Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum! Season 3 Review
Rating: 8 out of 10
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov
Starring: Egor Gubarev, Valentina Lyapina, Yuri Borisov, Nikita Pavlenko, Evgeny Tkachuk, Viktor Sukhorukov, among others.
The eagerly awaited third season of the series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" serves as a stunning continuation of a beloved narrative centered around 90s teen life. This time, the plot unfolds during the summer of 1996, with our familiar characters having aged two years, facing new challenges and trials that life tosses their way.
The Characters’ Coming of Age: A New Chapter
As the protagonists age, they each undergo significant transformations during these two years:
- Sanya (Egor Gubarev) has graduated from school and finds himself selling cassette tapes at a kiosk. His life is on a new trajectory that includes budding romantic relationships with a new girlfriend.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have embraced parenthood, but Vovka, driven by the need to provide for his family, gets entangled in dubious schemes.
- Ilya (Fyodor Roschin), who has always walked slightly off the beaten path, now pursues physical perfection, indicating new personal battles and growth.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) arrives in town with her fiancé, which surprises her friends and adds a fresh dynamic to their already complicated relationships.
Meanwhile, Sanya's parents engage in their own dramas: his mother lands in prison due to financial scams, while his father is desperately hoping for salvation through Vitalik (Arthur Beshchastny), who continues his precarious dance along the edges of legality.
A Gripping Crime Subplot
The creators delve into Toboul’s criminal underbelly, presenting it from an innovative perspective. Following the loss of several prominent criminals in the previous season, fresh characters emerge alongside retrievable survivors who initially seemed to meet their end.
The unexpected return of Alyk (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko) elicits mixed feelings: their comeback, while more plausible this time, remains a dramatic plot device. Yet, just as in the past, the teenagers unwittingly find themselves at the heart of turbulent events, further highlighting their entrapment in the ever-spinning vortex of crime.
The Soundtrack — The Soul of the Series
Once again, music plays a pivotal role, infusing the narrative with an inimitable atmosphere. The soundtrack features:
- Iconic hits from the 90s that completely immerse viewers in the era's vibe.
- The music of Mujus, which echoes the somber inspirations of that time.
- The album "Morskaya" by the band "Mumiy Troll," which, according to the storyline, was released ahead of its real-world counterpart.
This soundtrack enriches the narrative threads, mirroring the spirit of change and instability so characteristic of the 90s period.
Dynamics and Intrigue: What to Anticipate in Season Three?
Initially, the early episodes of the third season may appear slow-paced compared to their predecessors, but that’s just a façade. The tension escalates with each scene, restoring the rapid tempo that fans have come to expect from the series.
The writers expertly juggle absurdity with realism, allowing viewers to empathize with the characters despite their flawed choices. Will this season sustain its high-stakes suspense until the very end? Or are we in for another whirlwind of dizzying developments?
The End: Why You Should Watch
The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" remains a standout example of nostalgic cinema centered on the tumultuous 90s. It artfully combines:
- Vivid characters that audiences have come to love for their authenticity and charm.
- An evocative atmosphere that captures the essence of the era through meticulous set design, music, and costume selection.
- A storyline that perpetuates tension, all while maintaining a light-hearted delivery.
This season offers yet another step toward understanding that, in the protagonists’ lives, "little has been lived, yet so much has been experienced." It comes highly recommended for anyone wishing to dive back into the captivating 90s or simply enjoy a quality Russian television drama.