Steven Spielberg's latest sci-fi original, "Disclosure Day," is currently sitting pretty at the top of the global box office, a testament to his enduring legacy as one of cinema's greatest filmmakers. While the movie has received a solid but not spectacular reception from critics and viewers alike, it's a strong start for a blockbuster. However, what's truly fascinating is the poll conducted by Tom's Guide, where 1,800 film fans were asked to pick the best Spielberg movie. The results were close, with the top three separated by just a single percentage point. What makes this particularly interesting is that one of Spielberg's more recent efforts, "West Side Story," was largely overlooked in the poll and when it arrived in movie theaters in 2021. Personally, I think this is a crime, as the movie is a critical darling with a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an even stronger 93% viewer score. It's a stunning musical that deserves so much more love than it's received over the past five years. What makes this movie so special is Spielberg's ever-excellent direction, which is really saying something. I challenge anybody to watch the gym dance sequence and then tell me this epic musical doesn't represent Spielberg operating on a level of directorial brilliance that few filmmakers can ever hope to match. It's a colorful blur of phenomenal choreography, iconic music, and kinetic energy that comes alive on the screen. In my opinion, the movie is a masterpiece, and its lack of attention has made it Spielberg's most overlooked movie. If you're revisiting Spielberg's filmography in the wake of "Disclosure Day," I strongly encourage you to make some time for "West Side Story" in between "Jurassic Park," "Saving Private Ryan," "Jaws," and the familiar favorites. This musical might never stand shoulder-to-shoulder with his most popular projects, but it's no stain on his career. If anything, because of its lack of attention, it's become Spielberg's most overlooked movie. So, let's dive into the results of the poll and give some love to Spielberg's "West Side Story." The poll quickly became a slugfest between "Saving Private Ryan" and "Schindler's List," both of which are titans in Spielberg's filmography. Most directors would be delighted to have just one of these movies in their filmography, but for Spielberg, they both came in the same decade. And both movies scooped Spielberg a Best Director award at the Oscars. It was "Saving Private Ryan" that won, but by a whisker. However, the biggest crime of this poll, at least in this critic's opinion, was that "West Side Story" found its propping up the list in last place, unable to amass even 50 votes. What many people don't realize is that the movie is a critical darling and has received strong support from viewers. The movie boasts some of Spielberg's most memorizing filmmaking, which is really saying something. If you take a step back and think about it, it's clear that the movie's lack of attention is a result of its competition with other popular Spielberg movies. In my opinion, the movie is a masterpiece, and its lack of attention has made it Spielberg's most overlooked movie. So, let's give some love to Spielberg's "West Side Story" and recognize its brilliance.
