West Side Story (1961)

West Side Story is a story that isl know right away. This musical has interesting song and dance choices through out. The story starts out when two gangs clash over the streets of New York, love fuels from hate. The puerto rican sharks and the white jets are certainly far from similar. When they fight over who is to rule the streets, a less than ordinary love connection occurs. Head shark Bernardo’s little sister Maria falls in love with former jet Tony. Their secret love affair can not seem to stop the violence between the two gangs. The groups try to plan a fight to decide once and for all who is to rule the streets . Bernardo kills Tony’s best friend Riff, out of revenge Tony stabs Bernardo. This is news that Maria can’t seem to believe. Tony’s and Maria’s love is so strong that she forgives him for the death of her brother, even with the opposite opinions of her family. Tragedy can’t seem to stop and Tony is killed. With this the rivalry comes to a close.
West side Story is an updated version of Romeo and Juliet. The storyline is predictable, and every event that happens is expected. Robert Wise just modernizes a new story, there is nothing that is original. The only feelings the characters have are ones that you expect to happen. Even though you know everything that is going to happen, the characters do an okay job of relaying emotion in scenes. They do this by showing their true emotions in song and dance.
Overall, I would not call it new or revolutionary to any means, but it was still okay to watch. It is an interesting view on a classic and was nice to see someone else's interpretation of it.