West Side Story Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "West Side Story" has sparked significant discussions among video presentation enthusiasts, underscored by its 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 encoded transfer in a widescreen 2.20:1 aspect ratio. From its ostensibly 70mm source, the film exhibits a dense, 'chunky' image quality typical of 70mm prints—carrying exceptional sharpness without veering into an overly clinical appearance. The colors are richly saturated, with warm skin tones, striking contrasts, and deep, solid blacks, culminating in a visually engaging experience.

However, several technical issues have marred what could have been a near-perfect presentation. Chief among these is a well-documented error in Saul Bass's title design transition; a fade-out and fade-in process replaced what should have been a seamless dissolve to the Manhattan skyline, leading Fox to promise corrected pressings. Additionally, the opening aerial shots of Manhattan reveal shimmer artifacts on vertical lines, and moiré effects appear on wire fences and gated windows throughout the film. Despite these flaws, the film remarkably retains a sharp and appealing look overall.

Overall, despite imperfections such as occasional contrast inconsistencies and residual shimmer on certain textures and patterns, "West Side Story" on Blu-ray remains visually spectacular. The well-restored transfer delivers on its premise with gorgeously saturated colors—particularly the reds and purples—bringing a new life to this classic with clarity unparalleled in its previous releases. Fleshtones appear natural, and both the intimate and broad cinematic scenes maintain a nuanced level of detail. The film achieves an admirable balance between high-definition sharpness while retaining the organic feel of celluloid, making it an essential visual upgrade for enthusiasts and casual viewers alike.

The DTS-HD MA 7.1 surround mix on the Blu-ray release of "West Side Story" is generally outstanding, showcasing a vibrant and immersive audio experience. Notable for its exceptional dynamic range and fidelity, the audio presentation breathes new life into the classic Sondheim/Bernstein score. The vocals and instruments are perfectly positioned within the surround sound field, enhancing the exuberance of musical numbers and ensuring clarity. Bass frequencies provide the necessary oomph for dance routines, while the orchestra soars during pivotal duets such as the 'Tonight' sequence. Unlike previous releases, synchronizing issues have been rectified, ensuring a seamless auditory experience. Dialogue clarity is impressive, with the front soundstage effectively managing discrete voices, especially notable during group scenes involving gang members.

However, it's worth noting that some audiophiles have expressed disappointment regarding certain choices made for this Blu-ray release. Specifically, the utilization of the original six-track mag masters, which were recently discovered and restored, was forgone in favor of more cost-effective four-track masters. This decision led to some missed opportunities in sound presentation, particularly noticeable in elements like the iconic opening whistles not achieving their full directional potential.

Despite these critiques, the repurposing of the 7.1 mix is largely artful. The track maintains sterling fidelity and avoids any age-related imperfections such as hiss or pops. The iconic 'Tonight Quintet' benefits from excellent dynamic range and clear delineation of vocal lines, allowing for an appreciation of its musical complexity while preserving lyric comprehensibility. Surround activity, particularly during musical numbers, immerses listeners deeply into the narrative, providing a cohesive aural environment that elevates the overall viewing experience. Audiophiles and casual listeners alike are likely to find this audio presentation satisfying and worthy of this beloved classic.

The Blu-ray extras for "West Side Story" provide a comprehensive and insightful look into the film’s production and lasting impact. The standout feature is "West Side Memories," a thorough 56-minute documentary with behind-the-scenes anecdotes from key contributors, including Robert Wise and Rita Moreno. Dance sequences and musical pieces can be revisited through the "Music Machine" feature, offering seamless access to all the iconic numbers. Stephen Sondheim’s song-specific commentary dives deep into the lyrical intricacies, providing self-reflective insights. Additionally, "A Place for Us: West Side Story's Legacy" examines the film's cultural resonance, featuring testimonials from cast members and industry icons. The inclusion of trailers and a storyboard-to-film comparison enhances the understanding of the film’s creative process.

Extras included in this disc:

• Pow! The Dances of 'West Side Story': Analysis of dance sequences by industry experts.
• Song Specific Commentary by Stephen Sondheim: In-depth commentary on the film's lyrics.
• Music Machine: Jukebox of all film’s musical sequences.
• A Place for Us: 'West Side Story' s Legacy: Retrospective on the film's cultural impact.
• West Side Memories: Documentary featuring interviews and rare footage.
• Storyboard to Film Comparison Montage: Visual comparison set to instrumental music.
• Trailers: Collection of theatrical trailers showing color and quality restoration.

The Blu-ray release of the multi-Oscar winning 'West Side Story' features an exceptional 1080p AVC/MPEG-4 transfer in a widescreen 2.20:1 aspect ratio. Digitally restored, the visuals are marked by strong, saturated colors and healthy contrast levels, all of which enhance this cinematic classic. Although minor issues exist, the video quality remains impressive, with breathtaking scenes such as the opening aerial shots of Manhattan, showcasing the film's tale of urban tension and youthful exuberance. The DTS-HD MA 7.1 surround audio further enriches the experience, providing an enveloping soundscape that brings Leonard Bernstein's iconic score to life, effectively situating voices and musical elements.

The film’s distinct blend of choreography, music, and editing remains groundbreaking. Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, the movie deftly translates the stage musical's majesty to the screen, utilizing New York City as an essential character. Robbins' choreography stands out for its athletic grace, especially in the meticulously crafted Prologue and the electrifying "Cool" sequence. Bernstein's music, featuring unforgettable songs like "Maria" and "Tonight," underpins every moment, while standout performances from Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer ground the film’s emotional core. The supporting cast, including Oscar-winners Rita Moreno and George Chakiris, adds further depth with compelling portrayals.

'West Side Story' is not just a film but a message-laden musical that continues to resonate. Its exploration of love, prejudice, and violence between rival gangs amid the concrete jungle of New York is both timeless and potent. Ernest Lehman's adaptation of Arthur Laurents' book dynamically rearranges song placements from the stage version, ensuring a seamless cinematic flow. The meticulous production design by Boris Leven and Saul Bass’s innovative titles contribute to the film’s enduring allure. This Blu-ray edition is an essential acquisition for enthusiasts, preserving the film’s vitality for contemporary audiences.

Review Summary of "West Side Story" Blu-ray Release

The "West Side Story" Blu-ray release offers an exhilarating experience, despite a few technical hiccups that may concern purists. From the very start, the video presentation showcases vibrant colors, impressive detail, and remarkable clarity that breathe new life into this classic. However, a minor downside includes early compression artifacts that might distract discerning viewers but largely dissipate as the film progresses. Audio-wise, while the soundtrack is sourced from four-track mags instead of six, it still delivers an immersive auditory experience. Notably, the synchronization of the iconic "Tonight" number is handled proficiently, though some might find the misaligned whistles slightly irksome.

This release is further enhanced by well-curated supplementary features that add significant value and context for both new audiences and long-time fans. The impactful performances and timeless choreography continue to resonate, preserving the raw emotions and powerful social commentary on prejudice and violence that made the original so influential. The direction remains captivatingly fresh, maintaining its vitality and relevance half a century after its debut.

Conclusion Is this a perfect West Side Story? No. There are troubling, if overall minor, issues with both the video and audio presentations. Should that keep collectors from wanting this release? The internet hubbub has already caught Fox's attention and it seems likely now that at the very least the Overture debacle will be quickly handled. The compression artifacts are another issue, but the good news is for the most part they're over with after the first few minutes of the film. The misplaced whistles will probably bother those with long memories the most, and those are at least partially offset by finally having Tonight in synch. In my personal opinion, this really isn't a glass half full, glass half empty debate. The pluses of this release far outweigh the troubling minuses. The color, detail and clarity of this presentation are for the most part amazing, and the soundtrack, even sourced from four track mags instead of six, sounds wonderful. This set comes with some decent supplements as well. Some may want to wait until Fox officially announces an exchange program, but taken as a whole (and with the caveats mentioned above, which may affect any individual's response to the release), West Side Story comes Highly recommended.