When in 2023 everyone was delighted with the novelty of “The Word of the Child”, I wanted to exclaim: “All this was already in the “City of God”. The 2002 film was about the favelas near Rio de Janeiro. The police only entered these places to ask for bribes, people were left to their own devices and bandits ruled everything: they fought for territory, traded in illegal substances and turned working days into a nightmare.
With such a life, any child firmly believed that the only way out of poverty was to pick up a gun. The movie explored this theme better than “A Boy’s Word.” Take, for example, the scene where arrogant kids first encountered retaliation from authority. Or an episode where good-natured Rocket tries to snap and steal the controller. The show was either funny or unbearably heartbreaking.
City of God was a huge success and spawned sequels, prequels and spin-offs, most of which were mediocre. But the original was so popular that it made it to HBO. On August 25, the series “City of God: The Fight Continues” began on the online cinema Max. This is a full-fledged sequel, where the heroes who survived the previous massacre return. Is the series worth watching?
Related materials
How did the series “September 3rd” end?
“City of God: The Struggle Continues”: information about the series
Name: “City of God: The fight continues” (Cidade de Deus: A Luta Não Para). Director: Ali Muritiba. Actors: Wayne LeGette, Alexandre Rodriguez, Andrea Orta and others. Release date: August 25, 2024. Gender: drama, crime. How many episodes: six episodes. Country: Brazil.
“City of God: The Struggle Continues”: Where to watch?
From August 25, “City of God: The Struggle Continues” will be shown on the Max online cinema. Episodes are broadcast every Monday, and the finale is scheduled for September 29. There is no official Russian dubbing or subtitles.
The video is posted on Mister Star’s YouTube channel. Video rights belong to HBO.
Related materials
Could The Lord of the Rings: The Ring of Power Season 2 Save the Series?
A show by fans for fans
There is no point in watching the new City of God if you haven’t seen the old one. The series brings back all the main characters who were children in 2002 and are now adults and protect the favelas so that the nightmare of the past is not repeated.
Rocket works in the media and talks about the misfortunes of the local population. Beneris does everything possible to ensure that the children can play sports and music. Braddock, the leader of the child raiders himself, seemed to have moderated his ardor after serving time. The characters’ backstory is mentioned in brief flashbacks, but this is not enough to capture the essence and atmosphere of the story. Therefore, before watching the series, be sure to watch “City of God” – the film is worth watching.
The actors from the original film returned to their roles.
Photo by: Max
Despite the general relaxation, crime persisted. However, it has also become civilized: the bandit Curio does dark things, but at the same time maintains order and makes sure that no one shoots in the streets.
But can peace in the favelas last forever? No. This is demonstrated by the end of the first episode, where, due to absurd disputes and the madness of one person, everything falls into chaos again. And now groups run through the streets and shoot, civilians become random victims, and the authorities do what they love: not interfere.
The quiet days are quickly ending
Photo by: Max
The first episodes are not as harrowing as the best moments of the original film. But they perfectly depict the life of an ordinary person in conditions of total chaos. For example, in the second episode, life in the favelas comes to a complete standstill: shops are closed, schools are shut, and people stay at home and shudder at gunshots at deadly proximity.
This situation poses a moral dilemma: stand aside and wait for things to calm down, or take up arms and fight for order. Both options are fraught with disadvantages. What if, through inaction, a new authority takes power? Will life continue to be just as peaceful? And if we fight back, won’t this lead to even more deaths? Different people respond differently and inevitably seem to regret their choice. That is the lot of an ordinary person in a world of madmen.
It is the focus on the lives of ordinary photographers, barbers and athletes that makes the series so appealing. We do not feel sorry for the bandits, each of whom has his own clear motivation, but the fate of ordinary people makes us bite our nails. “City of God” proved it 22 years ago: the bullet knows no mercy, it can pierce both the villain and the saint.
You will quickly hate this young lady.
Photo by: Max
“City of God” also raises other issues, and not all of them are equally successful. For example, Rocket has an adult daughter who simply mocks her father’s values. The girl twirls her butt on stage and sings obscene songs. What should Rocket do: support his daughter or teach her righteousness?
The problem is not that the arc is formulaic, it is simply too crude. Turgenev would at least shudder nervously at such a story about fathers and sons. I hope that in the next episodes the presentation will be at least a little more elegant.
Rocket at work
Photo by: Max
A combination of retro and modern.
The authors of the series did an incredible thing: they preserved the characteristic retro atmosphere of the 2002 film and at the same time filmed everything with excellent equipment, bringing the quality closer to “Narcos” and other standard police series. This is especially noticeable against the background of flashbacks taken from the original. The director dives into past events, and then switches to our days – in both cases, the picture looks organic.
If you watch an old film now and immediately see the new one, you will not feel any dissonance. This is also due to the transferred atmosphere with respect to the original source. The favelas are still flooded with light, but there is something oppressive about them. The characters smile and make plans for the future, but the viewer feels: it is not they who have the will, but God. And this guy left all his good will in the center of Rio de Janeiro.
Light, but at the same time intense, drink.
Photo by: Max
City of God: The Fight Continues – Is it worth watching?
HBO has produced an excellent crime series that will appeal to fans of the genre. If you love Narcos and have long empathized with Rocket, be sure to check out the new offering.
Related materials
What is “Secret Wars”: What will Marvel’s new “Avengers” be like?
Rating of the first episodes: 7.5 out of 10
I liked it
The crime plot is catchy. Excellent filming. It’s nice to get back to the story of Rocket and other old acquaintances.
I didn’t like it
The father-son arc is too crude.
