Netflix’s Neon: A Review of the Reggaeton Show

Well earlier than it even dropped, Netflix’s new present “Neon” discovered itself embroiled in a bit of controversy. After all, how might a present that follows the trials and tribulations of a younger reggaetonero on his path to fame allegedly not embody Puerto Rican voices in its conception when the island — together with Panama — helped to pioneer the style and take it to new heights? Well, after a number of course corrections and the participation of reggaeton leyenda Daddy Yankee himself, “Neon” is lastly obtainable to stream. And whereas the criticism about the reported lack of Puerto Rican participation was warranted, it does not inform the complete story of what the present’s making an attempt to realize in the first place.

You see, “Neon” is not a narrative about the perreo born in Puerto Rico. Nor is it a narrative about the reggae en Español produced by Panama. It is a narrative about the world, pan-Latine sensation that reggaeton has develop into, a style that has lengthy been increasing past its Caribbean origins. As such, the present takes care to not put on any specific ethnicity on its sleeve (though the foremost character is Puerto Rican), as a substitute setting the foremost stage in Miami, which has develop into a hub for reggaeton artists from round the world. It’s clear, then, that the aim is to attraction to as many communities as potential and inform a narrative that may communicate equally for younger reggaetoneros rising up in Mexico and in Argentina. And in that facet, the present succeeds.

“What we do get is a good show about music, dreams, and the friendship that fuels it all.”

The foremost solid of characters, performed by the trio of Tyler Dean Flores, Emma Ferreira, and Jordan Mendoza, are relatable, likable, and have natural chemistry. Flores’s portrayal of Santi is refreshing, as he casts apart stereotypical bravado and dials up the wide-eyed, small-town boy in the huge metropolis earnestness that basically sells the character. Ferreira’s Ness does equally nicely as the voice of motive of the group. And then, of course, there’s Mendoza’s Felix. Playing the odd-man-out Filipino greatest buddy, Mendoza’s blunt, profanity-filled efficiency took a number of episodes to develop on me. But as soon as it did, he was fairly often the motive for my suits of laughter.

The pilot episode does an excellent job establishing the characters, their objectives, and the challenges they face in making an attempt to realize them. It’s clear from the get-go that Santi’s expertise isn’t in query right here, and the bulk of the dramatic meat of the collection will as a substitute come from how he and his buddies navigate the music business somewhat than attempt to break into it. This method is refreshing and helps the present spherical out its solid, introducing secondary characters that are supposed to assist or hinder in a extra practical method. One such character is Courtney Taylor’s Mia, whose aspect plot and private journey are at instances extra attention-grabbing and succinct than the foremost narrative. That’s as a result of, as a consequence of its fast tempo, “Neon” tends to flit from plot level to plot level with out giving sufficient time to correctly develop the stakes. While the present’s episodic nature permits viewers to rapidly tune in and get the gist of all the things that is happening, it additionally implies that many of the issues are resolved inside an episode or two — in different phrases, each episode has to do the work of introducing new challenges and stakes somewhat than simply constructing off the framework already in place.

Because of this, regardless of the generally dire conditions the solid finds themselves in, the stakes stay comparatively low all through the entirety of the first season. Even the season finale, which ends with our foremost trio in yet one more business debacle, looks like nothing greater than a minor setback. Perhaps this may be attributed to the nature of streaming, through which showrunners are unsure of whether or not even the best-made reveals will get a second season. As such, rather a lot of character and plot improvement that ought to usually happen over a number of seasons will get crammed into one. This positively looks like the case with “Neon.” But regardless of these flaws, the present rises above them; it is finally anchored by its robust leads and supporting solid, a bevy of cameos, and above all, coronary heart.

Cocreators Shea Serrano and Max Searle do an excellent job making our foremost characters really feel actual, and the trio’s bond is finally what drives the present. “Neon” additionally does an excellent job tackling necessary points inside the crossroads of Latinidad and music, together with the whitewashing of Latine pop stars and the debate over authenticity inside reggaeton. And talking of authenticity, the featured artists go a great distance in serving to preserve the present genuine.

As talked about earlier, though Netflix acquired rather a lot of warmth for the reported lack of Puerto Rican participation behind the scenes, in entrance of the digital camera is a special story. “Neon” options cameos from Puerto Rican legends like Jowell, Ken-Y, and of course Daddy Yankee. But extra spectacular is the quantity of up-and-coming expertise out of PR the present provides a highlight to. Brray, Jon Z, and Lyanno all pop as much as assist transfer the plot ahead inside the first three episodes. Jhayco and Villano Antillano additionally get to flex their performing chops, with Jhayco’s character of Javier Luna showing all through the season to lend a refreshing air to what might have been a one-note, antagonist-type character.

This star-studded method interprets to the soundtrack as nicely — “Neon” goes out of its technique to paint a sonic image of the numerous style that’s reggaeton. To obtain this, Netflix employed reggaeton artist, historian, and podcaster Katelina “Gata” Eccleston and music author and Los Angeles columnist Suzy Exposito as consultants. And it reveals. From mainstream bops to heavy-hitting lure to occasion anthems, the music featured in “Neon” is simply as a lot a component of the narrative as what’s taking place onscreen.

So, is “Neon” an ideal present that may fulfill everybody? No, as a result of in making an attempt so laborious to attraction to everybody, rather a lot of the regional specificity, the sazón, is misplaced. And as a result of of that, we do not get as a lot stream, we do not see as deep into the style and the scene as we might have if the story would have centered on a selected area.

But what we do get is an efficient present about music, desires, and the friendship that fuels all of it. And if “Neon” does get renewed for a second season, I believe Santi’s story is the excellent car for a deep dive into the particular person areas of reggaeton, their distinctive cultures, and their histories. And given how season one ends, plainly’s what the showrunners are constructing as much as.

Fingers crossed that “Neon” comes again for spherical 2. First cease: Puerto Rico.