patanellar I don't get why so many people love this film. Of all the cheesy romance movies to every come out, this is the worst. The lovers see each other at a dance from across the room, and instantly fall in love, and less then a day later, they plan to run away together. Jesus Christ, this film utterly, absolutely, sucks.

OllieSuave-007 This is an appealing musical about the feuding New York gangs of the Jets and the Sharks. While battling who gets to take charge of the streets, the gang members all happen to attend the same dance event one night. There, Tony (Richard Beymer) meets Maria (Natalie Wood) and falls in love. However, their relationship are complicated by their sides' continuing feud.The actors' singing were splendidly done and the New York working class setting gives off just the right mood in the film.The movie was fast-paced and suspenseful. From the gangs' riff to Tony and Maria's forbidden love, both plot points blend in well in the film. The movie also touches the sensitivity of prejudice and race, but in a way that is suitable for a general audience. A powerful message and lesson are sent in the film as well.Many popular and classic songs are heard, from the "Jet Song" to "America" and from "Tonight" to "I Feel Pretty." A show-stopping music score by Leonard Bernstein and unforgettable dance numbers. Have to give a mention to Natalie Wood and Rita Moreno, as they were both really charming and stunning in the film.Definitely one of the most iconic films in pop culture history.Grade B+

Smoreni Zmaj This movie drives me crazy. I barely forced myself to see it through because it is extremely annoyingly done and I rate such movies with 2/10 (1/10 is for those I gave up on), but when it finally ended I was under such amazing impression that I wanted to give it 10/10.Story is inspired by Romeo and Juliet, but placed in NY in the mid 20th century, where two members of opponent teenage gangs fall in love. Acting, directing and music are great. Movie is extremely emotional and possess strength and atmosphere of a theater. It has all prerequisites for excellency. And it won 10 Oscars. But...Everything in this movie is overemphasized and I hate that. However, if I observe it as theater on canvas I can get over it.Movie starts with instrumental intro with frozen screen. It lasts around 5 minutes. At first I thought my movie player was stuck, then I tried to find another version online and I almost gave up on watching this movie when I finally realized it is supposed to be that way. Why would anyone do such thing I really have no idea and that's first minus.It's damn musical. And one of those needlessly stretched to two and a half hours by completely redundant musical numbers. First half of the movie is almost unwatchable and I was at the edge of giving up several times. But curiosity about how will story go kept me going on. Story is great and some musical numbers tell parts of the story, but good part of them just have no purpose in the movie. They are just for enjoying music and to double length of the film. That's second minus.Just when I decided to stick it out or simply fast forward redundant parts and watch this movie till the end ultimate deal breaker happened that left me shocked. Scene where two gangs are closing to "battle field" and mass brawl/rumble itself are shown in the form of ballet. BALLET?! Even if I didn't hate ballet, which I really do, I mean, really ?! Teenage mass fight as ballet... wtf?! The ultimately stupidest thing I saw on big screen. Instant embarrassment transfer. Huge minus, I mean really really big.And then, in the middle of the movie there's one more musical intermezzo with frozen screen. That was too much for my nerves and I turned it off.But, later it bothered me how the story ends and I decided to see other half too the very next day. Second half had more story and action and less redundancy and musical numbers are structural part of the plot. And ending made me cry. And how should I rate it now...8/10Natalie Wood is so beautiful in this movie. Like an angel <3

jimpat44 I really like the Shawshank Redemption. It was a very good movie. However it is not in the same universe as West Side Story (and many other movies prior to 1961). West Side Story is certainly one of the best musicals of all time, maybe the best. As such it is on a higher plane than most movies ever made. The music is from Leonard Bernstein, maybe the best American composer ever. It was ground-breaking film.Also it was the first major film that dealt with cultural issues that we are still dealing with today. So West Side Story was an amazing, enduring movie with wonderful music. I don't think you can ask for better than that.