Exploring Season Three of Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!
Rating: 8 out of 10
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov
Starring: EΠ³ΠΎΡ Gubarev, Valentina Lyapina, Yuri Borisov, Nikita Pavlenko, Evgeny Tkachenko, Viktor Sukhorukov, and others.
The third season of the beloved series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" marks a highly anticipated return to the enchanting yet tumultuous world of '90s teenagers. Set in the summer of 1996, the plot unfolds two years after the events of the previous seasons, as our characters encounter fresh hurdles and transformative experiences.
The Coming of Age of Characters: A New Chapter
While our main characters remain familiar, the two-year gap has brought about significant changes in their lives:
- Sanya (Egor Gubarev) has graduated from high school and now sells cassettes from a kiosk, embarking on a path filled with youthful romance and new responsibilities.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have stepped into the role of parents. Driven by the urge to support his family, Vovka finds himself entangled in dubious dealings.
- Ilya (Fedor Roshchin), always the odd one out, is now on a quest for physical perfection, showcasing the evolution of his character arc.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to town with her fiancΓ©, surprising her friends and stirring up emotions.
Sanyaβs parents are wrestling their own demons. His mother is imprisoned due to financial misconduct while his father clings to the hope that Vitalik (Artur Besschnyy), the familyβs perennial wild card, will somehow extricate them from their troubles.
Rich Criminal Underpinnings
In this season, the writers delve deeper into the underbelly of Tula's crime scene, offering a renewed perspective on its complexities. Although many significant figures in the criminal world met their demise in the previous season, fresh, vivid characters emerge, breathing new life into the plot. Interestingly, some characters presumed lost to the shadows make unexpected returns.
The re-entry of Alyk (Yuri Borisov) and Vityk (Nikita Pavlenko) elicits mixed emotions: their return feels more grounded, yet it remains a dramatic plot twist. Once again, our youthful protagonists find themselves at the vortex of chaos, inadvertently swept into a tempest of crime.
A Soundtrack That Resonates
Music takes center stage once more, echoing the series' unique atmosphere. The soundtrack features:
- Hits from the '90s, expertly immersing viewers in that bygone era.
- Mujus's music, stylized to embody the anxious inspiration of the time.
- The album "Sea" by the band Mumiy Troll, which in the narrative, is said to have released earlier than its real-life debut.
The musical score enriches the overarching narrative, reflecting the emotions and tumult of the changing times that marked the '90s.
Dynamic and Intriguing: What to Expect from Season Three
The initial episodes of the third season may feel a tad lethargic when compared to previous installments, but this impression is merely an illusion. The tension escalates scene by scene, and soon the show regains its recognizable and riveting pace.
The writers artfully tread the line between absurdity and realism, allowing viewers to empathize with the characters despite their flaws and missteps. Will the series maintain its gripping intensity until the very end? Are we poised for yet another whirlwind of outrageous events?
Ending: Why You Should Watch
The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" stands as one of the most vibrant tributes to '90s nostalgia within the realm of cinematic storytelling. It masterfully weaves together:
- Enthralling characters whose realism and charisma have won audiences' hearts.
- An atmosphere rich in detail, conveyed through authentic settings, music, and costumes indicative of the era.
- A storyline that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, all while maintaining a light-hearted narrative.
This season represents further steps in unveiling the essence of its charactersβ lives: "little was lived, but much was experienced." It is a recommendation for anyone looking to relive the magic of the '90s or simply savor a high-quality Russian series.