The Masked Cinema 2022 - West Side Story

West Side Story is the latest musical to hit the big screen. Directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg, they are calling in the big guns for this film. Starring Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler (in her feature film debut) with Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, & Rita Moreno. The film features music composed by Leonard Bernstein, with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

The film has received critical acclaim, it has was named one of the top ten films of 2021 by the National Board of Review. While receiving four nominations at the 79th Golden Globe Awards, including Best Picture – Musical/Comedy and tied with Belfast for a leading eleven nominations at the 27th Critics' Choice Awards, including Best Picture.

While critical and awards are fine, the film has been a box-office bomb. Grossing only $10.6 million in its opening weekend. It has grossed a total of $52.7 million worldwide, against a production budget of $100 million, likely resulting in a financial loss for Disney.

However whilst Disney are doing huge business in the streaming game, Marvel movies, the odd bomb is expected.

I had never seen the musical live or listened to the songs prior to attending the film, however I actually really enjoyed it.

Whilst its slightly too long, the choreography is amazing. The songs I thought were familiar really went off with a bang.

I would recommend this if you need to escape the summer humidity. As cases rise so does the humidity factor, 3.5 Stars for this musical, turned big screen feature.