Exploring Season Three of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!"
"Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" - Season Three: How Little Has Been Lived, How Much Has Been Experienced
Rating: 8 out of 10
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov
Main Cast: Egor Gubarev, Valentina Lyapina, Yuri Borisov, Nikita Pavlenko, Evgeny Tkachenko, Viktor Sukhorukov, and others.
The third season of the cherished series, "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" returns to the screen, filling the void with its rich narrative about the lives of adolescents navigating the complexities of the 1990s. Set in the summer of 1996, the main characters have aged two years and are thrust into a maze of new challenges and trials.
Growing Up: A New Chapter in Life
While the core group remains familiar, each character has significantly evolved over the last two years:
- Sanka (Egor Gubarev) has graduated from school and is now selling tapes at a kiosk. His life is entering a new chapter, complete with budding romantic relationships with a new girlfriend.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have embarked on parenthood. In his quest to support his family, Vovka gets entangled in dubious escapades.
- Ilya (Fedor Roshchin), always a bit of an oddball, is now on a quest for physical perfection.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) arrives in town with her fiancé, shocking her closest friends.
On the home front, Sanka's parents find themselves embroiled in their own dramas. His mother faces imprisonment for financial fraud, while his father clings to the hope that Vitalik (Artur Beschatny), a character always teetering on the edge of legality, can rescue them.
A Rich Criminal Undertone
The show's creators delve into the criminal underbelly of Tula, shedding new light on the city's criminal facet. Although many key players in the criminal affairs met their demise in the second season, fresh characters are introduced, while some presumed deceased make astonishing comebacks.
The return of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko) stirs a tableau of emotions; their "resurrection" appears more plausible this time, yet it remains a dramatic twist. As always, the teenagers inadvertently find themselves plunged into the heart of the criminal maelstrom, becoming part of the chaotic whirlwind.
Soundtrack - The Soul of the Series
Music once again takes center stage, crafting a unique atmosphere for the narrative. The soundtrack features:
- Classic hits from the 90s that immerse viewers in the era.
- The evocative sounds of Mujus, channeling the anxiety and inspiration of the time.
- The album "Morskaya" by the group Mumiy Troll, which, within the framework of the series, is made to appear as if it was released before its actual date.
The musical backdrop infuses depth and emotional resonance to the storylines, reflecting the spirit of change and instability characteristic of the 90s.
Dynamics and Intrigue: What to Expect from Season Three?
At first glance, the opening episodes of the third season may come off as sluggish compared to their predecessors, but this is merely an illusion. The tension steadily intensifies with each scene, and soon the familiar brisk pace returns to the series.
The writers masterfully teeter on the brink of absurdity and realism, compelling the audience to empathize with the characters, despite their flaws and mishaps. Will the series maintain its thrilling momentum right up to the finale? Or are we in for another twist of dizzying events?
End: Why You Should Watch
The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" remains a striking emblem of nostalgic cinema focused on the 90s, combining:
- Vivid characters that viewers cherish for their authenticity and charm.
- An era-appropriate atmosphere conveyed through sets, music, and costumes.
- A gripping narrative that keeps the audience on their toes, despite the light-hearted delivery.
This season provides another step toward realizing that, for the characters, while little has been lived, much has been experienced. It's highly recommended for anyone wishing to revisit the 90s or simply enjoy top-notch Russian television.