Kim Murphy. In this new version, Rachel Zegler and Ansel Elgort portray Maria and Tony, whose ill-fated romance flags the fires of the bitter rivalry between local street gangs the Sharks and the Jets. Rita Moreno, who won an Oscar for her performance as Anita in the film adaptation of the musical, appears in the remake in a new role and served as an executive producer.
Popular on Variety. This is top-tier Spielberg. Film critic Robert Daniels prefaced his favorable opinion by declaring his surprise over having enjoyed the film. After voicing a few issues on the technical side, he highlighted the performances of DeBose, Moreno and Alvarez. And the VFX is jarring. But Ariana DeBose and her evocative eyes were incredible. So were Rita Moreno and David Alvarez.
Thrillist senior entertainment writer Esther Zuckerman simply affirmed that Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner are not talents to be doubted.
Film critic Jesse Hassenger also enjoyed the film, highlighting the misfortune of there being no other Steven Spielberg-directed musicals on the immediate horizon. Alas, it is so beautifully shot and staged, such an absolute schooling of the usual musical directors, that I fear I now want him to make two or three more. Hot damn. Vivid, beautiful work from our greatest living American moviemaker.
David Alvarez is the breakout, but everyone's aces. The CAST- megatalented megawatt energy balls! LOVED the love story! Steven Spielberg makes it look easy β but every frame of this film is him at the top of his game. Oh, and rachelzegler is about to be one of the biggest stars on the planet.
