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Can’t Wait to See This Beige Version of West Side Story

More like West Side Sepia.

By Jun 17th, 2019, 5:19 pm

Rita Moreno as Anita in West Side Story

I’m sorry, but why is the new picture for West Side Story so … beige? If you recall, West Side Story is a musical about the love of Maria and Tony, torn apart by the rivalry between the Sharks and the Jets and, in the original, the Sharks are filled with color and proud of their Puerto Rican heritage, while the Jets, who are of Polish descent, are more subdued in their clothing.

Steven Spielberg’s take on the story decided to throw everyone into a very boring ad campaign for The Gap and pray that we’d all eat it up.

I think the problem with this version of West Side Story is that we all were under the impression that it was going to be something completely different from what we already have. But, from this picture, it looks like a duller version of the 1961 film. In fact, looking at this picture, the Sharks and the Jets basically just look like kids who don’t like sleeves.

Look, I get it. First images are always the easiest to scrutinize because they’re all we have to look at. That being said, one of the best parts about West Side Story comes from the beautiful colors that Anita wore mixed with “America” and the choreography. We know the film for its vibrancy. This picture? Not so much.

Twitter also didn’t really love the image, because really? Sepia tones and a much-too-tall Ansel Elgort?

Will I see this movie? Yes, of course. I love musicals, but I’ll be bringing my color brightening glasses with me so I can feel like there’s some life to whatever this movie is shaping up to be.

(image: United Artists)

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Rachel Leishman (She/Her) is an Assistant Editor at the Mary Sue. A writer her whole life but professionally starting back in 2016 who loves all things movies, TV, and classic rock. Resident Spider-Man expert, official Leslie Knope, actually Yelena Belova. Wanda Maximoff has never done anything wrong in her life. Star Wars makes her very happy. New York writer with a passion for all things nerdy. Yes, she has a Pedro Pascal podcast. And also a Harrison Ford one.