Season Three Review of 'World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!'
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 its viewers, thanks to its delicate balance between nostalgia for the tumultuous 90s and an engaging, layered storyline. With the premiere of its third season on the Premier online platform, audiences are once again transported to the profound atmosphere of provincial Russia in the mid-90s, yet this time it’s through the lens of the characters’ maturation.
Growing Characters and Complicated Problems
At the heart of this season lies a restless group of friends who, despite the passing of two years, find themselves embroiled in unexpected situations once more. Set against the backdrop of the summer of 1996, this timeframe symbolically marks a new chapter in their lives.
- Sanya (Egor Gubarev) has left his school days behind and grapples with the complexity of adult life. His budding romance with Dasha (Alexandra Khromova) adds a touch of sweetness to the narrative, yet the daily grind—working at a cassette shop—presents its own set of challenges.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) are navigating the tumultuous waters of young parenthood. Vovka, ever the self-assured character, strives to support his family, although his methods could raise eyebrows.
- Ilya (Fyodor Roshchin), embodying a tumultuous inner world, has become engrossed in physical self-improvement, adding layers of drama to his character.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to her hometown, not alone but with her fiancé Vanya (Fyodor Fedotov), providing an unexpected twist for her friends.
Sanya’s family issues take center stage, particularly with his mother (Ksenia Katalymova) arrested for financial fraud, while his father (Stepan Devonin) leans on an old partner for assistance, who may not be as reliable as he looks.
The Criminal Underbelly of Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The writers have boldly eliminated the veiled allusions from previous episodes, explicitly placing the action in Tula. In the aftermath of the first two seasons, the city has transformed; many key figures in the criminal undertow have met untimely ends, prompting the creators to introduce new characters and even "resurrect" some old ones.
Viewers are in for a surprise with the unexpected return of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose deaths in the previous season seemed definitive. This time, the writers have crafted a more believable reason for their continuation, enriching the narrative with intrigue and excitement.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
The musical accompaniment remains one of the series’ strongest suits. The compositions by Mujus artfully encapsulate the anxious yet hopeful spirit of the time. Iconic hits from the 90s stir memories of days gone by, with a particular emphasis on the album "Morskaya" by the band "Mumiy Troll," which, despite historical inaccuracies, is released a year early in the series timeline.
A Slow Start or the Calm Before the Storm?
Unlike previous seasons, the third installment kickstarts with a comparatively slow burn. However, the tension is palpable from the outset. The question remains: will the creators sustain this pace or, as precedents suggest, thrust the characters into a maelstrom of thrilling yet perilous adventures?
The third season of "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" is a robust continuation in the narrative of maturation, difficult choices, and the vibrating essence of the complicated 90s. Despite some controversial plot decisions, the project stands as a testament to modern Russian cinema at its finest. The intrigue, pace, and emotional complexity render this series a must-see for anyone who appreciates drama infused with historical significance.