Steven Spielberg's WEST SIDE STORY - News & Discussion Thread — Page 27

Musical Master said: "I'm glad that she says that this movie is not a remake as most people mistake this as, everyone working on the movie has said that it's a new film adaptation of the original Broadway musical that's different from the 1961 version. Also interesting of note is that according to Zegler:“Every Juliet-based character is pure and innocent. She’s the Virgin Mary, and she can do no wrong, but in reality she’s 18. She’s discovering so much about herself and the way she thinks about the world."

This is an interesting direction for the character that I don't think it's been done this way in any other production of this musical, on stage or on film. Correct me if I'm wrong about that."

From what I have seen via stills and the clips the studio has released so far it looks like a hybrid of both the original Broadway show and the 1961 film - if it were strictly a film adaptation of the Broadway musical (which the 1961 film also was) then they wouldn’t have included the Sharks in the “America” number. That number was only performed by Anita and her friends in the original Broadway show.

degrassifan said: "Musical Master said: "Good to know that the song isn't cut and the number is apparently given an interesting perspective, considering Sondheim's stance on it."

I have a feeling that I Feel Pretty might have some new lyrics. I know Sondheim wrote new ones back When the original Broadway show was in out-of-town tryouts, but the other creators of the musical dismissed him and used the current lyrics as they were.

"

I think I Feel Pretty will largely remain intact

There was a tweet earlier today that someone posted the MPA rating for West Side Story but was soon deleted, but the rating was posted on Blu-Ray Forum. However, until something official pops up, take it with a small grain of salt for now.

MPA Rating: PG-13 for some strong violence, strong language, thematic content, suggestive material and brief smoking.

Found it it's official! I agree that it's welcoming to have what sounds like a more tougher version of the musical than the original. Hopefully this means that a lot of that awkward Arthur Laurents gang slang gets re-written.

https://www.filmratings.com/Search?filmTitle=west+side+story&x=0&y=0

CarlosAlberto said:

<< insert eye roll here >>


Dude is getting excited over a friggin MPAA rating…seriously? SMDH"

Aww Carlos, let people live! Lol. If every little bit of news about this movie brings someone joy, then let them be! You never know what people might be going through in their personal lives.

n2nbaby said: "The MPAA rating shows it is going to be darker, which certainly makes me more excited."

Exactly.

AEA AGMA SM said: "n2nbaby said: "lol get over yourself. The MPAA rating shows it is going to be darker, which certainly makes me more excited."

Maybe, but since the MPAA didn’t start until 1968, and didn’t create the PG-13 rating until the mid-80s, you can’t say for sure what the 1961 film would have been rated, especially considering the often very arbitrary nature of their decisions. (Check out the documentaryThis Film Is Not Yet Ratedto see how there’s little rhyme or reason to why certain movies get rated the way they do)

"

I have watched the documentary more than once. Film is one of two passions of mine (theatre being the first), so I am aware of the history of the MPAA. Like I said, the rating is still exciting for people who are excited for a darker version of WSS.

AEA AGMA SM said: "n2nbaby said: "lol get over yourself. The MPAA rating shows it is going to be darker, which certainly makes me more excited."

Maybe, but since the MPAA didn’t start until 1968, and didn’t create the PG-13 rating until the mid-80s, you can’t say for sure what the 1961 film would have been rated, especially considering the often very arbitrary nature of their decisions. (Check out the documentaryThis Film Is Not Yet Ratedto see how there’s little rhyme or reason to why certain movies get rated the way they do)

"

If the 1961 film were rated today for theatrical release, I'm fairly certain it would be also be PG-13, mainly for the violence. These days, the PG rating really only applies to family fare, and live-action movies with any significant level of violence seem to get an automatic PG-13. WSS has violence and killing, which would very easily disqualify it from a PG rating, by today's standards.

If it was the MPAA of back then, the original would've gotten a PG, if it was the MPA of now it would be a hard PG/very soft PG-13. That would be my guess; but yeah the new 2021 version getting what seems to look like a tougher PG-13 rating is more than appropriate, considering that this is Spielberg we're talking about.

Forgive me if this question will seem silly to some but I was wondering with all the backlash against smoking depictions on screen, will the gang members in this version be shown smoking?

I do believe they were shown smoking in the 1961 version.

There have been criticism from some over the years that the 1961 version had the quote: "least threatening gang members ever shown on screen". Which is honestly hilarious to read, they do realize that it's a musical right?