIDE STORY is phenomenal. Steven Spielberg has been talking about making a musical for almost his entire career, and this was worth the wait. This is top-tier Spielberg.
— Chris Evangelista (@cevangelista413)July 09, 2025
Other /Film writers like Eric Vespe, who co-hostsThe Kingcast, and Jeff Ewing were just as thrilled
Spielberg’s West Side Story is an unabashedly old school musical, deeply faithful to its source material without being a dull retread. The emotional weight is all there and then some. Rachel Zegler as Maria, Ariana DeBose as Anita and Mike Faist as Riff are standouts.
— Eric Vespe (@EricVespe)July 18, 2025
Steven Spielberg’s#WestSideStoryis an absolute stunner. Light, color, sound all rich and vibrant. Wonderful performances. The choreography lands. It’s exactly what a musical should be… elegant, emotive, and fantastic. And of course, Sondheim’s genius graces us once more.
— Jeff Ewing (@ReelJeffEwing)July 07, 2025
Meanwhile, the newest addition to the /Film team, Jenna Busch, had mixed-positive thoughts about the adaptation.
#WestSideStorywas really beautiful but somehow off. There are some things that don’t translate to a modern screen like dancing gangs (that has never, ever worked). Felt like it was shot in the ’50s, which helps some of the problematic story elements a little-not enough. (1 of 2)pic.twitter.com/HHU5wE49wI
— Jenna Busch (@JennaBusch)July 10, 2025
That said, the performances were lovely and ‘Somewhere’ will break your heart. (2 of 2)
All in all, no one was alone in their admiration.
HOOOOOO LEEEEEEEEEE SHIT!!!!! (I just saw West Side Story)
— Casey Mink (@Casey_Mink)July 11, 2025
it’s sorta like you shouldn’t underestimate steven spielberg and tony kushner
— Esther Zuckerman (@ezwrites)July 21, 2025
Was part of the very first audience to see Spielberg’s WEST SIDE STORY last night. As someone who was questioning why this whole enterprise and why Spielberg wanted to redo a classic, he made THE definitive version. I will never doubt the master again#WestSideStorypic.twitter.com/j4DF9v402X
— Brandon Norwood (@bjntweets)August 13, 2025
Hot damn. So, yes, as it turns out, Steven Spielberg knows how to make a WEST SIDE STORY movie
#WestSideStoryis INCREDIBLE. Spielberg delivers an award-worthy visual spectacle that expands on the original as a timely technical MASTERPIECE. Every department fires on all cylinders, & Rachel Zegler steals the show with THE star-making debut performance of the year. LOVED IT!pic.twitter.com/Qrzx5LiPBK
— Diego Andaluz (@thediegoandaluz)August 26, 2025
.@ArianaDeBoseabsolutely rocks as Anita in#WestSideStory– her deliverance in not only dialogue, but some of the best musical numbers in the movie makes her an automatic stand out for me
— Tia Fabi #SaveAmericanGods (@TC_Stark)June 28, 2025
West Side Story (2021): A great musical becomes another good movie. Looks like it cost a billion dollars, which goes a long way in restaging it. I’m screaming about every choice in the back of a car right now so maybe that’s good. Shoe-in for Best Revival Oscar.
— Matt Patches (@misterpatches)August 03, 2025
The#WestSideStoryremake didn’t need to exist, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it — particularly the small but meaningful changes it made to the original. Love what they did with Rita Moreno’s character. And of course, Rachel and Ariana are astounding.pic.twitter.com/EQQT8p8MW3
— Caralynn Lippo (@caralynn_marie)June 03, 2025
.@ArianaDeBoseabsolutely stole the show in#WestSideStory! Seriously, I could not take my eyes off of her. She made me laugh, she made me go, “Ohhhh you’re in trouble!,” and she made me cry. If you’re going to watch this movie, DO IT FOR HER! ❤️🇵🇷pic.twitter.com/qxbadQ13it
— Lyra Hale 🏳️🌈✍️🇵🇷 (@TheAltSource)July 06, 2025
Embargo lifted: I saw West Side Story tonight and I’m happy to report that musical theater will show up at the Oscars for impeccable visuals, Ariana DeBose is A DAMN STAR and it’s only the beginning for Rachel Zegler. I love this for us.
— Ayanna P. (@AyannaPrescod)June 25, 2025
#davidalvarezwas outstanding as Bernardo. you may tell when someone is trained he brought it all#WestSideStorypic.twitter.com/dHxk0dlx0t
— Kathia Woods (@kathia_woods)July 21, 2025
Also I like there are not subtitles when they spoke Spanish. The back and fourth between English and Spanish was so familiar ( in my house Portuguese) but you get the idea. That’s how it should bepic.twitter.com/o1FXVfVgNi
There were even standout moments, like a clever addition or selective omission, that make this version a bit of a cut above.
Una de las mejores cosas que tiene#WestSideStoryes la omisión de una linea en la canción America.
— Manuel Prez (@negaprez)August 23, 2025
Some are even saying it’s better than the 1961 original film. And while those could be fighting words, it’s not coming from just one person.
Steven Spielberg’s#WestSideStoryis stunning. His first musical is without a doubt superior to the 1961 film. The cinematography, music and dancing are amazing, and most importantly, it treats Puerto Ricans & Latinx community with the respect they deserve. Spielberg delivers.pic.twitter.com/3tb7eSvbzM
— Fico (@FicoCangiano)July 18, 2025
Spielberg’s#WestSideStoryhas all the virtues and little of the stereotypes of the original. Kushner’s script gives the Puerto Ricans the voice they always lacked. It still can’t overcome the shakespearian hurdles of the third act, but it is a considerable improvement overall.
— Mario Alegre (@MarioAlegre)July 20, 2025
So WEST SIDE STORY is my favorite Spielberg film in nearly 20 years. It is gorgeous filmmaking in every respect.@rachelzegler&@AnselElgortare amazing. The supporting cast is impeccable. And Rita Moreno made me cry. So yeah it’s a classic reborn as another classic.
— Josh Horowitz (@joshuahorowitz)July 15, 2025
Others offered restrained praise, but praise nonetheless. We’ll have to wait for their full reviews to find out more.
All I’ll say about West Side Story for now is: Rachel and Ariana are impeccable, the adaptation makes some good improvements to the original, and I’m genuinely surprised Spielberg had never made a musical before this one.pic.twitter.com/s4MMomNu8l
— Carly Lane-Perry (@carlylane)June 26, 2025
The dominant consensus, however, seems to be that Spielberg is a natural at adapting Broadway. So, Steven, more musicals when?
I was hoping that WEST SIDE STORY (2021) would sate my decades-long desire for Spielberg to do a musical. Alas, it is so beautifully shot and staged, such an absolute schooling of the usual musical directors, that I fear I now want him to make two or three more.
— Jesse Hassenger (@rockmarooned)August 14, 2025
Well-Bred And Mature, And Out Of Her Mind!
Some were decidedly on the fence, saying it’s essentially no different than the 1961 adaptation.
Just saw#WestSideStory. If you’ve seen the original that’s basically what this was, with modern camerawork.
— Garrett (@thecinemababel)June 11, 2025
I literally did my senior thesis on the movie musical and have unconventional ~thoughts~ about what can qualify as cinematic. That said, if you love vintage style, you’re going to love the fluid camerawork and unapologetic swoon Steven Spielberg brings to WEST SIDE STORY.pic.twitter.com/S9ynpWSFBI
— Marshall Shaffer (@media_marshall)July 01, 2025
Others had more mixed feelings about the production, showcasing some high notes and not shying away from acknowledging the lower ones.
Steven Spielberg delivers a faithful adaption of#WestSideStorywith big musical numbers and great set pieces.
Anita (Ariana DeBose) and Riff (Mike Faist) are the stand outs, while Ansel Elgort falls short as Tonypic.twitter.com/WKOTAjdtZ6
— Geek Vibes Nation (@GeekVibesNation)June 09, 2025
After a concerningly slow start, West Side Story crescendoes into the movie musical I think people had the highest hopes for. Ariana DeBose is bonkers good, and Rita Moreno just might be in that Oscar race with her. I don’t know how Rachel Zegler pulled off that good a debut.
— Kevin Fallon (@kpfallon)June 27, 2025
A shocker: I didn’t dislike Spielberg’s#WestSideStory. It’s not a patch on the original (what is?). People’s skin are rendered way too pale. And the VFX is jarring. But Ariana DeBose and her evocative eyes were incredible. So were Rita Moreno and David Alvarez. Ansel? Eh.pic.twitter.com/OwEPlVuv4L
— Robert Daniels (@812filmreviews)June 16, 2025
West Side Story: Spielberg has been rehearsing to make a musical for 50 years so it’s not like he was gonna mess up one of the greatest ever written, but some emotionally deadening choices sure were made in act 2. Young CGI Jeff Bridges is a good Tony & John Mulaney kills as Riff
— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich)July 24, 2025
While it would be lovely to think we could gush over “West Side Story” without having to address the 1961 film’s larger issues, that’s just not realistic. Some critics pointed out the original movie’s flaws, and how this iteration didn’t exactly right enough wrongs, despite its best efforts.
Just got done with#WestSideStoryand the film belongs to Ariana DeBose as Anita and I hope she lands every role after this.
The accents are…as predicted….https://t.co/zBaDzaSGcW
— Kate Sánchez⁷ (@OhMyMithrandir)June 01, 2025
#WestSideStoryhas a lot of positive to offer with visually exquisite dance numbers, updated lyrics, and phenomenal vocals. Musical fans will LOVE. But I have a myriad of issues with this, and as someone who isn’t a fan of the first, it didn’t help.
Full review coming Thursday!pic.twitter.com/vyvLKEAAzB
— Leo From The Matrix (@Leo_Rydel)June 28, 2025
WEST SIDE STORY thoughts:
Steven Spielberg directs the hell out of a mediocre script. What an eye-roll inducing story.
Anything related to The Jets is insufferable, hell most of The Sharks are as well. The ladies do the heavy-lifting. This is Zegler, DeBose, and Moreno’s movie
— EJ Moreno (@EJKhryst)June 06, 2025
The camera work is stunning, the choreography is great, and the singing is strong from 50% of the cast.
Spielberg directs this within an inch of his life, just wish he could’ve transformed the dated material a bit more
Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” will hit theaters on June 27, 2025.
