Peaceful episode, regular cartel stuff and a bit of mexican culture and stuff. Yet technically perfect, the music is exhilirating. And the "heteros - maricones" reference was terrific
10 Reviews
borderline boring
housebeast24 June 2019
Strangely hypnotic in its minimalism
darkreignn21 January 2021
"Volume 2: The Lovers," the second episode of "Too Old to Die Young," contains perhaps less content than the first episode, but is, in my opinion, slightly more enjoyable. "Volume 2" has all of the slow pans and static one-take shots that you'd expect, except this time, they're all within the sunny, quasi-desert paradise of Mexico. And throughout the duration of this episode's feature-length runtime, I found myself engrossed in its mood, atmosphere, and of course, visuals.
"Volume 2" sits in stark contrast to episode one - where episode one was constantly dimly lit and drenched in neon lights, episode two lets the sun light its scenes with a glow that's almost other-worldly in its beauty. I mean, if you told me that Nicolas Winding Refn (NWR) somehow found the garden of Eden and decided to film "Volume 2" there, I'd believe it because of how drop-dead gorgeous this episode looks. The scenery is like something out of a travel catalogue - perfectly curated, bright, stunning. It's so hard to take your eyes off the screen because of how pretty everything, and everyone, looks.
Yes, "Volume 2" introduces some new characters, including the absolutely beautiful Cristina Rodlo as Yaritza - no doubt, the most intriguing character yet. Her backstory remains mysterious and cryptic, and she seems to have an uncanny connection to the supernatural. I am very much looking forward to seeing how she is utilized in upcoming episodes. And when it comes to characters, this episode focuses entirely on members of a Mexican cartel - one of which was responsible for murdering Miles Tellers' police officer partner in episode one. And besides that one character, no one else who was in episode one is present here. It's a bold move to shift focus so drastically, but in my opinion, it paid off.
It was utterly fascinating to see an episode of television centering around a cartel that featured so little violence. Instead, the focus of this episode is squarely on character building through fantastic dialogue, mostly entirely spoken in Spanish. "Volume 2" treats its viewers to a very in-depth look at this family, their business dealings, and personal relationships with each other, all done in the complete opposite way you'd expect. There is little catharsis through violence, which I appreciated.
Another thing I loved about this episode was its fantastic acting all across the board. There are, of course, one or two characters who sit there, stone-faced, but there were also many characters who were acting with genuine emotion, adding a sense of normalcy to NWR's hyper-realized world.
Episode two was damn near great, and I'm eager to continue forward.
"Volume 2" sits in stark contrast to episode one - where episode one was constantly dimly lit and drenched in neon lights, episode two lets the sun light its scenes with a glow that's almost other-worldly in its beauty. I mean, if you told me that Nicolas Winding Refn (NWR) somehow found the garden of Eden and decided to film "Volume 2" there, I'd believe it because of how drop-dead gorgeous this episode looks. The scenery is like something out of a travel catalogue - perfectly curated, bright, stunning. It's so hard to take your eyes off the screen because of how pretty everything, and everyone, looks.
Yes, "Volume 2" introduces some new characters, including the absolutely beautiful Cristina Rodlo as Yaritza - no doubt, the most intriguing character yet. Her backstory remains mysterious and cryptic, and she seems to have an uncanny connection to the supernatural. I am very much looking forward to seeing how she is utilized in upcoming episodes. And when it comes to characters, this episode focuses entirely on members of a Mexican cartel - one of which was responsible for murdering Miles Tellers' police officer partner in episode one. And besides that one character, no one else who was in episode one is present here. It's a bold move to shift focus so drastically, but in my opinion, it paid off.
It was utterly fascinating to see an episode of television centering around a cartel that featured so little violence. Instead, the focus of this episode is squarely on character building through fantastic dialogue, mostly entirely spoken in Spanish. "Volume 2" treats its viewers to a very in-depth look at this family, their business dealings, and personal relationships with each other, all done in the complete opposite way you'd expect. There is little catharsis through violence, which I appreciated.
Another thing I loved about this episode was its fantastic acting all across the board. There are, of course, one or two characters who sit there, stone-faced, but there were also many characters who were acting with genuine emotion, adding a sense of normalcy to NWR's hyper-realized world.
Episode two was damn near great, and I'm eager to continue forward.
Mesmerizing
sackofwhine10 May 2020
Refn reaaaally takes his time here, creating some truly spectacular scenes. Just like in episode 1 I have some minor complaints but all in all this is just what I expected from a Refn cartel show. Definitely still in the build up phase and slowly building up to something wild.
Visually and musically this tops most cinematic releases. Great stuff.
Visually and musically this tops most cinematic releases. Great stuff.
This single episode is a masterpiece of its own
anton-koschak-155-63053516 June 2019
Warning: Spoilers
First of all, if you are not into Refn's style of directing (slow paced, overstylized scenes) I will surely not change your mind here. Same as episode one.
Magdalena. In contrast to people who say this episode (maybe the entire season) is without substance, I believe this is exactly what this show gains through this episode. The entire episode we follow the antagonist, which is very bold move for a second episode, but it pays off. Not only do we emphasize a lot more with the other side of the story, we get a stylized, yet deep look into the loss of a family member/mother. It makes the killing of Magdalena, which kicks off the overall story not only way more interesting, all characters gain substance as well, and the line between good and evil blurs so much, that in the end, after spending the same amount of screentime with both sides, I asked myself the question, who is right, and who is wrong here?
Magdalena. In contrast to people who say this episode (maybe the entire season) is without substance, I believe this is exactly what this show gains through this episode. The entire episode we follow the antagonist, which is very bold move for a second episode, but it pays off. Not only do we emphasize a lot more with the other side of the story, we get a stylized, yet deep look into the loss of a family member/mother. It makes the killing of Magdalena, which kicks off the overall story not only way more interesting, all characters gain substance as well, and the line between good and evil blurs so much, that in the end, after spending the same amount of screentime with both sides, I asked myself the question, who is right, and who is wrong here?
Subtitles en masse
Machiavell26 June 2019
the other side of the coin
sjsufan-416 June 2019
This episode shows that Jesus is not simply our antagonist but a sort of alternate protagonist from Martin. with the morals of this show being as blurred as they are, this works to fantastic effect.
here, we learn about the world of the cartel and its basic operations. in any other show this would be highly methodical but instead we're opened to the philosophical implications of the concept of dynasty. a ruler contemplates his empire, the next in line struggles with his privilege, the lover watches her flower slowly wilt away, and the newcomer tries to find his footing in it all.
this could honestly work as its own film. it establishes so much that builds these characters and the world around them. sure, the first episode will give you a good idea of context but its not entirelt necessary. i guess NWR's claims that the show can be watched out of order is true! but i guess i'll have to continue watching to really find out. regardless, i have never been more sold on a show in so few episodes. can't wait to see how far down the rabbit hole goes.
here, we learn about the world of the cartel and its basic operations. in any other show this would be highly methodical but instead we're opened to the philosophical implications of the concept of dynasty. a ruler contemplates his empire, the next in line struggles with his privilege, the lover watches her flower slowly wilt away, and the newcomer tries to find his footing in it all.
this could honestly work as its own film. it establishes so much that builds these characters and the world around them. sure, the first episode will give you a good idea of context but its not entirelt necessary. i guess NWR's claims that the show can be watched out of order is true! but i guess i'll have to continue watching to really find out. regardless, i have never been more sold on a show in so few episodes. can't wait to see how far down the rabbit hole goes.
"I am the High Priestess of Death."
lucanreyn-4017718 June 2019
A masterpiece. This is mindblowing execution. While I absolutely love the first episode, this is even better, providing a bold look at what we thought was our antagonist but now realise is an additional protagonist with some of the most artistic and creative storytelling I have ever seen in a TV show.
Not that it matters, but I am surprised that this episode is drastically lower than the rest of the season here on IMDb. My guess would be because of the daring transition between this and episode 1, by literally showing us another 90 minutes of a completely different location, set of characters and more importantly a very different feel. Episode 1 was dark and bleak, this was peaceful and otherworldly and an extremely unique portrayal of a cartel, letting us take in the nature and warmth of sandy Mexico along with the characters. Personally, I'm in love with this episode. This is Nicolas Winding Refn at his best.
Not that it matters, but I am surprised that this episode is drastically lower than the rest of the season here on IMDb. My guess would be because of the daring transition between this and episode 1, by literally showing us another 90 minutes of a completely different location, set of characters and more importantly a very different feel. Episode 1 was dark and bleak, this was peaceful and otherworldly and an extremely unique portrayal of a cartel, letting us take in the nature and warmth of sandy Mexico along with the characters. Personally, I'm in love with this episode. This is Nicolas Winding Refn at his best.
The Mexican Cartel Perspective: Just as Slow, Midly More Interesting
ThomasMuf21 July 2019
TOTDY is a pretentious, self-indulgent, narcissistic,navel-gazing, misogynistic, slow-moving mess that does look great but offers nothing in the way of plot, character development, nuance, real tension or, indeed, meaning. It's what happens when a studio (Amazon Prime) just hands out money to a self-professed auteur without any restrictions. So far, so bad.
Episode 2 shifts the focus from Miles Teller's stone-faced Martin to Augusto Aguilera's equally stone-faced Jésus. The pacing becomes even more ponderous (if that's conceivable) and slow, with even more of those pointless panning shots that don't reveal anything at all. On the upside, character actors Emiliano Díez (as the cartel patriarch) and Sal Lopez (as the corrupt Captain Cortez) refuse to act robotically and deliver nuanced performances, stealing every scene they're in. Apart from that, it's the same muted colours throughout, the same lobotomized pacing, the same meaningless interaction between the characters, the same narcicistic navel-gazing by Refn. In fact, it's even slower than the first episode.
Episode 2 shifts the focus from Miles Teller's stone-faced Martin to Augusto Aguilera's equally stone-faced Jésus. The pacing becomes even more ponderous (if that's conceivable) and slow, with even more of those pointless panning shots that don't reveal anything at all. On the upside, character actors Emiliano Díez (as the cartel patriarch) and Sal Lopez (as the corrupt Captain Cortez) refuse to act robotically and deliver nuanced performances, stealing every scene they're in. Apart from that, it's the same muted colours throughout, the same lobotomized pacing, the same meaningless interaction between the characters, the same narcicistic navel-gazing by Refn. In fact, it's even slower than the first episode.
Engrossing in an odd, unexplainable way.
LegendaryFang5626 July 2021
Well, I was wrong. This episode has the longest runtime, not the premiere. An hour and 37 minutes. An hour and 37 minutes of lingering shots of the scenery and background, longer-than-normal (I'd imagine) pauses in-between dialogue, a small amount of dialogue in general. Yet still engrossing in this odd, unexplainable way.
I guess that is Nicolas Winding Refn's film style. It, along with the cinematography, this episode, was completely different than in the premiere. There were hardly any fluorescent colors. Instead, a simpler, more peaceful atmosphere, feel, and mood, based on the cinematography itself. It was like it had a mind of its own. No need for dialogue throughout its entirety but just enough.
Before I began writing this, I thought I liked the premiere much better. I was going to rate this episode a six out of ten. Then, once a few seconds had passed and I was about to begin writing, I was going to give it a rating of seven out of ten. But I changed my mind. Eight out of ten is perfect.
And the more I think about it, this episode was more riveting than the premiere. I really liked Martin's sole aspect of the premiere, and I still do. And I'm very interested in the future of it, for the story to divert back to him, just from a balancing point of view. To keep the story flowing, engaging, and not too focused on one part. Attention will start dwindling, people will start growing bored, and in some cases, more bored if too much focus is put on, let's say, Martin or Jesus, instead of adding balance, going back and forth, keeping the flow moving.
But now, I'm more interested in the continuation of Jesus' story. I imagine the next episode will put the focus back on Martin, and I hope by the end of it, I'll have that same feeling. That feeling of deeper interest, wanting the continuation of his story. And that cycle continuing for the rest of the season. That would be perfect. Inadvertently or deliberately causing your audience's attention to go back and forth from one point to another, like a master puppeteer. That must be the pinnacle of expertise when it comes to directing in the film and television industry.
I guess that is Nicolas Winding Refn's film style. It, along with the cinematography, this episode, was completely different than in the premiere. There were hardly any fluorescent colors. Instead, a simpler, more peaceful atmosphere, feel, and mood, based on the cinematography itself. It was like it had a mind of its own. No need for dialogue throughout its entirety but just enough.
Before I began writing this, I thought I liked the premiere much better. I was going to rate this episode a six out of ten. Then, once a few seconds had passed and I was about to begin writing, I was going to give it a rating of seven out of ten. But I changed my mind. Eight out of ten is perfect.
And the more I think about it, this episode was more riveting than the premiere. I really liked Martin's sole aspect of the premiere, and I still do. And I'm very interested in the future of it, for the story to divert back to him, just from a balancing point of view. To keep the story flowing, engaging, and not too focused on one part. Attention will start dwindling, people will start growing bored, and in some cases, more bored if too much focus is put on, let's say, Martin or Jesus, instead of adding balance, going back and forth, keeping the flow moving.
But now, I'm more interested in the continuation of Jesus' story. I imagine the next episode will put the focus back on Martin, and I hope by the end of it, I'll have that same feeling. That feeling of deeper interest, wanting the continuation of his story. And that cycle continuing for the rest of the season. That would be perfect. Inadvertently or deliberately causing your audience's attention to go back and forth from one point to another, like a master puppeteer. That must be the pinnacle of expertise when it comes to directing in the film and television industry.
Another episode of ego stroking by a totally incompetent "auteur"
silverton-379595 April 2024
Two episodes in and the total of what has happened in this series amounts to less than a minute and a half of screen time. Refn is like the tale of The Emperor's New Clothes, with a handful of fans who don't understand what his appeal actually is, but they hope to look cool by gushing over his boring films.
I'm going to say the silent part out loud here: This guy, Refn, is a self impressed fraud who can't tell a story to save his life. Telling a story requires more than making up some names for characters who do nothing but deliver dead lines. Shooting long pan shots of nothing doesn't do anything to tell a story.
The next producer to hear one of Refn's pitches should tell him to shut up and get out. Someone needs to stop this guy before he wastes another dollar with his empty, no story projects.
I'm going to say the silent part out loud here: This guy, Refn, is a self impressed fraud who can't tell a story to save his life. Telling a story requires more than making up some names for characters who do nothing but deliver dead lines. Shooting long pan shots of nothing doesn't do anything to tell a story.
The next producer to hear one of Refn's pitches should tell him to shut up and get out. Someone needs to stop this guy before he wastes another dollar with his empty, no story projects.
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