Oscars 2022: Every Best Picture Nominee Ranked
6. West Side Story
Watching West Side Story, it might be hard to believe it's the great Steven Spielberg's first musical movie. Then again, it being Spielberg, it's easy to understand how he pulled off such a remarkable feat of cinematic excellence.
The most purely enjoyable and wholesome movie of this year's nominees, West Side Story takes what made its 1961 inspiration great - the infectious songs, easy charm, vivid characters, and romance - and dials it all up to eleven.
There are some issues scattered about here and there, including Ansel Elgort (controversy aside), who doesn't feel quite involved as pitch perfect co-stars Rachel Zegler and Arianna DeBose, but these brief flaws are nothing to take away from the majestic vision Spielberg breathes onto the screen.
As a remake it's not exactly original, which lets it down compared to its more daring competitors, but even so West Side Story is sure to endure as yet another classic for Spielberg's CV.