i thought that this movie was really good, but they could have taken out some of the violence and killing... the ending was incomplete... i wish they had added a little bit more... like what happened to maria... the beginning was super, but then for the "ramble" it got a bit violent... but it all depends on how mature the person watching it is and it is majorly the parent's decision if their kid is mature or not...
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West Side Story
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
A masterpiece for families to enjoy together.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 11 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About West Side Story
Parents need to know that this updated Romeo and Juliet story centers on two racially determined gangs. Street fighting and knifings are depicted.
Read our full review by Kate Pluta
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the issues of racism, immigration, gangs, and youth culture. Why was Maria able to look beyond her Puerto Rican heritage to find love when those around her could not. And what about the picture of the American Dream in the minds of the two different groups?
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
amazing movie... but a bit violent...
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Great and Brilliant
We saw this in school, and it was really cool. Really nice, and everyone should see it
Lives in FloridaI rate this title on for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:- Excessive violence
- I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Graph-Sad (the worst mix)
It was great in the begining, but it got so sad and violent I had to force myself to turn it off. For kids at least 14 at least.
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
Amazing
This was an amazing, amazing movie with memorable characters and a wonderful story. It's also very sad I started crying when Tony gets killed and when Maria takes the gun and wants to kill herself. It's beautiful. I highly suggest it for older kids because my little brother started crying really really hard and asked if he was dead (I told him he was just passed out so he wouldn't cry harder). Still an amazing movie though. See it See it See it!!!!!!!
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
Classic
I disagree, I think this movie should not be R. This movie is a classic musical and I think it brings up a lot of good topics. Yes you might have to talk to you child afterwards about parts but that is what it is there for. It is to bring up thoughts and to bring publicity to problems that were happening in the US. I watched this when I was in middle school and liked it and understood it. I do believe that some children might not be ready for it, but it is a classic because it is a good movie and musical.
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
From ballerinas to gangsters...
I don't understand this movie at all. Good dancing , check , catchy tunes , check but they go from dancing ballerinas to knife holding gangsters. We had to watch it in music class and everyones was like " what the heck??!!" This movie took forever to get to the movie, I mean , what's the point of the color changing screen in the beggining for 15 minutes? Not really appropriate... a bit odd.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
GREAT MUSIC!
I LOOOOOOOOVE West Side Story. It was really entertaining and the songs were outstanding! My favorite is probably America. Some of the lyrics to that are really funny like the character Bernardo says, "I think I go back to San Juan," and his girlfriend Anita says, "I know a boat you can get on!" Bernardo: "Uh-huh! Everyone there will give big cheer!" Anita: "Everyone there will have moved here!" I also like the dance at the gym. The dancing is amazing. I think some really emotional people will cry at the end of this movie. If they ever make a re-make, Vanessa Anne Hudgens and Zac Efron should play the leading roles of Maria and Tony.
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
A powerful story
West Side Story is one of the most moving and powerful movies you will ever see. It brings up very important issues about the lines between races and cultures, and what can happen if people think those lines shouldn't be crossed. It really made me think about how horribly people will act if they refuse to accept people from other cultures. I loved this movie, and thought it had very good music, but this is not a good movie for younger children.
- I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it
High Art But Not For Children
We thought we'd let our 9 and 6 year olds see this one... Boy what a mistake! The violence is visceral, there's a great deal of hate language to explain, and at the end of the day, a musical in this context is hard to explain... Like, why are they singing and dancing when they're killing and beating each other up? A pretty good bet for a high school junior or senior, when prefaced with the proper sociological background. But no matter how good the movie is (and it's one of the best ever) it is definitely NOT suitable for children 16 or under.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Great for conversation on social issues
West Side Story is another classic, along the lines of To Kill a Mockingbird, except with some fantastic singing and dancing. The social message is the whole point of the movie; it is a modern day Romeo and Juliet, where the boy and girl, due to their social backgrounds, are NOT supposed to be together but fall in love anyway. There is a lot of stuff about race, gangs, etc. that is still relevant over 40 years later. There are fights and violence and a main character gets killed, so this is not for the littlest ones... save this for your jr. high school and up age kids, unless very mature.
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
Not A Children's Movie
I watched this at school, it is definetely not for those who disapprove of violence or the like. There are a few references to drugs and alcohol, and the Jets are seen smoking a lot. There is a gangster fight, and a girl is almost raped. It's a cruel movie, and shows how brutal people can be.
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