Reel TV Review: The Get Down Part 2

Editor’s Note: Read Luis’ Part 1 review here

The Get Down was a welcomed surprise from Netflix to fans of hip-hop and took us to a time where the Bronx was burning alive but from the ashes of the condemned building rose a new art form for its youthful residents. Part 2 of The Get Down picks up where Part 1 left off and shows us what the characters are up to in their lives. Mylene is now signed to major label and “The Get Down Brothers” are rocking shows in their own club in the Bronx. However, not everything is all fun and music when real life gets in the way of the characters trying to reach their dreams. This season is full of character development and really pushes the whole cast emotionally. I was excited to see what they would do to follow up a phenomenal Part 1 and I am pleasantly surprised with what we got with this second part.

One of the focuses of this next installment is the struggle that Shaolin Fantastic is facing between being a DJ and working for Fat Annie. In the first episode, he is granted his own club from Fat Annie in which “The Get Down Brothers” can perform in and get their music heard but at the same time there are drugs being dealt all over the place. This adds interesting dynamics that come into play later on where the rest of “The Get Down Brothers” do not want to have any ties to Fat Annie and her gang of drug dealers. This is a great story arch that spans all five episodes and comes to a great conclusion in the last episode.

The Get Down

As far as Mylene and her girls, Yolanda and Regina, they are going through their own growing pains when it comes to becoming stars in the music business. A major obstacle that Mylene has to overcome is her father and his constant oversight on the music and business decisions she makes in her new music career. This causes a lot of problems within the Cruz family due to Mylene wanting to be a global superstar but her father wanting her to focus on the small stage. This plays a great part when it comes to the drama that starts to accumulate towards the end of the season.

The Get Down

The magic that Part 1 of The Get Down brought us on Netflix was seamlessly brought over to Part 2. We received, even more, history of New York City and we got to see more great portrayals of early hip-hop legends. This season also delivered some great musical performances. Unlike Part 1, where “The Get Down Brothers” are still trying to find themselves and their style, in this part they are completely comfortable with their performances and we see them tear up the stage in multiple occasions. This can also be said for Mylene and her friends as their musical performances throughout the season. She gave us great vocal performances and even very sexy sequences towards the end of the season. This is a show about music and its music is energetic and makes it one of the most unique shows Netflix has to offer.

If I had one gripe with this season it would probably be the way it ended. I am not saying it was a bad ending. Actually, it was very well done but due to this being advertising as only being two parts I feel like I am still left with many questions. Spoiler Alert! Part one started with a performance at Madison Square Garden with an adult Ezekiel ‘Books’ Figuero center stage accompanied by the voice of hip-hop legend, Nas, which had me hooked and wanting to see his journey. As the season went on I wanted to know where him and Mylene stood and what happened to the rest of the guys. I even had a theory that Shaolin Fantastic would die due to how many times he rapped about him in past tense and they even teased us with Mylene and her friends when they would show 3 silhouettes of singers on stage with Books. I had all that anticipation but when the ending came there was not a clear answer to any of those questions.

There are rumors of Part 3, which would kick off the second season, but for now rumors don’t guarantee a satisfying end. I would love to see this show come back so these answers can be answered but as of right now this is what we are left with.

The Get Down

Although it was not an ideal ending for me, it still was full of emotion and gave closure to events that happened throughout the season. Part 2 of The Get Down, much like Part 1, was filled with great acting, excellent nostalgia, and entertaining musical performances. The storylines involving Mylene and her father as well as the conflicts that arise from Shaolin wanting to separate himself from Fat Annie and her son Cadillac were the best parts throughout the season. This is a five-episode season and it managed to make each episode count. Every episode kept you engaged the whole time and the ending scenes made you want to push past your bedtime to find out what is in store for these kids. The Get Down is one of Netflix’s most unique shows and I would recommend everyone take the time out to watch both parts while we can only hope we get an official season 2.

Reel Talk gives The Get Down Part 2  3.5 Reels


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About Luis Hernandez 67 Articles
As Reel Talk’s Creative Director, Luis is responsible for all the visuals of the website and marketing materials. He brings the views of the everyday movie audience but still holds an appreciation for the critically acclaimed films. He enjoys all things horror (good or bad) as well as comedy and action flicks. Follow him on Twitter @luisthedesigner