Explore Season Three of 'Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!'
"Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" - Season Three: A Journey of Growth and Resilience
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 eagerly awaited third season of the series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" brings back the beloved tale of 90s teenagers. This time, set during the summer of 1996, the protagonists have matured over the two-year gap, grappling with fresh challenges and trials.
Coming of Age: A New Chapter in Their Lives
While the main characters remain familiar, the changes that have occurred in their lives over the past two years are striking:
- Sanya (Egor Gubarev) has graduated from school and is now running a cassette stall. He embarks on a new chapter, marked by new romantic entanglements with a fresh love interest.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have welcomed parenthood, with Vovka diving into dubious ventures to provide for his family.
- Ilya (Fedor Roshchin), once the peculiar oddball, now seeks physical perfection, reflecting his inner struggles and aspirations.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) surprises her friends with a visit, accompanied by her fiancΓ©, stirring the pot of their friendship.
Meanwhile, Sanya's parents are ensnared in their own dramas: his mother faces imprisonment due to financial wrongdoings, while his father's only hope rests with Vitalik (Artur Beschetny), a man who continuously walks the line of legality.
A Gripping Criminal Underbelly
The creators of the series delve into the criminal underworld of Tula with renewed vigor. While many prominent figures in the criminal schemes met their demise in the second season, the writers introduce new faces, and some presumed-dead characters unexpectedly resurface.
The return of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitya (Nikita Pavlenko) evokes mixed feelings among fans: their resurrection feels more plausible this time, yet remains an undeniably dramatic twist. Once again, the teenagers find themselves entangled in the chaos, inadvertently caught up in a whirlwind of crime.
Soundtrack - The Soul of the Series
The music once more plays a pivotal role, infusing the narrative with a distinctive vibe. The soundtrack features:
- 90's hits that envelop viewers in the spirit of the era.
- Mujus's music, designed to resonate with the anxious inspiration of the time.
- The album "Seaside" by the band "Mumiy Troll", which is woven ingeniously into the plot, as if it released prior to its actual debut.
The musical backdrop enhances the emotional depth of the story, capturing the essence of the tumultuous 90s.
Dynamics and Intrigue: What to Expect from Season Three?
At first glance, the opening episodes of the third season might feel sluggish compared to the previous installments, but this impression proves deceptive. Tension builds with every passing scene, returning the series to its signature fast-paced rhythm.
The writers skillfully tread the line between absurdity and realism, inviting viewers to empathize with the characters despite their flaws and mistakes. Will the series maintain this tension through the finale? Or are we in for another twist of dizzying events?
End: Why You Should Tune In?
The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" continues to shine as one of the most vibrant examples of nostalgia-drenched cinema depicting the 90s. It masterfully blends elements such as:
- Colorful characters that resonate with audiences through their authenticity and charm.
- An immersive atmosphere, artfully recreated through set designs, music, and costumes.
- A plot that consistently keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, all while maintaining a lighthearted narrative tone.
This season marks another stride toward illuminating the reality that in the lives of the characters, there's "little lived, but much endured." It comes highly recommended for those eager to re-experience the 90s or simply seeking quality Russian cinema.