Dive Into 90s Nostalgia with Season Three of Friendship
Rating: 8 out of 10
Release Date: May 4th, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov
Main Cast: Egor Gubarev, Valentina Lyapina, Yuri Borisov, Nikita Pavlenko, Evgeny Tkachuk, Viktor Sukhorukov, and others.
The third season of the beloved series "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" takes viewers on a nostalgic journey back to the lives of teenagers in the 90s. This time, the storyline shifts to the summer of 1996, where the characters have matured over two years and now face new challenges and experiences.
Growing Up: A New Phase in Life
Although the core characters remain familiar, they have all undergone significant changes in the two years since we last saw them:
- Sanka (Egor Gubarev), having graduated high school, has taken to selling cassettes at a local stall. A new chapter begins in his life, including a budding romance with a new girlfriend.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have embraced parenthood, yet Vovka, in his quest to provide for his family, finds himself entangled in questionable escapades.
- Ilya (Fyodor Roschin), always the oddball, aspires to physical perfection, showcasing a remarkable transformation.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) arrives in town with her fiancé, a surprising twist that leaves her friends reeling.
Meanwhile, Sanka's parents are navigating their dramas: his mother lands in prison due to financial fraud, while his father clings to the hope that their troubles will be resolved by Vitalik (Arthur Beshastny), who remains a master of walking the fine line of legality.
A Rich Criminal Narrative
This season delves deeper into the criminal underbelly of Tula, presenting it from a fresh perspective. Many pivotal players in the city's crime scene met their demise in the previous season, but this time around, the writers introduce new characters, and a few presumed dead make surprising returns.
The reappearance of Alek (Yuri Borisov) and Vitek (Nikita Pavlenko) stirs a blend of emotions; their resurrections, while more believable this season, remain steeped in dramatic flair. As always, our teenage protagonists find themselves caught in the whirlwind of events, inadvertently drawn into the tide of crime.
The Soundtrack: The Soul of the Series
Music plays a pivotal role in crafting the unique atmosphere of the series. The soundtrack features:
- 90s hits that immerse the audience in the era.
- Mudzus's music, capturing the urgent inspiration of the time.
- The album "Marine" by Mumiy Troll, which within the series' timeline, is portrayed as having been released earlier than it actually was.
This musical backdrop deepens the emotional resonance of the storylines, mirroring the spirit of change and instability synonymous with the 90s.
Dynamics and Intrigue: What to Expect in Season Three
The opening episodes of this season might seem sluggish compared to their predecessors, but this impression is misleading. Tension escalates with each scene, and soon enough, the show's trademark rapid pace reasserts itself.
The writers skillfully tread the line between absurdity and realism, prompting viewers to empathize with the characters, despite their flaws and missteps. Will the series maintain its suspense until the very end? Or are we about to witness a new spiral of dizzying events?
Ending: Why You Should Watch
The third season of "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" stands as a vivid example of nostalgic cinema centered on the 90s. It masterfully blends together:
- Colorful characters, beloved by viewers for their authenticity and charm.
- The aura of the era, conveyed through settings, music, and costumes that evoke a palpable sense of time.
- A plot that consistently keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, despite its effortless delivery.
This season marks another step towards understanding how the lives of its characters say "little has been lived but much has been experienced." It’s highly recommended for anyone yearning to relive the 90s or simply looking to enjoy quality Russian television.