Posted: 12/3/21 at 12:25pm
This entire soundtrack is BREATHTAKING, and happy to know Sondheim got to hear this first
Posted: 12/3/21 at 12:30pm
Rotten Tomatoes up to 97! Wowza. Will be interesting when "average Joes" start adding their 2 cents.
Posted: 12/3/21 at 12:36pm
Add me to the camp of folks who are LOVING this soundtrack. I can't wait to see the film next weekend.
Posted: 12/3/21 at 12:51pm
For those that have seen the film, what song does Maria reprise in the finale? I was hoping it would be on the soundtrack, but it's not.
Posted: 12/3/21 at 12:52pm
What a STUNNER of a film soundtrack. The orchestrations sound so lush and fresh and everyone sounds phenomenal. I hear ACTING in the songs. It's honestly fascinating that Ansel is in every review described as such a weak spot cause on the album he sounds wonderful.
This is easily one of the best West Side albums that exist. As others have said, this score is such a balancing act to not become overly operatic but also have the vocals match the tonality of Bernstein's gorgeous music.
There is this graceful mid point between classical broadway and fresh current broadway the vocals sound.
Rachel Zegler belting the most high octane moment in the duet of "Boy Like That" is SO GOOD. Such a great choice.
I know I shouldn't have this high expectations going into seeing it but this album is immaculate.
Posted: 12/3/21 at 3:32pm
The end credits of the 1961 movie are my favorite movie closing credits EVER. The next time you're taking a look at that film, stay for the closing credits because visually and music-wise, they are simply outstanding.
While I don't know how the closing credits are handled visually in the new movie, the audio for them on the soundtrack is everything the 1961 was and then some! On the 1961 soundtrack recording, they run 5:08 minutes...on this new recording, they run 9:04 minutes. Beautifully orchestrated. Perfection.
The entire soundtrack recording of the Spielberg film will, I believe, become my go-to recording of the score (and I have 9 different recordings of WEST SIDE STORY). It is everything I hoped it would be and so much more!
Posted: 12/3/21 at 3:34pm
The soundtrack rendered me breathless
Posted: 12/3/21 at 5:24pm
Well damn I was working as a nurse and was too late! I want to see this so badly! If you or anyone you know needs a plus one, I would love to go!
Posted: 12/3/21 at 5:27pm
jlindsey865 said: "For those that have seen the film, what song does Maria reprise in the finale? I was hoping it would be on the soundtrack, but it's not."
In the Making of book, it says she reprises Tonight
Posted: 12/3/21 at 6:05pm
https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/yvonne-wilder-dead-84-actor-west-side-story-1235123213/
Posted: 12/3/21 at 8:06pm
For what possible reason do mods keep deleting posts that point people toward the early screenings?
Posted: 12/4/21 at 2:18am
I’m enjoying reading all the reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. One that struck me says “WSS is done being polite about what it’s really about…” then goes on to dissect all the socio-political issues that were merely hinted at or subjugated in the 1961 film but highlighted in this version including Anybody’s status as a trans man. This definitely has more depth and gravitas than the original. Loving it.
Posted: 12/4/21 at 7:01am
Posted: 12/4/21 at 10:22am
I’m no West Side Story expert. I’ve only seen it live in the most recent Broadway revival and loved it, but I’ve never been a huge fan of the original film. It’s one of my uncle’s favorites and he found a way to put it on any holiday he was home, but it never did much for me.
However, I’m a huge Spielberg fan, and I’ve listened to more than enough recordings of the score to feel confident in saying this might be a definitive recording. I’m sure there’s music missing I don’t notice and things that got changed up, but only for the better, in my opinion. Bernstein and Sondheim’s score has never sounded clearer, sharper, or more alive with character and feeling. The vocal performances are uniformly great, but the arrangement and conducting of the score are the star here. You can feel Spielberg in the room, and according to Gustavo Dudamel, he was an incredibly supportive collaborator during the process. It sounds like it.
I’m so excited to see this movie finally. The soundtrack only made it more exciting.
Posted: 12/4/21 at 10:45am
Rachel Zegler's "I Feel Pretty" is one if not the greatest, purest interpretations that I have ever heard of this song. She communicates all of the character's feelings and emotions through that beautiful voice of hers. She has the voice of an angel. She was born for this role. I love her gutsy take on the line "Miss America can just resign!" - so flirty and fun.
She's a winner.
Posted: 12/4/21 at 10:56am
SpiritualGangster said: "Rachel Zegler's "I Feel Pretty" is one if not the greatest, purest interpretations that I have ever heard of this song. She communicates all of the character's feelings and emotions through that beautiful voice of hers. She has the voice of an angel. She was born for this role. I love her gutsy take on the line "Miss America can just resign!" - so flirty and fun.
She's a winner."
Rachel has a great soprano voice
Posted: 12/4/21 at 11:43am
SpiritualGangster said: "Rachel Zegler's "I Feel Pretty" is one if not the greatest, purest interpretations that I have ever heard of this song. She communicates all of the character's feelings and emotions through that beautiful voice of hers. She has the voice of an angel. She was born for this role. I love her gutsy take on the line "Miss America can just resign!" - so flirty and fun.
She's a winner."
Whole-heartedly agree..... and since it appears that this number has been moved to after the Rumble, all the joy and optimism it's performed with is absolutely heartbreaking
Posted: 12/4/21 at 12:39pm
The8re phan said: "SpiritualGangster said: "Rachel Zegler's "I Feel Pretty" is one if not the greatest, purest interpretations that I have ever heard of this song. She communicates all of the character's feelings and emotions through that beautiful voice of hers. She has the voice of an angel. She was born for this role. I love her gutsy take on the line "Miss America can just resign!" - so flirty and fun.
She's a winner."
Whole-heartedly agree..... and since it appears that this number has been moved to after the Rumble, all the joy and optimism it's performed with is absolutely heartbreaking
Yes. It’s going to pack an emotional punch.
Posted: 12/4/21 at 12:58pm
A different and interesting and fun version of "I Feel Pretty" from the British Puppini Sisters.
Posted: 12/4/21 at 3:02pm
The soundtrack is in the top 100 on Amazon in terms of CDs of any genre
Posted: 12/4/21 at 5:58pm
Judging from this clip alone, Ariana Debose is on FIRE! And Justin Peck's choreography is going to be incredible to behold.
Posted: 12/4/21 at 6:52pm
Musical Master said: "Juding from this clip alone, Ariana Debose is on FIRE! And Justin Peck's choreography is going to be incredible to behold.
"
I'm in a
Posted: 12/5/21 at 4:20pm
The 20/20 special is on tonight
Posted: 12/5/21 at 11:20pm
rattleNwoolypenguin said: "So weirdly the thing I'm wondering is do we finally get the full "A Boy Like That/I Have a Love" on film for the first time? Cause the '61 film cuts the "Boy Like That" section short and removes the counterpoint between her and Maria which I love. It's tremendously operatic"
Yes, that section is included. "One Hand, One Heart" is performed in its entirety as well.
Posted: 12/6/21 at 12:15am
Okay. I just returned from a Director's Guild screening of the film and I can go on for quite awhile about all that is quite simply perfect about this film. There wasn't a scene in this 2 1/2 hour film that wasn't stunningly crafted on all levels. Speilberg's musicianship in his direction is riveting and Kushner's screenplay ads gravitas and empathy to all of the characters. Justin Peck's choreography is pitch perfect and the cast is lovely. The great standout for me was the creation of Rita Moreno"s Valentina, the widow of Doc who now runs the drug store. She is headed for another Oscar nomination for a deeply affecting performance and she is the character who sings "Somewhere" summing up the desire for a better world between all people. A considerable amount of the dialogue is in Spanish without subtitles which is a daring choice and works beautifully. At this point, having seen many of the top films in awards contention, WSS is a favorite to repeat it's Oscar success of 60 years ago. If anyone has specific questions I'd be happy to answer any in detail. I could could go on, but suffice it to say that this is not only a breathtakingly meaningful and contemporary take on the material but also one of the best (dare I say THE best) adaptation of a musical that I think I have ever seen. I'm not one for hyperbole but I am smitten with this extraordinary film.
