West Side Story first reactions praise Spielberg & Rachel Zegler

The first reactions to Steven Spielberg’s take on West Side Story have begun to hit Twitter and if they are to be believed, Spielberg is at the top of his game and newcomer Rachel Zegler is a true star on the rise.

The film began to screen for awards voters over the weekend ahead of its release before the holiday season and I wouldn’t be surprised if these first reactions led to the film being a top choice for moviegoers, particularly families. Now that the film has had its first official premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles, more reactions have been appearing on social media and most of the praise is going to Spielberg’s direction and Rachel Zegler’s star-making turn as Maria in her feature film debut. You can check out the Twitter reactions below beginning with our very own Matt Rooney who really dug the film as well!

https://twitter.com/MrMattRooney/status/1465568457940865024

https://twitter.com/MrMattRooney/status/1465582138829389825

Steven Spielberg’s #WestSideStory is a TRIUMPH! It's beautiful & brilliantly photographed – a real love letter to NYC w/ a tremendous ensemble cast who truly redefine this classic story for a new generation. Shout outs to @rachelzegler & @ArianaDeBose who CRUSH it in this film. pic.twitter.com/9wJbUJclnV
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) November 30, 2021

Steven Spielberg’s #WestSideStory is a love letter to classic Hollywood filmmaking with music, choreography, and set design that are PURE MAGIC. @TheMoviePodcast Review coming December 2. 9AM ET.

1/2 pic.twitter.com/kivwa40YZn
— Daniel @ CinemaCon • The Movie Podcast (@dbapz) November 30, 2021

Stephen Spielberg's #WestSideStory adaptation was a visual spectacle. @rachelzegler steals every scene with her impressive debut performance. This felt more brutal than the original and I couldn't get enough of the immaculate set designs. pic.twitter.com/oJJuImeJYu
— CriticalOverlord (@CriticalOverlo3) November 30, 2021

Spielberg does not disappoint with #WestSideStory. OK maybe not as much dance-fighting this time, but sets a mood from the opening moments and delivers all the way through that gut-punching climax. “America” is the easy highlight but man Rachel Zegler is magnetic in every scene.
— Kevin Polowy (@djkevlar) November 30, 2021

https://twitter.com/joemnmovieman/status/1465536340229963776

#WestSideStory is INCREDIBLE. Spielberg delivers an award-worthy visual spectacle that expands on the original as a timely technical MASTERPIECE. Every department fires on all cylinders, & Rachel Zegler steals the show with THE star-making debut performance of the year. LOVED IT! pic.twitter.com/Qrzx5LiPBK
— Diego Andaluz (@thediegoandaluz) November 30, 2021

my #WestSideStory review is simply: I can’t wait to see Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose’s careers explode after this. They knock it out of the park as Maria and Anita in this beautiful crafted movie pic.twitter.com/FZtlG8vABS
— Nora Dominick (@noradominick) November 30, 2021

#WestSideStory, a beautiful update of my favorite musical. Carries new meaning as graceful eulogy for Stephen Sondheim, whose lyricism is in perfect rhythm with Steven Spielberg and Janusz Kamiński’s lush visual language. Stunning debut for Rachel Zegler. Rita Moreno still GOAT. pic.twitter.com/aeZ6d0wCeb
— Jeff Zhang 张佶润 (@strangeharbors) November 30, 2021

https://twitter.com/MurrellDan/status/1465528852982247425

I am very much not a musical guy, so I’m perhaps not the best judge of #WestSideStory.

I do, however, know what a movie star looks and @rachelzegler is absolutely that. She is *ridiculous*.

More so than her massive voice, her ability to act with her eyes was stunning. pic.twitter.com/MfqchfKpka
— Eric Italiano (@eric_ital) November 30, 2021

Ansel Elgort and newcomer Rachel Zegler headline the project as star-crossed lovers Tony and Maria. The official synopsis reads, “‘West Side Story’ tells the classic tale of fierce rivalries and young love in 1957 New York City. This reimagining of the beloved musical stars Ansel Elgort (Tony); Rachel Zegler (María); Ariana DeBose (Anita); David Alvarez (Bernardo); Mike Faist (Riff); Josh Andrés Rivera (Chino); Ana Isabelle (Rosalía); Corey Stoll (Lieutenant Schrank); Brian d’Arcy James (Officer Krupke); and Rita Moreno (as Valentina, who owns the corner store in which Tony works). Moreno — one of only three artists to be honored with Academy, Emmy, GRAMMY, Tony, and Peabody Awards – also serves as one of the film’s executive producers.”

West Side Story serves as the first movie musical for director Steven Spielberg and it’s written by frequent collaborator Tony Kushner, who earned screenwriting Oscar nominations for writing duties on Spielberg’s Munich and Lincoln. Expectations are high for West Side Story as the 1961 film adaptation is considered one of the best of the genre, earning 10 Oscar wins, including Best Picture.

What are YOUR thoughts on the first reactions to West Side Story? The highly-anticipated movie musical adaptation hits screens on December 10, 2021.