Exploring Season Three of World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!
Review of the Third Season of the Series "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!": The Spirit of the 90s, Coming of Age, and the Inevitability of Change
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fedorov
Rating: 8 out of 10
The beloved series World! Friendship! Chewing Gum! has enchanted audiences with its delicate balance between the nostalgic sentiments evoked by the turbulent 90s and its captivating, multi-layered narrative. The premiere of the third season, which graced the streaming platform Premier, invites viewers back into the provincial essence of mid-90s Russia but now offers fresh perspectives through the lens of the characters’ maturation.
Characters Evolve, Problems Intensify
At the heart of the story remains the lively band of friends who, despite the passage of two whole years, continue to find themselves embroiled in the most unexpected scenarios. Set against the backdrop of the summer of 1996, this new season symbolically marks the beginning of a significant chapter in the protagonists’ lives.
- Sanya (Egor Gubarev) has waved goodbye to his school days and is venturing into the harsh realities of adult life. His burgeoning romance with a girl named Alexandra (Alexandra Khromova) adds a delightful romantic tinge to the narrative, yet does little to shield him from mundane predicaments like his job in a cassette shop.
- On the other hand, Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Mala (Polina Gukhman) have embraced the challenges of young parenthood. Vovka, ever the self-assured individual he has always been, grapples with the responsibility of providing for his family through dubious means.
- Ilya (Fedor Roschin), characterized by a tumultuous inner life, is now focused on physical self-improvement, injecting a heavier dose of drama into his narrative arc.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to her hometown not alone, but accompanied by her fiancé Fedor (Fedor Fedotov), a twist that catches her friends off-guard.
The series also delves into Sanya’s family issues, which take center stage. His mother (Kseniya Katalymova) faces incarceration for financial misdeeds, while his father (Stepan Devonin) is clinging to the hope of assistance from an old business partner, who may not be who he appears.
Criminal Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The writers, opting for a more direct narrative approach, explicitly establish Tula as the setting. As the plot unfolds, the city has undergone transformations since the events of the previous seasons, with many key figures from the criminal underworld having met their demise, prompting creators to introduce fresh characters and even 'resurrect' familiar faces.
The audience is in for a surprise as characters Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko) return, their past deaths seemingly conclusive. This time, the writers have made strides in justifying the characters' unexpected survival, adding layers of intrigue and dynamism to the ongoing saga.
Soundtrack: The Voice of a Generation
The show's music continues to stand as one of its strongest pillars. The compositions by Mujus beautifully encapsulate the spirit of a times fraught with anxiety yet rife with hope. Adding to the nostalgic atmosphere are the iconic hits of the 90s, reigniting cherished memories. Noteworthy is the inclusion of the album "Sea" by the band Mumiy Troll, which, in a clever twist, is released a year ahead of its actual timeline.
A Slow Start or the Calm Before the Storm?
In contrast to its predecessors, the third season begins on a slower note, exhibiting a gradual buildup of events. However, a palpable tension is felt from the very first episodes. The looming question remains whether the creators will maintain this pace or, as in prior seasons, thrust the characters into a whirlwind of thrilling and perilous escapades.
The third season of World! Friendship! Chewing Gum! serves as a remarkable continuation of the tale surrounding growth, the complexities of choice, and the spirit of the challenging 90s. Despite some debatable narrative decisions, this project stays true to being one of the finest representations of contemporary Russian cinema. With its captivating intrigue, dynamic sequences, and emotional depth, the series is a must-watch for anyone who treasures drama with a historical context.