[allendale]

Spielberg is a great director. Despite his social liberalism, his work has demonstrated a respect for middle class Americans, the core decency, valor, sacrifices and accomplishments of the American military and nation to confront and destroy evil. However he must be bored. There was no need to remake or reinterpret “West Side Story”. It was a masterpiece of its time. A musical with beautiful, evocative music inspired by the perennial themes mastered by Shakespeare in “Romeo and Juliet” adapted to a then contemporary 1950’s New York setting. However that New York setting is long gone. What was Spielberg hoping to show or accomplish? Some things should be left alone and not be subjected to cultural revisionism.

[Right_Wing_Madman]

Spielberg is a great director.

Early Spielberg was great. Saving Private Ryan was awful and Spielberg never quite got his mojo back after that debacle.

[avenir]

Well said.

[alexander_busek]

However that New York setting is long gone.

Exactly!

Would be like trying to re-make "The Best Years of Our Lives" with servicemen returning from Afghanistan.

The fellow with the hook hands would be replaced with a trannie. The "Dana Andrews" character would be openly gay. The "Frederic March" character would be a drug addict.

At the end of the film, the "Dana Andrews" character would have to give a speech in which he denounces American exceptionalism and inveighs against interventions in foreign conflicts.

Sickening to contemplate!

Regards,

[Borges]

The 1961 film was completely inadequate. Flatly directed and badly acted. This version is an improvement in every way.