"Beyond the sterling performances and addictive soundtrack, what carries The Get Down is the sheer passion infused into every element in this immense production."
-- Ben Travers, INDIEWIRE

Netflix's latest original (and easily its most ambitious) premieres its first six episodes (dubbed part 1 of its 12-episode first season) on Friday. A musical drama about the rise of hip hop in the '70s and '80s in NYC, the cast includes Jaden Smith, Jimmy Smits and a host of unknown fresh faces. It carries an estimated production budget of $120 million and is the first TV series from Baz Luhrmann, director of Moulin Rouge! and The Great Gatsby.

I cannot wait for this. I've been so excited for it ever since it was announced. Luhrmann is one of my favorite filmmakers and the series has been getting amazing buzz so far. Sounds absolutely fantastic. I'll definitely be binging this next weekend.

I'm so torn right now.

Luhrmann? YESSSSSSSSS.
Jaden Smith? FUCK NOOOOOO.

Most of the leads in this show are unknown - Jaden has a supporting role. The leads are Shameik Moore from Dope, Justice Smith from Paper Towns and a lot of people the NYC casting team found randomly (one of the leads was discovered while performing on the subway).

I'm just starting the fifth episode. The "Set Me Free" scene was incredible! The best part of the show so far, which I am highly enjoying. I think if you're a fan of Baz it's impossible not to like because it's super stylized in the way all of his films are. The young cast is also fantastic.

Finished. Great show.

holy fuck how much tv do u watch?

A lot I also work in the industry so it's part of my job.

This was an easy binge though. Only 6 episodes.

I have two more episodes left in the second half and definitely this is a step down in quality from the first. Justice Smith and his character are fucking annoying. The animation sequences also look cheap.

Episode 4 is the most Baz Luhrmann-influenced of the show so far. The whole nightclub sequence feels straight out of Moulin Rouge.

I watch the first 2 episodes and then forgot about it

I'd be shocked if Netflix renewed it. It costs a fortune, was plagued with production problems throughout the entire run, and now they're in a fight with SAG over holding their actors under contract for too long. It's also completely buzz-free, it's almost crazy how little coverage it gets and they essentially dumped the second half with little promotion where it's overshadowed by "13 Reasons Why" right now.

We'll see, but it seems like more trouble than its worth. For what it's worth there are moments of brilliance here and some riveting sequences, it's definitely an ambitious show.