Exploring the Nostalgia and Growth in Season Three
Review of Season Three of the Series "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!": The Spirit of the '90s, Growing Up, and the Inevitable Changes
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov
Rating: 8 out of 10
The series "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" has long captured the hearts of audiences, thanks to its delicate balance between nostalgia for the tumultuous '90s and a captivating, multi-layered plot. The much-anticipated third season, which premiered on the online platform Premier, once again immerses viewers in the atmosphere of provincial Russia in the mid-'90s, but now through the lens of the characters' maturation.
Characters Growing Up, Complications Intensifying
At the heart of the drama is a restless group of friends who, despite the passage of two years, continue to find themselves embroiled in unexpected situations. The action of the new season unfolds in the summer of 1996, symbolically coinciding with the beginning of a new chapter in the characters' lives.
- Sanka (Egor Gubarev) has left his school days behind, striving to navigate the complexities of adult life. His new relationship with a girl (Alexandra Khromova) adds a romantic twist to the narrative but does little to save him from everyday struggles, such as working at a kiosk selling cassettes.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have stepped into the roles of young parents. Vovka, maintaining his typical overconfident flair, attempts to provide for his family through questionable means.
- Ilya (Fyodor Roshchin), a character wrestling with inner turmoil, is now passionately devoted to physical self-improvement, which adds a layer of drama to his persona.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to her hometown, not alone but with a fiancé (Fyodor Fedotov), creating an unexpected twist for her friends.
Sanka’s family woes emerge as a pivotal thread in the narrative. His mother (Ksenia Katalymova) has been arrested for financial fraud, while his father (Stepan Devoinin) is holding onto hopes pinned on a former partner who may prove to be far from trustworthy.
Crime-Ridden Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The writers have decided to drop subtle hints and name the location as Tula outright. Following the events of the first two seasons, the city undergoes notable transformations; many key figures in the criminal underworld have perished, prompting the creators to introduce new characters and even "resurrect" old ones.
Viewers can expect a surprise return of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose deaths in the previous season appeared definitive. This time, the writers have made a considerable effort to provide a more plausible explanation for their survival, injecting intrigue and dynamism into the storyline.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
Musical accompaniment remains one of the series' strongest assets. The compositions of Mujus beautifully evoke the ambiance of an era filled with anxiety yet brimming with hope. Additionally, hits from the '90s revive a sense of nostalgia. Particular focus is given to the album "Morskaya" by the band "Mumiy Troll," which, contrary to the real-life timeline, is released a year ahead of schedule.
A Slow Beginning or Calm Before the Storm?
In contrast to previous seasons, the third installment begins with a relatively slow-paced development of events. Nonetheless, tension is palpable from the very first episodes. The question remains: will the creators maintain this rhythm, or will they, as has often been the case, plunge the characters into a whirlwind of gripping and perilous adventures?
The third season of "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" presents a quality continuation of a story centered on maturation, the challenges of choice, and the spirit of the complex '90s. Despite some contentious plot decisions, the project stands as one of the finest examples of contemporary Russian cinema. Intrigue, kinetic energy, and emotional depth render the series a must-watch for anyone who appreciates drama steeped in historical context.