The precise pronunciation of the words is much better than the 1961 film recording. For years there were lines I couldn't make out at all - now I can hear (and see) what those words are. Excellent delivery of each line of the song. Each singer delivers her or his line as if it is of utmost importance, and that's exactly right.
I know the original lyrics by heart, and am pretty sure they have changed all or most of the beginning. Puerto Rico, my heart's devotion Let it sink back in the ocean Always the hurricanes nloxing And the money owing And the sunlight streaming And the natives steaming.... (saw it 4 times on stage, and the film about 6 times...) Jerome Robbins is my hero : he changed modern ballet for ever ❤️
@@dianeadam4926 Yes, they most definitely changed the beginning part. After all these years, I can still hear Rita Moreno's voice in my head, singing, "Puerto Rico, my heart's devotion, let it sink back in the ocean."
If you couldn’t understand the words of the vastly superior original, you probably need hearing aids. I’m 71 and have absolutely no problem understanding the words.
I know, it's a small moment, but the protesting people singing "lots of door's slamming in our face!" was such a great artistic and emotional decision, that I still get chills just hearing it. that is a perfect example of brilliant this movie is!
I saw this at Disney's El Capitan in December 2021, and I can tell you the entire audience burst into applause after this number. There's no way Ariana de Bose doesn't win an Academy Award for this.
Ariana absolutely killed it as Anita I’m this movie xx I’m not normally one for remakes of movies but Spielberg did a fantastic job with this movie and everyone treat the source material with the respect it deserved xxx
I just saw the movie again tonight in the AMC theater... 🎥 I prefer to see & hear it on the BIG screen! The entire dance scene in the gym & this song "America" are my 2 favorite scenes in the movie!!! 💃💃💃
That’s what I loved about this interpretation. Especially with the American politics over the last few years, I feel like the racial divides are (sadly) still very relevant. Steven Spielberg said that he thinks that the racial divides are possibly even more prevalent for the Latino community than they were in 1961 and that’s what makes this film in this era so powerful still. A lot was done right to get the audience to reflect on themselves during this film.
The greatest of any musical play, and the most honored of any American film musical have fallen into the dynamic hands of the most outstanding motion picture director of the past fifty years. The result is a film of such brilliance that, like its 1961 predecessor, it should sweep this year's Oscars, properly bookending it so that sixty years later, master director Steven Spielberg and living legend Rita Moreno, together with an extraordinary culturally diverse and supremely talented cast, accompanied by the most accomplished group of technicians (every frame of this movie shows its mastery behind the camera--cinematography, editing, art direction, costume design, sound recording, make-up and hair, and a thrilling script by Pulitzer laureate Tony Kushner) should collectively rise to the AMPAS stage, properly collecting the first Best Picture winner, that is indeed a "re-imaging" of another Best Picture winner. No other film competing this year has anywhere near "West Side Story"'s pedigree, even having had the blessing of the last surviving of the original creators, Stephen Sondheim, whose incomparable lyrics, in this time of such paralyzing divisiveness, will likely be quoted by director Spielberg and co-executive producer Ms. Moreno, when they entreaty all who are witnessing the Academy ceremony to: "find a way of forgiving," and "find a new way of living." Such an acceptance speech--like this film--would be one for the ages. The anemic competition, liked by esoteric art house critics and by almost nobody else, is embarrassing by comparison. Director Spielberg's "West Side Story" should be accorded its Best Picture Oscar by acclamation. The film will endure and be newly discussed far beyond this time, whereas most of the films competing this year will be kicked to the curb of the forgotten once award's season has ended.
Changes in lyrics are nothing new. Let us remember that "America" was completely re-worked for the 1961 film. The original 1957 lyrics for the Broadway show were much more visceral and negative about Puerto Rico. Remember that it was Rosalia singing about the virtues of the island, and Anita countering with her praise for the modernity of the States and the ills of Puerto Rico. Two women, with completely differing views. Rosalia: "Puerto Rico, you lovely island. Island of tropical breezes. Always the pineapples growing. Always the coffee blossoms blowing." Anita: Puerto Rico, you ugly island. Island of tropic diseases. Always the hurricanes blowing. Always the population growing. And the money owing. And the babies crying. And the bullets flying. I like the island Manhattan. Smoke on your pipe and put that in!" Of course, the more commonly known 1961 version pits Anita against Bernardo, and the women versus the men. Gone are great lyrics like, "Immigrant goes to America. Many hellos in America. Nobody knows in America, Puerto Rico is in America." Still relevant in 2022. Replaced by equally relevant lyrics like, "Lots of new housing with more space. Lots of doors slamming in our face. I'll get a terrace apartment. Better get rid of your accent. Life can be bright in America. If you can fight in America. Life is all right in America. If you're all white in America. Still relevant in 2022. In the 2021 version, they opt to go back to the original 1957 lyrics to start the song, but they delete all that striking point, counterpoint of the opening and replace it with an insipid lyric like, "And the people trying." What does that even MEAN? Why water down "And the bullets flying" with something so lame? As if bullets didn't fly then, or now for that matter. And that's what bugs me about this version. So much falderal about using 'REAL Latinos' and being 'socially accurate' (because we're so grown up as a civilization now that we can handle those things). But they water down the negative aspects of living in Puerto Rico in the '50's (because we're children that need protecting from ugly truths). Well, which is it?
The original lyricist of this song actually changed one lyric of “America” for the new West Side Story movie. He replaced the line “and the bullets flying” with the much more respectful “and the people trying”.
Lyrics have changed to such an extent that you wonder why the protagonists put up with all the racism. One of the few negative things from the original lyrics is that the country is in debt ‘money owing’. They even softened references to the environmental factors like ‘hurricane blowing’. I’m all for removing offensive lyrics - but maybe a bit of balance ?
They actually based the 2021 movie on the original 1957 Broadway version instead of the 1961 movie adaptation. The song order is the same as and backstory is more prevalent in the 1957 story. But I would love to hear what parts you think were lost from this version of America because I love different interpretations :)
@@idaf3028 from west side story official page... West Side Story is truly everywhere -- and with its themes of love striving to rise above hatred; the fear of immigrants; and the toxicity of racism, West Side Story speaks to us today as urgently as ever.... but As I said at the beginning it is more politically correct, but I do not like it, it is my personal opinion. And if someone doesn't like it, it's their problem and they should live with it.
@@rogelioarzamemdia4410 right back at you. You're responding to me saying that the line "idk what's thicker, your accent or your scull" wouldn't fit in the context of this movie. the point is Anita doesn't want to go back to Puerto Rico and Bernardo is the opposite. Ariana DeBose and David Alvarez to an excellent job displaying that the whole film. the lyrics at the beggigning just make her explaining Puerto Rico more respectfully instead of "let it sink back in the ocean" or "you ugly island"
The precise pronunciation of the words is much better than the 1961 film recording. For years there were lines I couldn't make out at all - now I can hear (and see) what those words are. Excellent delivery of each line of the song. Each singer delivers her or his line as if it is of utmost importance, and that's exactly right.
Yes!! I noticed that too! I never knew what the original lyrics were!!!
I know the original lyrics by heart, and am pretty sure they have changed all or most of the beginning.
Puerto Rico, my heart's devotion
Let it sink back in the ocean
Always the hurricanes nloxing
And the money owing
And the sunlight streaming
And the natives steaming....
(saw it 4 times on stage, and the film about 6 times...)
Jerome Robbins is my hero : he changed modern ballet for ever ❤️
Read " hurricanes blowing"
(sorry)
@@dianeadam4926 Yes, they most definitely changed the beginning part. After all these years, I can still hear Rita Moreno's voice in my head, singing, "Puerto Rico, my heart's devotion, let it sink back in the ocean."
If you couldn’t understand the words of the vastly superior original, you probably need hearing aids. I’m 71 and have absolutely no problem understanding the words.
I know, it's a small moment, but the protesting people singing "lots of door's slamming in our face!" was such a great artistic and emotional decision, that I still get chills just hearing it. that is a perfect example of brilliant this movie is!
Finally Hispanic’s playing Hispanics.
Lmao😂
I saw this at Disney's El Capitan in December 2021, and I can tell you the entire audience burst into applause after this number. There's no way Ariana de Bose doesn't win an Academy Award for this.
Hope you're right!
She won’t even be nominated. Film was a massive FLOP!!!
I hope Ariana wins!!! She was suberb!!!! What a talent!!!!
@@royceskepagny6182 she won the golden globes so why wouldn’t she win an Oscar. The box office doesn’t effect the awards
Ariana absolutely killed it as Anita I’m this movie xx I’m not normally one for remakes of movies but Spielberg did a fantastic job with this movie and everyone treat the source material with the respect it deserved xxx
San Juaaaaaaan !
I just saw the movie again tonight in the AMC theater... 🎥 I prefer to see & hear it on the BIG screen! The entire dance scene in the gym & this song "America" are my 2 favorite scenes in the movie!!! 💃💃💃
It's good to see a tall Latina dancing. Most are petiza
What an amazing film - loved it ! Saw the original way back in the 60’s. 2021 version knocks spots off the original …. Wept buckets… 💓❤️
They are AMAZING in the film!
Such a fantastic update of the classic.
"Everything free in America"
LMFAO 😆😆😆🤣🤣🤣
......so....I have west side story to thank, for all those years of explaining, that Puerto Rico, is America.
Great song, and sadly still appropriate in 2021.
That’s what I loved about this interpretation. Especially with the American politics over the last few years, I feel like the racial divides are (sadly) still very relevant. Steven Spielberg said that he thinks that the racial divides are possibly even more prevalent for the Latino community than they were in 1961 and that’s what makes this film in this era so powerful still. A lot was done right to get the audience to reflect on themselves during this film.
I love the lyric changes!
AMAZING FILM
Awesome song!
I'm not a fan of the few changes they did make the lyrics, but I'm incredibly glad there are so few and it is performed so well
This song is is Amazing...No Visuals....But u can feel the energy...
I love that movie.
The greatest of any musical play, and the most honored of any American film musical have fallen into the dynamic hands of the most outstanding motion picture director of the past fifty years.
The result is a film of such brilliance that, like its 1961 predecessor, it should sweep this year's Oscars, properly bookending it so that sixty years later, master director Steven Spielberg and living legend Rita Moreno, together with an extraordinary culturally diverse and supremely talented cast, accompanied by the most accomplished group of technicians (every frame of this movie shows its mastery behind the camera--cinematography, editing, art direction, costume design, sound recording, make-up and hair, and a thrilling script by Pulitzer laureate Tony Kushner) should collectively rise to the AMPAS stage, properly collecting the first Best Picture winner, that is indeed a "re-imaging" of another Best Picture winner.
No other film competing this year has anywhere near "West Side Story"'s pedigree, even having had the blessing of the last surviving of the original creators, Stephen Sondheim, whose incomparable lyrics, in this time of such paralyzing divisiveness, will likely be quoted by director Spielberg and co-executive producer Ms. Moreno, when they entreaty all who are witnessing the Academy ceremony to:
"find a way of forgiving," and "find a new way of living."
Such an acceptance speech--like this film--would be one for the ages. The anemic competition, liked by esoteric art house critics and by almost nobody else, is embarrassing by comparison. Director Spielberg's "West Side Story" should be accorded its Best Picture Oscar by acclamation. The film will endure and be newly discussed far beyond this time, whereas most of the films competing this year will be kicked to the curb of the forgotten once award's season has ended.
What a beautiful tribute--I love it and agree-- :)
Total FLOP!!! Won’t even be nominated. Terrible remake, pure and simple.
@@royceskepagny6182 Time will tell.
@@royceskepagny6182 Bitter.
Sucky musical and a sucky movie musical, its nothing compared to Grease or even Grease 2
You do a boy like that/I have a love from west side story 2021
No lyric was changed without Stephen Sondheim's approval/input. I defer to his inestimable opinion and talent. Copyright law still trumps opinion.
Belo trabalho top
When are they gonna release scenes for the movie
My guess is early February when the film is finally released for streaming services.
They didn't charge as much as I thought they might. And the orchestration is good. Glad they didn't ruin it
Nice to have the words but how come not the dancing? The photo moving back on really doesn't help.
Changes in lyrics are nothing new. Let us remember that "America" was completely re-worked for the 1961 film. The original 1957 lyrics for the Broadway show were much more visceral and negative about Puerto Rico. Remember that it was Rosalia singing about the virtues of the island, and Anita countering with her praise for the modernity of the States and the ills of Puerto Rico. Two women, with completely differing views.
Rosalia: "Puerto Rico, you lovely island. Island of tropical breezes. Always the pineapples growing. Always the coffee blossoms blowing."
Anita: Puerto Rico, you ugly island. Island of tropic diseases. Always the hurricanes blowing. Always the population growing. And the money owing. And the babies crying. And the bullets flying. I like the island Manhattan. Smoke on your pipe and put that in!"
Of course, the more commonly known 1961 version pits Anita against Bernardo, and the women versus the men. Gone are great lyrics like, "Immigrant goes to America. Many hellos in America. Nobody knows in America, Puerto Rico is in America." Still relevant in 2022. Replaced by equally relevant lyrics like, "Lots of new housing with more space. Lots of doors slamming in our face. I'll get a terrace apartment. Better get rid of your accent. Life can be bright in America. If you can fight in America. Life is all right in America. If you're all white in America. Still relevant in 2022.
In the 2021 version, they opt to go back to the original 1957 lyrics to start the song, but they delete all that striking point, counterpoint of the opening and replace it with an insipid lyric like, "And the people trying." What does that even MEAN? Why water down "And the bullets flying" with something so lame? As if bullets didn't fly then, or now for that matter. And that's what bugs me about this version. So much falderal about using 'REAL Latinos' and being 'socially accurate' (because we're so grown up as a civilization now that we can handle those things). But they water down the negative aspects of living in Puerto Rico in the '50's (because we're children that need protecting from ugly truths). Well, which is it?
West Side Story IS YES
i always assumed the Lyrics were " I LIKE THE ISLE OF MANHATTAN " AS A TRANSLATION OF " ISLA DE MANHATTAN".
I also always thought it was "isle of Manhattan".
@@margaritakleinman5701 It was.
@@royceskepagny6182 Thanks, that's what I thought.
I think the singing is a bit to precise, I haven't heard officer Krumke yet, I'm dreading it.
What's the lyrical change?
In the beginning. Search version of 1961. Puerto Rico, my heart devotion, let it sink back in the ocean... And so on.
it's not really a 'change' because its not adapting the 61 film but if you listen to the broadway version its the same lyrics at the beginning.
The original lyricist of this song actually changed one lyric of “America” for the new West Side Story movie. He replaced the line “and the bullets flying” with the much more respectful “and the people trying”.
@@guystudios that’s true that was changed.
Lyrics have changed to such an extent that you wonder why the protagonists put up with all the racism. One of the few negative things from the original lyrics is that the country is in debt ‘money owing’. They even softened references to the environmental factors like ‘hurricane blowing’. I’m all for removing offensive lyrics - but maybe a bit of balance ?
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Noté que, con mucho tino, se modificaron algunos versos de la letra de la canción. La letra original era bastante racista.
these people are all singing and celebrating in honor of myself.
Awful, fantastic rendition, incredible actors and we can't see it live?
Better get rid of your accent! Here it is a real Latino accent for a change!
Sadly it isn't even as good as the original. They tried to make it relevant by doing so they took away from the story.
They actually based the 2021 movie on the original 1957 Broadway version instead of the 1961 movie adaptation. The song order is the same as and backstory is more prevalent in the 1957 story. But I would love to hear what parts you think were lost from this version of America because I love different interpretations :)
the change is more politically correct, the main idea of the theme was lost
would you rather have "puerto rico, you ugly island, isnland of tropic diseases"?
@@idaf3028 Sometimes I don't know which is thicker, your skull or your accent
@@rogelioarzamemdia4410 did you watch the film? the timing and setting of America is different so that line wouldn't fit in with the context.
@@idaf3028 from west side story official page... West Side Story is truly everywhere -- and with its themes of love striving to rise above hatred; the fear of immigrants; and the toxicity of racism, West Side Story speaks to us today as urgently as ever....
but
As I said at the beginning it is more politically correct, but I do not like it, it is my personal opinion. And if someone doesn't like it, it's their problem and they should live with it.
@@rogelioarzamemdia4410 right back at you. You're responding to me saying that the line "idk what's thicker, your accent or your scull" wouldn't fit in the context of this movie.
the point is Anita doesn't want to go back to Puerto Rico and Bernardo is the opposite. Ariana DeBose and David Alvarez to an excellent job displaying that the whole film. the lyrics at the beggigning just make her explaining Puerto Rico more respectfully instead of "let it sink back in the ocean" or "you ugly island"
No
What an amazing film - loved it ! Saw the original way back in the 60’s. 2021 version knocks spots off the original …. Wept buckets… 💓❤️