Explore the Third Season 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 Fyodorov
Rating: 8 out of 10
The series "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" has captivated audiences for a long time, owing to its delicate balance of nostalgia for the tumultuous 90s and an enthralling, multilayered narrative. The premiere of the third season on the online platform Premier once again plunges viewers into the ambiance of provincial Russia in the mid-90s, but this time it is through the lens of the characters' maturation.
Characters Mature, Complications Increase
At the heart of the storyline is a restless group of friends who, despite the passage of two years, continue to find themselves entangled in the most unexpected situations. The new season unfolds in the summer of 1996, a time that signifies a new chapter in the lives of the characters.
- Sanka (Egor Gubarev) has left his school days behind and is grappling with the complexities of adult life. His new romantic involvement with Dasha (Alexandra Khlomova) adds a sweet touch to the narrative; however, it fails to shield him from the day-to-day struggles, such as working in a tape kiosk.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have embraced parenthood. Maintaining his characteristic bravado, Vovka is desperate to provide for his family but often resorts to dubious methods.
- Ilya (Fyodor Roshchin), who carries an unstable internal world, has become obsessed with physical self-improvement, lending an added layer of drama to his character.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to her hometown, not alone but accompanied by her fiancΓ© (Fyodor Fedotov), startling her friends and changing the dynamics among them.
Family issues surrounding Sanka emerge as a central narrative thread. His mother (Ksenia Katalymova) faces arrest due to financial embezzlement, while his father (Stepan Devoinin) hopes to receive assistance from an old partner who may not be quite what he seems.
Criminal Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The screenwriters have chosen to cast aside subtle hints, clearly setting the action in Tula. Following the events of the first two seasons, the city undergoes noticeable transformations: many key figures in the criminal underworld have perished, prompting the creators to introduce fresh characters and even resurrect previous ones.
To the audience's surprise, the returns of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitya (Nikita Pavlenko), whose demises appeared absolute in the prior season, are accounted for in a manner that is far more credible this time around, injecting intrigue and momentum into the storyline.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
The musical score continues to stand as one of the series' strongest features. The compositions by Mujus deftly capture the mood of an era that is both uncertain yet hopeful. Moreover, hits from the 90s that evoke nostalgia resonate throughout, with special emphasis on the album "Morskaya" by the band "Mumiy Troll," which, in a twist of artistic license, is released a year earlier than it did in reality.
A Slow Start or Calm Before the Storm?
In contrast to the previous seasons, the third installment kicks off with a relatively slow pacing. Nevertheless, the tension is palpable from the very first episodes. The pivotal question is whether the creators will maintain this rhythm or, as established norms suggest, plunge the characters into a torrent of thrilling yet perilous adventures.
The third season of "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" serves as a commendable continuation of the tale surrounding maturity, the struggles of decision-making, and the spirit of the challenging 90s. Despite a few contentious narrative choices, the project remains one of the finest examples of modern Russian cinema. Intrigue, dynamic storytelling, and emotional depth render this series a must-watch for anyone who appreciates drama interwoven with historical undertones.