Karen Ferrier

I had been waiting to see this for 2 years, having seen the original at least 50 times! How could you go wrong with Steven Spielberg in a remake? I hated this movie! It started off with the actor playing Riff in the first scene and went down hill from there. Riff casting was all wrong, small, mealy mouse and where were the NY accents? My family grew up in NYC in the 50s & 60’s and they all sounded like Judge Judy. I was looking forward to the dance scenes but not one impressed me. “Cool” which in my opinion is the best dance scene next to the opening in the original becomes a dance fight between Riff & Tony over a gun? Schrank wasn’t the passionate angry detective like the original. Maria kisses Tony 1 minute after they meet in the 50’s? I found “America” and the “Mixer Dance” scene too busy to see the actual choreography, costumes blurred into the scenery. “Officer Krupke” scene was too busy to enjoy. I liked the Rita Moreno role, Chino’s expanded role was good too. Anita was great...the others were ok at best. Normally I would run back to see again, this time I couldn’t wait for it to end. Sorry Steven Spielberg, except for bringing the movie to younger generations, you should have left it alone. So bummed!