Exploring Season Three of Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum

Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum! – Season Three: A Journey Through Adulthood and Experience

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

Starring: Egor Gubarev, Valentina Lyapina, Yuri Borisov, Nikita Pavlenko, Evgeny Tkachenko, Viktor Sukhorukov, and others.

The much-anticipated third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" brings back the beloved tale of 90s teenagers, this time set against the backdrop of a hot summer in 1996. Our engaging characters, now two years older, are faced with new challenges that test their resilience and growth.

The Character Evolution: Entering a New Chapter

While the main characters remain familiar fixtures, the passage of two years has left distinct marks on their lives:

• Sanya (Egor Gubarev) has graduated high school and found a niche selling cassettes at a local kiosk, embarking on a new phase that includes romantic escapades with a fresh love interest.
• Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have embraced parenthood; Vovka, driven by a desire to support his family, gets entangled in dubious schemes.
• Ilya (Fyodor Roshchin), previously known for his quirky demeanor, is now on a quest for physical perfection, leaving his eccentricities somewhat behind.
• Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) stirs the pot by returning to town engaged to her fiancé, much to her friends' astonishment.

As the pressures of adulthood seep into their relationships, Sanya's parents grapple with their own turmoil—his mother faces imprisonment for financial fraud, while his father stakes his hopes on VITALIK (Arthur Beschetny), who often dances on the razor's edge of legality.

A Gripping Criminal Underbelly

The series artfully sketches a more intricate depiction of Tula's criminal underworld. With many pivotal characters from earlier seasons meeting tragic ends, the writers introduce an array of fresh faces while bringing back a few presumed deceased characters to create palpable tensions.

The return of Alyk (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko) evokes a mixed bag of emotions—their resurrection, though more believable this time around, remains a strikingly dramatic twist. As usual, the teenagers find themselves inadvertently swept into a maelstrom of crime and chaos.

The Soul of the Show: Soundtrack

Music once again takes center stage, weaving an alluring tapestry that enhances the series. The soundtrack is a delightful collection, combining:

• 90s hits, enveloping viewers in the nostalgic vibes of the era.
• Mudzhu's music, crafted to evoke a sense of urgent inspiration reflective of the times.
• The album "Morskaya" by the band Mumiy Troll, which is cleverly woven into the storyline, although it technically released after this period.

The sonic landscape not only shapes the emotional resonance of the narrative but also mirrors the spirit of upheaval and transformation prevalent in the 90s.

Pacing and Suspense: What to Expect from Season Three

The initial episodes of this season might feel somewhat slower compared to the exhilarating pace of prior installments, but it’s a mere illusion. Tension mounts with each scene, soon returning to the show’s signature brisk rhythm.

The writers masterfully toe the line between absurdity and authenticity, allowing audiences to invest in the characters' lives—even despite their myriad flaws and mistakes. Can the series maintain its gripping allure until the very end? Or are we in for another whirlwind of dizzying developments?

End: Why You Should Tune In

Season three of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" remains a standout example of nostalgic cinema capturing the spirit of the 90s. It artfully combines:

• Vivid characters, beloved for their authenticity and charm.
• An evocative atmosphere, richly infused through sets, music, and costumes, breathing life into the decade.
• A plot that consistently engages, blending suspense with an almost effortless delivery.

This season serves as another crucial chapter in the characters’ lives, reminding us that while they may not have lived much, they’ve certainly experienced a world of emotions. It’s highly recommended for anyone eager to relive the essence of the 90s or simply enjoy top-notch Russian storytelling.