Exploring Season Three of 'World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!'

Review of Season Three of the Series "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!": The Spirit of the 90s, Growing Up, and the Inevitability of Change

Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov
Rating: 8 out of 10

"World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" has long captured the hearts of its audience, striking a fine balance between nostalgia for the turbulent 90s and a captivating, multi-layered narrative. The third season, which debuted on the streaming platform Premier, transports viewers once again into the provincial landscape of mid-90s Russia, all while presenting this era through the lens of its main characters’ maturation.

Characters Mature, Complications Worsen

At the heart of the storyline is a restless band of friends who, despite the passing of two years since the last season, continue to find themselves embroiled in unexpected situations. Set against the backdrop of summer 1996, this new chapter signifies a fresh phase in the protagonists’ lives.

• Sanya (played by Yegor Gubarev) has left school behind and is grappling with the challenges of adult life. His budding romance with a girl (Alexandra Khromova) adds a sweet layer to the tale, yet does little to shield him from the mundanity of everyday struggles, such as working in a cassette shop.
• Vovka (Yegor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) now find themselves navigating the complexities of young parenthood. Vovka, while maintaining his typical overconfident demeanor, resorts to questionable means in his pursuit to provide for his family.
• Ilya (Fedor Roshchin)—a character marked by internal turbulence—is now keen on physical self-improvement, which heightens the dramatic elements of his journey.
• Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to her hometown not alone but accompanied by her fiancé (Fedor Fedotov), a development that catches her friends off guard.

Sanya's family woes take center stage as well. His mother (Kseniya Katalymova) finds herself in handcuffs for financial misconduct, while his father (Stepan Devonin) has turned to a former business partner for assistance, who may not be as helpful as he seems.

Criminal Tula: A Whirlwind of Events

The writers, foregoing subtle hints, boldly establish Tula as the setting for the action. Following the events of the first two seasons, the city has transformed; many key figures from the criminal underworld have met their end, compelling the creators to introduce new characters and even "resurrect" some familiar faces.

Viewers can anticipate the surprising reappearance of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose deaths in the previous season appeared to be final. This time, the writers have ingeniously crafted a rationale for their survival, instilling the plot with intrigue and momentum.

Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era

The musical score continues to be one of the series’ standout features. The compositions by Mujus adeptly encapsulate the atmosphere of a time both anxious yet filled with hope. The soundtrack also includes chart-topping hits from the 90s that ignite a wave of nostalgia. Notably, the album "Morskaya" by the band "Mumiy Troll" is given special attention, even if it is technically released a year ahead of its actual timeline.

A Slow Start or the Calm Before the Storm?

Unlike earlier seasons, the third installment kicks off with a comparatively slower pace. Yet, a sense of tension looms right from the outset. It remains to be seen whether the creators will maintain this tempo or, as has been the pattern, plunge the characters into a whirlwind of heart-pounding and perilous escapades.

The third season of "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" serves as a thoughtful continuation of the story regarding coming of age, the dilemmas of decision-making, and the essence of the challenging 90s. Despite some contentious narrative choices, the series stands out as one of the finest exemplars of contemporary Russian cinema. The intrigue, pace, and emotional richness render this show a must-watch for those who appreciate dramatic storytelling with historical depth.