I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

West Side StoryAs much as simple and familiar path the tale walks on, there is just too much of passion and enthusiasm towards the project and the work that went behind the camera, which makes it almost impossible to not be affected or mesmerized by it. The technical aspects like costume design, sound department and choreography is rich in details and makes its immensely entertaining at the largest scale possible. The first half of the feature is simply and utterly beautiful and pleasing to encounter where everything is mushy-gushy and mellow but as soon as the second half kicks in, the whole plot turns into this hegemony of "humane" nature conflicts and ironically more poetic than the first half. The execution by the director is decent but in here the editing plays a major role and sweeps away the charm as it is perfectly done. The performance is decent by the lead characters but all the limelight is stolen by the supporting cast especially Rita Moreno. The only minor conflict in it is the amount of time it takes to make the definite point, which can be challenging at some times. West Side Story is a musical act co-ordinated as a mirror; which is the ideology of the society in here that we all reside in.

This review is meant for the younger viewers who have probably no idea about this classic of a film. At the present state we are in, are we going to point fingers to anyone who plays a role rewritten for dramatization or are we going to take a look at the big picture, just watch and enjoy?Leonard Bernstein is brilliant and many of the songs here are songs that we hum and recognize. But many don't even know it is from West Side story. The gangs at war and the two lovers caught in between their warring brothers and friends. The great love ends in a tragedy. There are lessons to be learned and it is wonderfully choreographed and portrayed. It is always wonderful to se the old school actors without science on their faces or bodies rather raw, natural , real , timeless beauty.

There is certainly tough competition when trying to decide the best musical of all time but I believe West Side Story is the clear winner. The acting is first rate and the locations gritty and realistic so you get the feel of what it is like to be a poor immigrant in New York. Natalie Wood and Rita Moreno are outstanding as the beautiful innocent Maria and the alluring more worldly wise Anita. Above all, Bernstein's music is breathtaking and unique, sweeping from gangster slang through lively Hispanic dances to luminous love songs. Unlike many musicals, it always feels real and grounded which makes the tragic ending all the more moving.

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.