The Get Down

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Aug 12, 2016
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 129 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 104 out of 129
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 129
  3. Negative: 17 out of 129

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User Reviews

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  1. cag345
    Aug 22, 2016
    10
    An excellent serie. Baz Luhrmann created a story with a huge soul. The music and the cast was awesome. I don't have word to describe it, simply I loved it. Highly recommended.
  2. TheZeroPercent
    Aug 23, 2016
    10
    Pretty amazing little piece of cinematography!
    I am sure this show has it's influences, as far as how it is 'put together' , but me personally, I have NEVER seen a 'piece of work' like this. VERY original, and high quality cinema.
  3. erolsabadosh
    Aug 27, 2016
    10
    Wow! I didn't think I would ever really like anything Baz Luhrmann's had a hand in so I was skeptical about this but boy oh boy does it deliver. This has got to be one of THE BEST television shows of all time!!! I seriously cannot say enough positive things about it. As a DJ and a huge fan of old school hip hop and disco this show is absolutely everything I could want. It's so well made inWow! I didn't think I would ever really like anything Baz Luhrmann's had a hand in so I was skeptical about this but boy oh boy does it deliver. This has got to be one of THE BEST television shows of all time!!! I seriously cannot say enough positive things about it. As a DJ and a huge fan of old school hip hop and disco this show is absolutely everything I could want. It's so well made in every aspect; the actors are phenomenal (apart from Jayden Smith who's a little wooden although he's still really likeable imo), the cinematography is stunning, the dialogue is well written with plenty of drama and humour throughout, the music is sublime and the styling is amazing. It's so perfect that after 6 episodes I'm GAGGING for more. If they don't make a second season of this I will be really disappointed. Spending time with these characters in this world is an absolute joy. I don't understand why people keep saying the tone of this show has something wrong with it; NO IT DOESN'T. It's a coming of age adventure set in Brooklyn about a group of kids who get into DJing and MCing, there's music, there's comedy and there's drama, what's so complicated about that? The tone of the show is consistent to me; it's like an old Spike Lee joint stretched into a TV show. I appreciate that not everyone will be into the setting and the focus of the show but denying the fact that every second of this is pure magic on the screen is just foolish, The Get Down is perfection.… Expand
  4. SadLittleKing
    Sep 9, 2016
    9
    This is a great show. It mixes the sort of realism and accuracy you get from Straight out of Comptom but spiced up with fictional characters (one of which is named Shaolin Fantastic), the occasional impossible feat and kung fu sound effects. The main cast is great for the most part but I think it's the supporting characters that really shine. Every so often a character shows up in a sceneThis is a great show. It mixes the sort of realism and accuracy you get from Straight out of Comptom but spiced up with fictional characters (one of which is named Shaolin Fantastic), the occasional impossible feat and kung fu sound effects. The main cast is great for the most part but I think it's the supporting characters that really shine. Every so often a character shows up in a scene who really makes you laugh or really makes you feel for them.

    The one thing I wasn't impressed with was Justice Smith's character Ezekiel. He's good most of the time but sometime his dialog is a bit too elegant other times it's a bit too street. I wish he'd have settled into a happy middle somewhere. The rest of the characters I love. Jaden Smith was born to play his role ( a weirdo somewhat effeminate kid who fancies himself an artist and rebels for the sake of it ). Shaolin Fantastic is an awesome character from start to finish and you really feel for him when things start to fall apart.    … Expand
  5. GroovyG
    Oct 30, 2016
    9
    Displaying a young and refreshing main cast, The Get Down serves an enticing new perspective on the coming of age story. A true ode to those who dare to dream, musicians and non alike can all catch a beat that they can jive to on this honest and well rounded adaptation of the struggle it is to overcome social restraint, challenge social convention and stereotypical limitations governed byDisplaying a young and refreshing main cast, The Get Down serves an enticing new perspective on the coming of age story. A true ode to those who dare to dream, musicians and non alike can all catch a beat that they can jive to on this honest and well rounded adaptation of the struggle it is to overcome social restraint, challenge social convention and stereotypical limitations governed by race, class and ambition.… Expand
  6. Aiace
    Aug 21, 2016
    10
    I don't know what it is about this one. Sure it is cheesy at times, maybe most of the times. I understand the mechanisms that make me enjoy it, and they are not new. And still, they work. I found myself caring about the not so original story and not so original characters and enjoying every bit of it: the acting, the photography and most of all the surreal and yet convincing evocation ofI don't know what it is about this one. Sure it is cheesy at times, maybe most of the times. I understand the mechanisms that make me enjoy it, and they are not new. And still, they work. I found myself caring about the not so original story and not so original characters and enjoying every bit of it: the acting, the photography and most of all the surreal and yet convincing evocation of the Bronx in the late 70s. Just as a fable it follows well known tropes (follow your dreams and you will succeed) and shows well known characters (the rebel, the dreamer, the gangster, the strict father). And yet, just as a fable, it never feels old or stale. Loved every minute.… Expand
  7. Bezlonir
    Aug 13, 2016
    10
    It's poetry. This show is joyous. It makes you weep. It makes your heart race. It dazzles you. It makes you think. It puts you on a waltz through the history of hip hop with a soundtrack that stretches out like the wings of a black eagle taking flight. I am enjoying this show so much.
  8. akabuttons
    Aug 14, 2016
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. What a love letter to the Bronx and the origins of Hip-Hop culture - dj-ing, rapping, graffiti, and break dancing! The poetry is appropriate and beautiful, the principal characters well drawn, and the plot celebrates the talent, humanity, contradictions, intelligence, drive, ingenuity and swagger of urban black and brown youth. I love how complex the principle characters are, and how brilliantly portrayed by the cast. The Luhrmann-isms, a few one-dimensional co-stars and a number of predictable plot events aside (I mean, didn't you know they would get together in Moulin Rouge, but watched anyway?), these 6 episodes do a good job of exploring the myriad perspectives during this time - every one making important contributions to the plot - each naturally colliding into the other to provide some top rate (and clear) dramatic tension you can hang your attention hat on. Spoiler: The blackout episode - particularly the scenes between Smits and Zabryna's characters? Magnifique.… Expand
  9. roscoeswaffle
    Aug 16, 2016
    9
    Makes nearly everything else currently on TV look slow and unambitious.

    After bingeing on TGD (rated 69 here at M), I walked up to the Arclight and saw Hell or High Water (86 here at M). Wow. Talk about slow and unambitious. Yes, TGD has its maudlin patches and its hackneyed plot turns etc., but it goes for broke, and how often do you have a chance to witness going for broke, one    Makes nearly everything else currently on TV look slow and unambitious.

    After bingeing on TGD (rated 69 here at M), I walked up to the Arclight and saw Hell or High Water (86 here at M). Wow. Talk about slow and unambitious.

    Yes, TGD has its maudlin patches and its hackneyed plot turns etc., but it goes for broke, and how often do you have a chance to witness going for broke, one minute to the next, and it all culminating in success, even if flawed success? It's a privilege.

    If you want to play it safe instead, stick with the 86 score and an epitome of by-the-numbers filmmaking, Hell or High Water.    … Expand
  10. live4tantra
    Aug 21, 2016
    10
    Purely artistic. Creative genius. Thank you for bringing quality back to television. Its not about reality, its about imagination and inspiration. Awesome cast. Really hot babes! Life was real before technology damnation. Thanks for bringing back some great memories.
  11. bortax_zeven
    Aug 14, 2016
    1
    There aren't enough words to explain this disaster. Every other line is a cliche. The actors all speak like they just graduated Julliard. There is nothing about The Get Down that actually resembles NYC in 77. The stock footage of NYC at that time is spliced in obviously and clunky. The choppy zoom and pan camera and editing is nauseating. The sets look like a television commercial All plotThere aren't enough words to explain this disaster. Every other line is a cliche. The actors all speak like they just graduated Julliard. There is nothing about The Get Down that actually resembles NYC in 77. The stock footage of NYC at that time is spliced in obviously and clunky. The choppy zoom and pan camera and editing is nauseating. The sets look like a television commercial All plot threads are old and done: girl who wants to make it has overbearing controlling father: haven't seen that before. This is a white persons twee fantasy about the origins of hip hop. It's an endless cringe fest. It can't figure out if it's slapstick, heartache teenage romance or coming of age story. Baz Lurhmann is the worst hack to ever ruin a story. The writing is terrible. It's an unbelievable fail in every shape and form.… Expand
  12. SooprCritikal
    Aug 14, 2016
    9
    This series really delivers. It is the story of the rise of Hip Hop culture starting in 1977 Bronx NY. It commingles graffiti and break with Disco and weaves it all together with the political and social issues of the day. Some of the scenes fade in from authentic era footage which really gives the viewer a feel for what was happening at the time. A very nice, and appropriately cleverThis series really delivers. It is the story of the rise of Hip Hop culture starting in 1977 Bronx NY. It commingles graffiti and break with Disco and weaves it all together with the political and social issues of the day. Some of the scenes fade in from authentic era footage which really gives the viewer a feel for what was happening at the time. A very nice, and appropriately clever touch, is how the soundtrack is mixed as the scenes change. It combines Latino, Gospel, Disco, Funk and of course, Hip Hop and even makes reference to Punk. The characters are very well defined and there are subtle suggestions as to how the character may develop. Big potential for further seasons. Definitely worth watching.
    P.S. Easter Egg alert !    … Expand
  13. VonSeux
    Aug 24, 2016
    3
    If I hear the word "grandmaster" one more time I think I'll vomit. The production value of this series makes The Fresh Prince of Bel Air looks like an Scorsese movie. The original music here is embarrassing.
  14. jckgwrnsk
    Aug 12, 2016
    9
    extremely enjoyable. being a huge fan of hip hop myself, i was excited for this, and it totally delivered. happpy with it...........................
  15. IAC
    Aug 29, 2016
    8
    This series does exactly what it sets out to do, and does so with flair. Intentionally theatric, addressing gritty issues without wallowing in them, The Get Down is about brotherhood more than anything else; more than hip hop, disco, love, or any other number of things it features. It takes the kitsch of disco and has fun with it. It takes the energy of hip hop and riffs on it. ItThis series does exactly what it sets out to do, and does so with flair. Intentionally theatric, addressing gritty issues without wallowing in them, The Get Down is about brotherhood more than anything else; more than hip hop, disco, love, or any other number of things it features. It takes the kitsch of disco and has fun with it. It takes the energy of hip hop and riffs on it. It keeps the tragedy of the Bronx in the 1970's ever-present, but doesn't get maudlin with it - at least not unintentionally. Like I said, it's definitely a theatric piece which, if that's not your style (and it isn't always mine, even within the show which I genuinely liked), it may feel heavy handed. Personally, I found that every such instance, even when less obvious, still felt intentional, so I was willing to roll with it. I think if you go into this show looking for realism and grit, you're going to be disappointed, but if you go into it looking for something visually different and let it be what it is, you'l have a lot more fun. Has a pop art feel, artistic without being ~artsy~ if you know what I mean.… Expand
  16. kipperbernie
    Sep 8, 2016
    10
    I don't know or care who Baz Luhrmann is, was never a fan of hip hop, and I wasn't prepared to enjoy Jaden Smith (I didn't know it was him until I paid attention to the credits) ... but this is a masterpiece. Maybe its because I was 15 in 1977and so remember disco, punk and this extremely fertile period for music - includi hip hop. I used to go to discos but clearly I missed the hardcoreI don't know or care who Baz Luhrmann is, was never a fan of hip hop, and I wasn't prepared to enjoy Jaden Smith (I didn't know it was him until I paid attention to the credits) ... but this is a masterpiece. Maybe its because I was 15 in 1977and so remember disco, punk and this extremely fertile period for music - includi hip hop. I used to go to discos but clearly I missed the hardcore scene - this is a 2nd chance. Every so often the show delivers a powerful jolt of deja vu that makes me happy ("jelly shoes!"). Thank you for this. How amazing to see the genius of the creators to think to capture such icons of this age in random moments. And I'm finding it intensely interesting to see how hip hop emerged, and have a new respect and like for that art form, and its connection to graffiti. The music is fantastic, the characters are 3-D and I feel for them. Thank you Netflix.… Expand
  17. sawthesign
    Oct 25, 2017
    10
    A fantastical show with heart that was cancelled far too soon. It had a story it wanted desperately to tell, with a cast full of young, bright actors with even brighter futures ahead of them. It was artistic, quirky at times, real and dreamlike all at once. Truly a mistake of Netflix to let it go.

Awards & Rankings

89
#89 Best TV Season of 2016
74
#74 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016
83
#83 Most Shared TV Season of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Emily Nussbaum
    Aug 16, 2016
    50
    The pilot (the one episode directed by Luhrmann) is truly terrible. It’s baggy and self-indulgent, alternately confusing and obvious. The next three episodes aren’t great, either, though they have flashes of interest. ... Then, suddenly, there’s a legitimately fun eureka sequence in Episode 5, as Ezekiel and his young crew invent a new art form. In Episode 6, we get, finally, what feels like a fully original series.
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  2. Reason.com
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    Aug 13, 2016
    40
    "Bloated," "derivative," and "self-important" all seem fair, as does "scandalously overpriced." If producer-director Baz Luhrmann really, as has been reported, spent $120 million and 10 years to develop this thing, Netflix's accountants should be taken out and shot, and I don't mean with a camera.
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  3. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Brian P. Kelly
    Aug 12, 2016
    70
    The show is so infectiously fun—in its up-tempo numbers, production design (all high-waisted, polyester pants and vinyl-topped cars) and the historical characters who pop up (from DJ Kool Herc to Ed Koch)--that it rises above its shortcomings. Add to this the shining performances of Ms. Guardiola, Mr. Moore and Mr. Smith and it’s hard not to be charmed.
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