7.6 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
An adaptation of the 1957 musical, West Side Story explores forbidden love, and the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds.
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Rita MorenoMusical | 100% |
Music | 44% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Crime | Insignificant |
Video codec: HEVC / H.265
Video resolution: 4K (2160p)
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby Atmos
English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
Spanish: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Digital copy
4K Ultra HD
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 0.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
One of the things that has been discussed, sometimes rabidly, in the wake of this remake of the venerable 1961 film version of West Side Story is, "Should there have even been a remake?" After all, would anyone ever attempt to remake Citizen Kane? (And please don't tell me if anyone is planning to.) But there's a salient difference at hand with regard to West Side Story, at least contextually, and that's the fact that it was, not to state the obvious, originally conceived as a theater piece, and any theater company that has ever produced the show in the decades since its Broadway premiere in 1957 has in their own way "remade" it. Now, the vagaries of licensing a musical for stage performance typically mean that not too many liberties can be taken, but even so, with a "living" entity like a stage production, there's an almost "built in" at least perception of new if not always improved iterations in the mix, despite the fact that by the very nature of the medium, any film adaptation is "set", to use a blocking term of art from the theater. That said, it was an undeniably audacious thing for Steven Spielberg to even suggest that he would do an updated film version of one of the most beloved film musicals (and, indeed, films) of all time, one which famously broke box office records and won one of the highest number of Academy Awards ever doled out (ten, including an honorary statuette bestowed upon choreographer Jerome Robbins), and a film which is still held in incredibly high esteem for both its artistic merit and its visceral emotional impact. And yet perhaps unsurprisingly there have been naysayers with regard to the Robert Wise classic, especially in more "PC" times looking back to the casting of various characters who were supposed to be Puerto Rican but who, at least in the form of Natalie Wood, most decidedly weren't. (While George Chakiris was also not Puerto Rican, he at least had some history with the stage version, having portrayed Riff on the West End for almost two years.) Other curmudgeons have also lamented the fact that the two leads in the 1961 version did not do their own singing (Jimmy Bryant sang for Richard Beymer and the legendary Marni Nixon subbed for Natalie Wood). Those issues have been addressed at least in some fashion in this remake, and scenarist Tony Kushner and director Steven Spielberg have also added a number of other tweaks which may or may not find favor with those familiar with the original stage version and the 1961 film.
Note: Screenshots are sourced from the 1080 disc.
West Side Story is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of 20th Century Studios and Disney / Buena Vista with a 2160p transfer in
2.39:1. Shot on Kodak 35mm film (the closing credits actually list the lots of negative stock, something I don't think I've ever seen before), and with
the IMDb reporting a 4K DI, this is a really spectacular looking presentation from both detail and palette standpoints, with the 4K presentation enjoying
at times rather substantial upticks in fine detail and with some added luster to an already impressive palette. The film is a lot more
overtly graded at times than the 1961 version, but there's a rather refreshing gamut of tones employed, with some buttery outdoor material contrast
with much cooler, blue tinged, interior pieces. While the closing credits offer a Dolby Vision listing along with Dolby Atmos, my player didn't offer a
Dolby Vision option and I don't see any listing of one on the packaging. One way or the other HDR in this 4K iteration makes the blues arguably skewed
just slightly more toward greens at times, giving a
slight teal quality, but on the other side of the spectrum warmer tones in particular pop with considerable energy throughout this version, with more of
a
red cast in pinks and oranges at times. The costumes are a revelation from both fine detail and color perspectives, and though he has some stiff
competition, I won't be surprised if Paul Tazewell brings home an Oscar for his efforts. Fine detail on patterns on both the costumes and other practical
items like the bricks on surfaces (when they're not CGI, which I'm assuming they are at least some of the time) is also precise looking, and the 4K
version offers some better shadow definition on these and other elements in some notable nighttime or dimly lit sequences, as in the film's tragic finale.
As mentioned
above in the main body of the review, there is a surplus of lens flares throughout the film, which to my eyes did not look especially organic and which
ultimately tended to distract me at times. Grain resolves beautifully throughout the presentation, and unlike some other 4K UHD presentations of shot
on film offerings, I noticed none of the "swarm" like tendencies that can sometimes accrue.
The 4K UHD version of West Side Story features a really great sounding Dolby Atmos track, though I have to say I didn't notice a whale of a lot of difference between the Atmos rendering and the 1080 disc's DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track, which I also found to be exceptionally well designed and presented. The Atmos track occasionally offers more overt spaciousness and directionality, as in the opening whistle calls and the slow but steady roar of background construction noise, and as with the 7.1 track, surround activity is very impressive and immersive in virtually all of the outdoor urban scenes in particular. As I mention in the main body of the review, I had a few passing quibbles with how the actual mix was handled for the film, for there are times when you can hear where the underscore is dialed down so that sound effects are more forward, but in terms of fidelity and actual presentation, I don't think many will have any major complaints. The musical sequences all resonate gorgeously and there's some really nice discrete channelization in the Quintet in particular. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English, Spanish and French subtitles are available.
The 4K UHD disc has no supplemental content, and my score above reflects that fact. The 1080 disc also included in this package features the supplements listed in our West Side Story Blu-ray review . Additionally, a digital copy is included and packaging features a slipcover.
Early in my reviewing career here at Blu-ray.com, I was tasked with watching and writing about countless contemporary productions of iconic operas which I would charitably classify as being in the Eurotrash category. Viewing everything from Mozart to Richard Strauss in new if arguably unimproved versions which could feature everything from leather clad women bearing whips to women wearing nothing at all in sometimes sleazy, smarmy stagings just left me feeling kind of dirty after having watched them. The good news here is that Spielberg and his team have approached this venerable property with respect and maybe even reverence. The results here may not erase memories of the original film, but really, do they even have to? A lot about this West Side Story connects powerfully, and were there not a 1961 version to compare it to, I think it might be more easily considered to be a formidable achievement. Technical merits are solid, with the 4K version offering some subtle differences in audio courtesy of the Dolby Atmos track and some perhaps more noticeable differences in detail and palette on the video side of things. The main making of featurette is very well done. Recommended.
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1985
Director's Extended Edition
2006
1980
1977
Special Edition
2004
Signature Edition
1979
1973
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1952
Warner Archive Collection
1966
Limited Edition to 3000
1967
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1954
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1956
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Paramount Presents #2
1958