West Side Story: A Musical Film Like No Other
For people who love musical-films, who would miss the masterpiece that is West Side Story?
West Side Story, a 1961 film about two people with a forbidden love. The story tells about a young Puerto Rican man, Tony who fell in love with the American lady named Maria. However, coincidentally, Maria is the sister of the leader of the Sharks, the group Tony formerly has a rivalry with. Both struggle to fight for their love for each other amidst the conflict between the Sharks and Jets.
It's a musical in the 60's! Who would not be interested in this? The retro moves and old music, the wardrobe, the setting, all were very interesting to watch. Sometimes, it felt funny though how they suddenly start dancing out of nowhere, especially when they are supposed to be intensely chasing each other. And I also felt like the dance scenes are so loooong (if you compare it to today's musical films) but it was still interesting, especially how can these men dance better than a female like me. I can hardly see those kind of moves from the men nowadays, they're just all about hiphop or cramping. It's refreshing to see 'old' dance moves from this movie!
I am not familiar with the music/songs used except Mambo which I used to only hear from as an orchestra piece. It's a fun music and I love it when played with instruments. Anyway, as with the other songs, I think they fit well to the scenes. That song, 'Tonight' is well-chosen for Maria and Tony's lovestroy definitely, because well, they fell in love within a night.
One thing I also noticed while watching the movie was Maria's amazing voice! I would think she's an opera singer. She has that unique voice that opera singers have, she's crazily good. That kind of voice is definitely something you rarely hear these days. So, talent, check!
I kinda thought the movie wasn't all about the love between Tony and Maria. I thought it also tackled racism between the two ethnic groups. It shows how prejudice among different race can hurt the people around us. Just like Bernardo, Maria's brother, who hates the Jets because they're different, only end up hurting her own sister and himself as well.
West Side Story is worth the watch. It may not be like today's musical films and may be cringe-y at first but once you'd get engaged with the story, you'll definitely enjoy the watch.
Here's the trailer for you:
It's a musical in the 60's! Who would not be interested in this? The retro moves and old music, the wardrobe, the setting, all were very interesting to watch. Sometimes, it felt funny though how they suddenly start dancing out of nowhere, especially when they are supposed to be intensely chasing each other. And I also felt like the dance scenes are so loooong (if you compare it to today's musical films) but it was still interesting, especially how can these men dance better than a female like me. I can hardly see those kind of moves from the men nowadays, they're just all about hiphop or cramping. It's refreshing to see 'old' dance moves from this movie!
I am not familiar with the music/songs used except Mambo which I used to only hear from as an orchestra piece. It's a fun music and I love it when played with instruments. Anyway, as with the other songs, I think they fit well to the scenes. That song, 'Tonight' is well-chosen for Maria and Tony's lovestroy definitely, because well, they fell in love within a night.
One thing I also noticed while watching the movie was Maria's amazing voice! I would think she's an opera singer. She has that unique voice that opera singers have, she's crazily good. That kind of voice is definitely something you rarely hear these days. So, talent, check!
I kinda thought the movie wasn't all about the love between Tony and Maria. I thought it also tackled racism between the two ethnic groups. It shows how prejudice among different race can hurt the people around us. Just like Bernardo, Maria's brother, who hates the Jets because they're different, only end up hurting her own sister and himself as well.
West Side Story is worth the watch. It may not be like today's musical films and may be cringe-y at first but once you'd get engaged with the story, you'll definitely enjoy the watch.
Here's the trailer for you:
0 comments