Nicolas Winding Refn said he wanted to create a "really long movie," and "Too Old to Die Young" was birthed from that desire. It is a very long, slow, bizarre, and violent series that covers a series of topics pertaining to corrupt police officers, the Mexican cartel, paid hitmen, psychics, and many more that are too graphic to write about. And I loved every minute of this show.
I am definitely biased because I enjoy Nicolas Winding Refn's films, but I found "Too Old to Die Young" to be mesmerizing and utterly engaging with its euphoric score and ethereal visuals. Granted, it took me about three episodes to be fully engaged, but the wait was certainly worth it. This show treats you to depraved characters you won't be able to help but like as the series goes on; to violent sequences that are filmed so beautifully that you'll want to look away but be unable to; to a slow-paced and nuanced story that consistently picks up steam and builds to an explosive finale; to plot points so horrific that you won't believe Amazon greenlit this series for their streaming platform. And it all makes for some of the best viewing I've had in a while.
As always, this show looks and sounds absolutely incredible, which isn't a surprise with Refn. This show has a decidedly over-stylized feel to it, with neon-drenched visuals and an overbearing score hanging overhead most scenes, and I couldn't get enough of it. Refn has a way of making those things work, and I just enjoy both of those aspects a lot in movies. Every episode submerges you to new things to look at and hear, and it is honestly exciting to see what Refn will make you endure next.
As I mentioned, "Too Old to Die Young" also has a story that deals with a various amount of plot points. I won't spoil any here, but let's just say that it makes the show completely unpredictable as you won't know what it's going to pull out of its hat next. Also, every actor in here did a phenomenal job, even though most of them are classically stoic and borderline mute, both traits that Refn enjoys making his characters embody. Regardless, the acting in this show was good, and as the series goes on it gives its characters many times to shine.
As a whole, I really enjoyed this show and will definitely be giving it a rewatch when I have time to spare. There is just so much to enjoy here, and if you're a fan of Refn, you will definitely find things to like, if not love.
I am definitely biased because I enjoy Nicolas Winding Refn's films, but I found "Too Old to Die Young" to be mesmerizing and utterly engaging with its euphoric score and ethereal visuals. Granted, it took me about three episodes to be fully engaged, but the wait was certainly worth it. This show treats you to depraved characters you won't be able to help but like as the series goes on; to violent sequences that are filmed so beautifully that you'll want to look away but be unable to; to a slow-paced and nuanced story that consistently picks up steam and builds to an explosive finale; to plot points so horrific that you won't believe Amazon greenlit this series for their streaming platform. And it all makes for some of the best viewing I've had in a while.
As always, this show looks and sounds absolutely incredible, which isn't a surprise with Refn. This show has a decidedly over-stylized feel to it, with neon-drenched visuals and an overbearing score hanging overhead most scenes, and I couldn't get enough of it. Refn has a way of making those things work, and I just enjoy both of those aspects a lot in movies. Every episode submerges you to new things to look at and hear, and it is honestly exciting to see what Refn will make you endure next.
As I mentioned, "Too Old to Die Young" also has a story that deals with a various amount of plot points. I won't spoil any here, but let's just say that it makes the show completely unpredictable as you won't know what it's going to pull out of its hat next. Also, every actor in here did a phenomenal job, even though most of them are classically stoic and borderline mute, both traits that Refn enjoys making his characters embody. Regardless, the acting in this show was good, and as the series goes on it gives its characters many times to shine.
As a whole, I really enjoyed this show and will definitely be giving it a rewatch when I have time to spare. There is just so much to enjoy here, and if you're a fan of Refn, you will definitely find things to like, if not love.