Ritmo Salvaje Opinion
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Ritmo Salvaje, a Netflix series shares a wild relationship between classic dance drama and reggaeton dance. In Bogotá Colombia, two different groups from opposite worlds collide throughout a dance battle. Colombian stars, Paulina Davilla and Greeicy Rendon, who play as Antonia and Karina, become each other's safe plan or so they thought. Antonia is a student from an esteemed Colombian dance academy and Karina’s character lives and works in the barrios, but becomes a dancer at night. After a bitter introduction, they end up arranging a deal that will be beneficial for both. However, through the mix of revenge, broken friendships, romance, and money it all got out of hand.
The telenovela captures an insight from both worlds, between the rich and poor. Director Andres Beltran emphasized the distinction within the living situations people from the barrios face. A place where money is difficult to keep stable. Beltran demonstrates that the young people insituates themselves in conflicts. Their heart is in the right place, but not so well thought through. These young people had only intended to help their parents and families with financial needs and if possible to leave the barrio. Perhaps this is an issue that is being called out to their government and I think Karina’s character shows exactly that. Working in a factory while being sexually harassed by her boss to at least get a week’s salary is a cry for community support. Therefore, being one of the very few pros about this show
An aspect that many of the viewers favored was the spread of Latino culture being represented through traditions and music. However, as everyone knows music plays a big part in the Hispanic race. I believe the soundtrack could've been improved by common reggaeton artists that many of the young people are listening to nowadays. Although many of the dance moves did interpret a mix of elegance and pop, utilizing singers that go along with the theme would’ve combined well with the fluidity of the dance moves.
As for the plot, I believe the story is a bit predictable. The common soap opera romance, the betrayal of a friend, I found to be too traditional. When viewers hit that play button one expects to watch something different than what they saw from their last telenovela.
Personally, I started to lose interest by episode four. I don’t think a series was not necessary, it would’ve made more sense to make it into a movie. Although I did finish watching the show, I didn’t feel that spark of curiosity of what happens next or the excitement of a second season. It was truly bland.
The rest of the cast did bring some kind of potential to the telenovela, but halfway through the series there was a random character who just so happened to pop up. Mario, who was a gangster, where another character apparently owed him money didn’t make quite sense to the story. Scenes like this tend to lose the viewer’s interest. In other words, there were some scenes that were poorly plotted.
Only with a few good pointers, the Netflix series, Ritmo Salvaje wasn’t consistent with that thrilling emotion that viewers expect to watch when it comes to shows like these. If there is another upcoming season, I would suggest for the production team and cast members to take in the critiques and improve with what needs work. It’ll be a disappointment if two seasons keep up with the same crummy story line.
