This remake is very much appreciated. I seem to be among a small number of people who haven’t publicly expressed their unwavering affection for “West Side Story,” a hugely successful and critically acclaimed musical that continues to draw audiences. As I mentioned previously, my expectations were different. The story revolves around the conflict between young Americans and Puerto Rican immigrants in New York City, alongside the unlikely romance between the leader of one gang and the sister of the other’s leader. While the subject matter wasn't as sensitive at the time, I felt a certain prejudice against Latinos. Consider that the main actress was not Latina; she was an Anglo-Saxon woman whose face had been made up, and she didn’t even sing in the film. I am thankful Steven Spielberg decided to make this remake. The movie respects both the original story and the earlier film while correcting some of the significant issues I previously identified, resulting in a more satisfying experience. It isn't without its flaws, but these are different from those I found problematic in the 1961 version. Spielberg’s careful attention to detail is evident in the meticulously designed sets and costumes, the thorough and insightful character development, and the remarkable dance sequences that are both precisely choreographed and executed with great skill. I also appreciated the look of the locations, and how the entire story unfolds within a New York neighborhood facing demolition for modern office buildings. The soundtrack and songs are what one would anticipate, and the actors perform them exceptionally well, often during filming rather than in a studio. One aspect that stood out to me was the raw intensity of the rival groups. They don't resemble bored young men who decided to fight after church on Sunday. Knives, guns, sticks—anything they could use, they did, and they seemed genuinely threatening and intimidating, as you’d expect from a group of real juvenile delinquents. It was also nice to see some actors from the 1961 film return in different roles, particularly Rita Moreno, who played a friendly shopkeeper this time. I believe it was a respectful way to acknowledge them and their work. Rachel Zegler is a talented young Latina woman with a Colombian mother, and she seems perfectly suited for the role of Maria. She made the most of the opportunity to advance her career, and she’s excellent—a good singer and a capable actress. Ariana DeBose and David Alvarez are also strong choices, adding commitment, skill, and charisma to the film, especially DeBose, who possesses an undeniable presence and remarkable talent. Mike Faist is also very good in his part. As for Ansel Elgort... he tries, attempting to fit the role and struggling with the material, but I don’t think he ever truly connected with it. Something feels missing there. But that's just my opinion.

Source on TMDB