Get Down or Let Down?

If you're at ALL familiar with the Hip-Hop culture OR streaming giant Netflix, then you've already been indoctrinated with ads, commercials, trailers and discussion of 'The Get Down.' Headed by Baz Luhrmann, whose most famous projects are Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet, and The Great Gatsby, The Get Down is seemingly billed as a love letter to Hip-Hop's humble beginnings in the Boogie Down Bronx. Green-lighting the project are Hip-Hop legend Grandmaster Flash & ambassador/emcee Nasir Jones as consultant/contributors. The cast offers up a collection of silver and small screen veterans such as Zabryna Guevara, Eric Bogosian, Giancarlo Esposito and Kevin Corrigan. The focus however, is on the young talent. While Jaden Smith (Dizzy) might be the most well known, the weight of the series has been placed on the shoulders of the serie’s storyteller, relative newcomer Justice Smith (Ezekiel). The only two primary characters with real experience are Tyler Perry product Shamiek Moore (Shaolin) and Skylan Brooks (Ra-Ra), who has a host of TV shows and film credits.

I'm in a Pros and Cons mood, so lets just play GET DOWN or LET DOWN shall we?

GET DOWN: Setting The Table
While I've never experienced the Bronx in 1977, The Get Down does an excellent job of recreating the era in which I grew up. Clothing, footage and props take me back to my pre-teen summers, but the hook is the soundtrack. A mixture of funk, soul, disco along with original type stylings of what was about to become hip-hop tickle your ears with every narration, around each street corner and in the background of most conversations. Being a product of this environment, this alone is enough for me to enjoy the series as a simple pleasure.

LET DOWN: Episode 1
While the table is set nicely, The Get Down nearly burns the food coming out the gate. A six episode series (Part 1) is ushered in with a 90 minute movie that had me checking the time before the first hour. While it was enjoyable, it FELT long and convoluted. The episode tries to establish EVERY subplot, while pulling the viewer in more directions than necessary. I felt like The Get Down wanted to be GLEE, Beat Street and The Warriors all rolled into one with Blaxploitation Sprinkles. It wasn't horrible, but it sure wasn't good. An 8-10 episode Part 1 would have been a better fit. The series ends great, but you have to get through the beginning.

GET DOWN: The Diva
As stated earlier, the battle tested adult cast delivers, but the show rests squarely on the shoulders of narrator Books whom we meet as Ezekiel/Zeke played by newcomer Justice Smith. Justice is "bookended" by young breakouts Skylan Brooks and Shamiek Moore, each who have clocked more screen time that all the other young actors combined. Zeke is on the path from boy to man and it is the scent of a woman that influences him. That young woman is Mylene portrayed by Herizen Guardiola. Hired likely for her voice as much as her chops, Guardiola's Mylene is a force of nature that refuses to settle for the life around her and communicates that message to all she comes in contact with. Her profound effect on the other characters as well as young female viewers is a thing of beauty and hope. She DOES sing in the series. I don't know how much is produced, but so far it's satisfactory. I am an ole disco and house music head, so I may be partial.


LET DOWN: The Other Smith
It's still unclear if Justice Smith will be able to utilize The Get Down as a springboard to bigger and better things. What IS clear is that Jaden Smith is STILL trying. To be fair, I actually DON'T hate Jaden. I don't even hate his possible lack of talent. I just don't know if he has any. Every character I've seen him play is unassuming and confused looking. To his credit, I'm sure there's a niche market for this as is everything else. Jaden's character Dizzy also has an interesting story arc, similar to his father's from 1993. I'm sure it will garner plenty of press, but the only thing that matters is can he be good. That question is has been ongoing for some time.


GET DOWN: Diversity
Welcome to the Bronx, where the population is majority 50+% Black and Latino diaspora of all shades. Representation matters and The Get Down knows it. From clubs, to bodegas, barbershops, to churches, the diversity of the Bronx is proudly on display. Cuban, Puerto Rican, African, Jamaican, American Blacks and others populate The Get Down set. With the white and light washing of much of American History, it's refreshing that to see Latinos take a prominent role, especially in urban musicals where they're often regulated as dance sidekicks to melanin deficient leads.


LET DOWN: Part 1?
What's new got old really quickly to the tune of $120M. A cast of barely millenials that required training in each Hip-Hop discipline as well as the 70s. A director who had NO experience in with the culture OR writing, producing and directing small screen series. The indecision that STILL lurks as to whether cut the final episode count will be 12 or 13. The fact that until THAT decision is made there will be no release date, only the projection of 2017. I mentioned earlier that Part 1 settled in and ended VERY well. So well, that instead of a movie, the writing could have been extended to be as many as 10 episodes making time for character development and storytelling.

I wasn't there when the Bronx was burning, but I am prior military, so I view military movies differently. Likewise with people who grew up stomping the boroughs of NY. I'm sure they'll view The Get Down through a different lense. In the end, Part 1 finishes strong, but it's far from a smooth ride. If you're like me, your love for the culture and nostalgia can see you through until the writing, acting and directing begin to gel into a cohesive product  (Episode 4) that explores the essence of Hip-Hop in an almost religious or mystical light. Do it for the culture. You might be glad you did...