Created by: Baz Luhrmann, Stephen Adly Guirgis.
Starring: Justice Smith, Shameik Moore, Herizen Guardiola, Jaden Smith, Jimmy Smits.
The Get Down is the latest Netflix Original which looks through time at teenagers in 1970's Bronx, New York as the emergence of hip-hop and disco shines through.
Noted as Netflix's most expensive original show, costing 120 million U.S dollars, it's easy to see how. With explosive backdrops, choreography and styling the show is the epitome of high merit. The expensive price tag is brought to justice when you see the cinematography created by longtime Luhrmann collaborator Paul Watters creating eccentric and captivating scenes with natural and authentic undertones.
With a high presence of POC characters and an ethnic mix, the show really stands out as being a staple in the 2016 discussion of diversity on screen. Not only is it applaudable for its use of POC characters but also the new and young faces such as rising stars Justice Smith, Herizen Guardiola and Shameik Moore who put on an outstanding performance with their triple threat acting, rapping and dancing skills in the unique roles they each played.
The roles come thanks to the astonishing writing. The story not only focuses on the rise of hip-hop and disco but also the themes of love, friendship, family, sexuality, cultural and political issues and it does so in a very mature way that doesn't patronise its young audience. The show promotes great character development and a plotline that instantly inhales viewers whilst simultaneously making you feel deeply for each character.
Whilst it's young actor presence can seem like a show for teenagers, The Get Down is far from it. It's a show to be viewed by people of all ages and cultural backgrounds. The Get Down is a millennial staple that teaches a lot more than history with content and themes that are more than relevant in the modern day.
Equal parts raw and comedic, The Get Down is more than just a show, it's an experience. Watch it and you'll get immediately involved in the lives of these teenagers, With each episode feeling more like a short film than a 50 minute episode, it's without doubt a show that needs to be viewed at least once.
