Review of Season 3: 'Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!'
Review of Season Three of the Series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!": The Spirit of the '90s, Growing Up, and the Inevitability of Change
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fedorov
Rating: 8 out of 10
The series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" has long captured the hearts of audiences with its delicate weave of nostalgia for the tumultuous 1990s and a captivating, layered narrative. The premiere of its third season on the streaming platform Premier immerses us once again in the ambiance of provincial Russia in the mid-'90s, but this time through the lens of the charactersβ maturation.
Characters Grow, Challenges Complicate
At the heart of the tale is the irrepressible band of friends that continues to find themselves in the most unexpected predicaments, despite the passage of two years. Set during the summer of 1996, the new season symbolizes a pivotal chapter in the lives of its characters.
- Sanyka (Egor Gubarev) steps into adulthood, leaving school behind while navigating the complexities of life. His budding romance with a young woman (Alexandra Khromova) adds a tinge of romance to the narrative, yet it does not shield him from the drudgeries of everyday existence, such as working at a cassette shop.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) find themselves embracing parenthood. Vovkaβs trademark cocky demeanor persists as he juggles the responsibilities of providing for his family through dubious methods.
- Ilya (Fedor Roshchin), a character plagued by internal turmoil, now pursues physical self-enhancement, adding a layer of dramatic complexity to his portrayal.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to her hometown, but she brings along her fiancΓ© (Fedor Fedotov), a twist that catches her friends completely off-guard.
The family issues surrounding Sanyka take center stage, with his mother (Ksenia Katalymova) facing arrest for financial misconduct, while his father (Stepan Devonin) desperately clings to hope for assistance from a former partner, who may not be who he seems.
Criminal Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The screenwriters have boldly decided to foreground Tula as the setting of this season. Following the aftermath of previous seasons, the city has transformedβmany notorious figures from the criminal underworld have perished, prompting creators to introduce new characters and even "bring back" some old ones.
Viewers can look forward to the unexpected reappearance of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose deaths in the prior season appeared definitive. This time, the writers have devised a more plausible explanation for their survival, injecting fresh intrigue and dynamism into the plot.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
The musical score remains one of the series' strongest elements. Mujusβ compositions beautifully convey the anxious yet hopeful atmosphere of the time. Additionally, the inclusion of '90s hits stirs a wave of nostalgia. Notably, the album "Marine" by the band "Mumiy Troll" manages to release a year earlier than its actual timeline, surprising viewers with its nostalgic tunes.
A Slow Start or Calm Before the Storm?
Unlike previous seasons, the third installment kicks off with a comparatively leisurely pace. Nonetheless, a sense of tension is palpable from the initial episodes. The question remains: will the creators maintain this rhythm, or will they plunge the characters into a whirlwind of exhilarating and treacherous adventures as they have done before?
The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" serves as a polished continuation of a narrative centered on growing up, the hardships of decision-making, and the essence of the challenging '90s. Despite some controversial plot choices, this project undeniably stands out as one of the finest examples of contemporary Russian cinema. The intrigue, pacing, and emotional depth make this series a must-watch for anyone who appreciates drama intertwined with historical context.