Exploring Season Three of 'World! Friendship! Bubblegum!'

Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov
Rating: 8 out of 10

The series "World! Friendship! Bubblegum!" has long captured the hearts of its audience, striking a delicate balance between nostalgia for the tumultuous 90s and an engaging, layered narrative. With the premiere of its third season on the online platform Premier, the show plunges us once again into the atmosphere of provincial Russia during the mid-90s, yet this time through the lens of the characters’ maturation.

Characters Grow Up, Complications Arise

At the heart of the story remains a boisterous group of friends who continue to be swept up in unexpected situations, despite the two years that have passed since we last caught up with them. Set during the summer of 1996, this new season symbolically marks the dawn of a transformative phase for these characters.

• Sanya (Egor Gubarev) has moved past his school days and is grappling with the intricate challenges of adult life. His budding romance with a girl (Alexandra Khromova) adds a romantic layer to the narrative, but does little to shield him from daily hardship, such as working at a cassette shop.
• Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) embrace the role of new parents. Vovka, with his characteristic bravado, strives to provide for his family using questionable methods, showcasing the ethical dilemmas faced by young adults thrust into parenthood.
• Ilya (Fyodor Roshchin), a character wrestling with his own turmoil, has taken to physical self-improvement, infusing his arc with a greater sense of dramatic weight.
• Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) makes a surprising return to her hometown, this time not alone but accompanied by her fiancé (Fyodor Fedotov), introducing an unexpected twist that disrupts her friends’ lives.

Sanya's familial troubles also serve as a central narrative thread. His mother (Ksenia Katalymova) finds herself in legal troubles due to financial misconduct, while his father (Stepan Devonin) seeks assistance from an old business partner, who may not be what he seems.

The Crime-Ridden Tula: A Whirlwind of Events

The scriptwriters have decided to shed vague implications and directly reference Tula as the setting for this season. Following the events of the first two seasons, the city has experienced a notable transformation: many key figures from the criminal underworld have perished, necessitating the introduction of new characters and even the resurrection of familiar faces.

In a surprising twist, audiences will witness the unexpected comeback of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose demises in the previous season were thought to be final. This time, the writers have crafted a more believable rationale for their survival, injecting intrigue and fresh dynamics into the evolving plot.

Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era

The musical accompaniment remains one of the strongest aspects of the series. The compositions by Mujus skillfully encapsulate the mood of an era both anxious and full of hope. Additionally, hits from the 90s sprinkle nostalgia throughout the episodes. Notably, the album "Morskaya" by the band Mumiy Troll appears early in the timeline, despite its actual release being a year later, adding a touch of historical playfulness.

A Slow Start or the Calm Before the Storm?

In contrast to its predecessors, the third season kicks off with a comparatively slow pacing. Yet, there's an undercurrent of tension that pervades the initial episodes. The question arises: will the creators maintain this tempo, or as has been the trend, thrust the characters into a whirlwind of exhilarating and perilous escapades?

In Summary

Season three of "World! Friendship! Bubblegum!" is a quality continuation of the narrative surrounding maturation, the challenging nature of choices, and the spirit of the complex 90s. Despite a few controversial plot decisions, this project stands as one of the finest examples of modern Russian cinema. The intrigue, dynamic pacing, and emotional depth render this series a must-watch for anyone who appreciates a drama rich in historical context.