lesleytee
The Get Down is one of the most entertaining yet educational TV shows that are out today. Watching this TV show will teach you a lot about New York in 1970s and the development of popular black dominated music genres such as rap and hip-hop. Baz Luhrmann was able to combine, graffiti/street art, rap music, vogue dancing and the disco movement with the popularity of drugs, growth of gangs and poverty to create one fully comprehensive experience that makes you appreciate New York. One of the best aspects of the show is the realism that the actors bring to the screen. For example, the main character Ezekiel Figuero played by Justice Smith, a bright minded young man from the Bronx shows his ambition to better his life financially and socially by using the tools of his environment. Ezekiel is successfully able to fully utilise his mind and his talent to get to where he wants to be. Without telling too much about the plot, The Get Down has made me appreciate the music on my playlist. Thank you Netflix!
georgke-89175
This show has been a revelation for me the past year, they have been the best six and a half hour of TV for me in a long time. I feel it did not get that much attention because I heard no one talking about it in my friend group or online. First this show is about music, and good one at that. The tracklist is outstanding and the originals created for the show are equally impressive, the blend of disco and hip-hop works so well on so many levels. I love how the whole relation between Zeke and Mylene revolves around music as well. First the 'Pakkousa' and later on Mylene's song. It feels all very natural and sincere. In the words of Grand Master Flash 'It's the music Grasshopper, that burning fire beating within your hart'. Furthermore I want a quick shout out to 'Cadillac', his dancing was insane, I really hope to see more of him later on. Second this story has good writing and some great characters to accompany it. Jackie Moreno is exactly how I imagined a producer active in that scene back in the day. The scene between dj Malibu, Shaolin and Zeke is one of the funniest scenes ever. I also like the fact that they have included historical events into the story like the 'Night that the lights went out in NYC'. It really helps progress the story in a natural way. Visually the show is very impressive as well. I love how they managed to make it such a colourful display despite the fact that New York was pretty grim back then. If you have any affiliation with music I really recommend watching this show, you won't regret it.
Apocs
The series capture you with individual doses of: musically revolutions, political turmoil, a part of New York almost turned to nothing but rubble during the worst depression since the 1920. And the people, oh, yes beautiful portraits of people with and without jobs, belief in a future, hope, talent and sense of community. The music just blows you away, regardless of age or if you were there, or in any other part of the world, ties the whole series together. Those who in the 1970's were in school, young adult or adult ( adulthood, that's a matter of opinion if you not are an statistical "¤#%/"%¤, that is ) will have shivers going up and down their spines by the series creators masterful way to light up your own "rearwiev mirror". And the young of today will have a brutal lesson in the fact that history isn't just a dull subject in school, it's about people that lived a while back, with the same dreams, struggles, different opinions, not at least when it comes to music, that them selves are going thru right now and themselves will be history in a few years, talking to their kids and get the reply : You do not understand how it is today....... So turn of you smartphones, iPad's and/or PC's..... collect the entire family in the sofa... and love every minute of the show together. The only ones who can have any negative to say about this series after that are the shrinks who suddenly will loose 95% of the "parents/kids", "Nothing changes" , "It was better back in the days" clients......
NileFortnerBoogieBuddha954
GET OUT YOUR TURNTABLES AND GROOVE WITH NETFLIX'S NEW HIT SERIES 'THE GET DOWN'!'The Get Down' Season 1 is Dyn-o-mite!Netflix's new original series The Get Down, documents the rise of hip- hop and the downfall of disco music in a hardcore, 1970s chaotic New York. The show was created by 2013 The Great Gatsby director Baz Luhrmann. The first episode is a 90-minute pilot that takes a while for things to get moving. We are slowly introduced to characters, the setting, and a large love letter to the 1970s era. Think West Side Story meets Poetic Justice and the movie Hustle & Flow. The pilot may take a while to really get into. However, all the following episodes are really good.When I first saw the trailer to The Get Down, I wasn't sure what to think. An Australian director creating and unfolding a story about old school hip-hop doesn't really come to mind at first. On the other hand, he has created a very good story. The first episode really does feel like a love letter to the 1970s. Meaning, the first episode is loaded with 1970s nostalgia. Such as, blaxploitation films, music, kung fu films, Star Wars, afros, wardrobe, television shows, and slang. I personally enjoyed all the nostalgia, because even though I didn't live through this period, I am a fan and respect a majority of things from this era. Nostalgia is great, especially in shows or movies like this one. But, I believe all the reminiscing kept getting in the way of the story of the first episode. Also, if you are someone who isn't a fan of this type of music genre, fan of this era, or you simply don't know that much about it. I find that this series will be hard for you to fully enjoy.The main stories in The Get Down revolve around Shaolin Fantastic, played by Shameik Moore (Dope), the mysterious graffiti artist turned wannabe DJ, who catches the attention of Ezekiel Figuero, played by Justice Smith (Paper Towns) and his circle of young friends (including Jaden Smith, who gets his own guest-starring credit).Ezekiel is a successful rapper telling his Bronx tale to a stadium full of fans. He is portrayed, by Daveed Diggs who here raps to lyrics by iconic rapper Nas, who is one of the numerous producers on this series.The series is set in 1977, Ezekiel, played by Justice Smith is just a good kid who takes to poetry/rap lyrics after his parents are killed and he's being raised by his aunt. Mostly, he's desperately in love with Mylene, played by Herizen Guardiola (Runaway Island), a beautiful young girl with an amazing voice who has dreams of being the next Donna Summers, except that she's stuck singing in the choir at the church run by her repressive father, played by Giancarlo Esposito.Ezekiel and Shaolin Fantastic (called Shao) become friends. They want to work together as MC and DJ, respectively, Shaolin Fantastic becomes an altar of Grandmaster Flash, played by Mamoudou Athie. For those who may or may not know, Grandmaster Flash is the real life legendary turntablist who would be essential in kicking off hip-hop culture and rap with the Furious Five. And yes, the real-life Grandmaster Flash is another producer on the series (as is Kurtis Blow and hip-hop historian and writer Nelson George). As these friends bond, they come across broken hearts, gangsters, drug dealers, crime, and the chaotic city.WHEN I SAY, "GET" YOU, SAY "DOWN"! "GET!"…Accordingly, the series features more than just a great score, filled with throwback classics. It has drama, comedy, interesting characters, and they really capture the look in feel of the '70s. My biggest issue with the show is that they could have had a couple of more episodes. There doesn't really feel like there is a mid season finale that keeps you invested. Also, some scenes and lines of dialogue are being delivered and are very emotional, but they kind of take away from the scene when the smoother it with the music. The show may have a slow start, and doesn't really feel like there is a mid season finale. But, the show does a great job with handling all these characters in such a little amount of time. For instance, in episode 5, Ezekiel and his young crew invent a new art form. In episode 6, we get some great originality, and the show just gets better and better. So these are final Bitchin' Buddha thoughts on the original Netflix series The Get Down. The show started out messy, but with a little bit of time it became a masterpiece! Even if you are not a fan of this type of music and era, I'd give it a chance. It has great drama, music, comedy, and feels like an awesome movie, even though it's a series. As Gil Scott Heron once said, "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". But I'm sure happy that The Get Down is. I believe The Get Down earns a…9/10!This review is brought to you by Boogie Buddha, and remember, don't just get down, but get Boogie. Thank you all for reading, and or viewing. I hope you all have an amazing day as always. Until next time, I'll catch you kids on the flip side. :)
