Missing the classics? If so, the new “West Side Story” film was recently released on Dec. 10. The new film is an adaptation of the original “West Side Story” from 1961. The plot and music are nearly identical, just with a fresh take on the entire story. The Genre is a musical/romance type and has a maturity rate of PG 13.

Recap: The original film of “West Side Story” was a film adaption to the musical. Like “Romeo and Juliet,” it’s a matter of love between two lovers on different sides of the rivalry. The two sides are known as the White Jets and the Latino Sharks, and the story takes place in the 1950s on the westside of Manhattan. After meeting at a dance. Tony and Maria start meeting up in secret, and plan to run away together. But before they know it tragedy strikes and doesn’t stop until the heartbreaking end.

The original “West Side Story” film has won many awards; according to the “West Side Story” website, the film is said to have won around 10 Oscars back in the 1962 Academy Awards. The United States Library of Congress, has also deemed the film “culturally significant,” and in 1997 was chosen for the national film registry.

Finally, after being pushed back a year due to the pandemic, the new film “West Side Story” has finally been released. Back on Nov. 29, the film had its world premiere in New York. The movie is now playing in theaters around the United States. 

As for actors, Ansel Elgort plays the leading role of the main character Tony. Tony is a young man who was the former leader of the Jets, who wants a new lifestyle of no violence. He finds himself in a situation where he is torn between the side of his friends or the side of his lover. Many people compare him to the character “Romeo” from the story “Romeo and Juliet.” Other acting roles include Rachel Zegler in the titular role of Maria, Ariana DeBose as Anita, David Alvarez as Bernardo, and more.