martinblackwell The acting & movement even the dancing all seems rather forced and has certainly not aged well, in fact it looks as if it's on a Broadway or West End stage, which of course it was, rather than a movie. "Somewhere" is still a great song though

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.

janiceferrero This masterpiece is already 56 years old and as it happens with masterpieces, it has kept intact all of its energy all of its power and it remains a mind blowing novelty. "Singin'n'the Rain" has those qualities but the setting is a natural for the infections musical numbers. In "West Side Story" we visit Romeo And Juliet in New York among feuding street gangs. Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins create an experience for the ages. Natalie Wood is devastatingly gorgeous and even if the singing voice is not hers she manages to make it hers. The blandness of Richard Beymer works wonders for his Tony and Russ Tamblyn is a dynamo of youthful exuberance. But perhaps, Rita Moreno and George Chakiris steal the limelight. They are spectacular - As Oscar time they won Oscars over Judy Garland and Montgomery Clift in "Judgement At Nuremberg" To conclude let me reiterate "West Side Story" is a film to visit and revisit.

Joseph Kearny The choreography, dancing and on location photography create excitement, but the story, an update of Romeo and Juliet, is trite, sugary and uninteresting. Ultimately, aside from the singing and dancing, the film really drags with far too many characters and caricatures crowding the screen making the star crossed lovers Tony and Maria peripheral characters which may be a blessing because Wood and Beymer are a dull pair and Beymer is not persuasive as a former gang leader even if the Jets are the Dead End Kids with ballet training. Oscar winners Rita Moreno and George Chakiris give the only memorable performances. The film's energy and interest is not sustained making the film's 2 and 1/2 hours running time feel punishing and the ending more relief than tragedy.