Exploring the Third Season of Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum
"Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" – Season Three: How Little Lived, How Much Experienced
Rating: 8 out of 10
Release Date: May 4, 2023
Director: Anton Fyodorov
Starring: Yegor Gubarev, Valentina Lyapina, Yuri Borisov, Nikita Pavlenko, Evgeny Tkachu, Viktor Sukhorukov and more.
The third season of the series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" boldly returns, continuing the cherished narrative of 90s adolescence. This time, the story unfolds during the summer of 1996, showcasing the beloved characters who have aged two years and now confront fresh challenges and trials.
Growing Up: A New Chapter in Life
While the main characters remain familiar, each of them has undergone significant transformations over the two-year interval:
- Sanka (Yegor Gubarev) has graduated from school and started selling cassettes at a kiosk. His life embarks on a new trajectory, which includes romantic entanglements with a new girlfriend.
- Vovka (Yegor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have embraced parenthood, with Vovka getting involved in dubious ventures to provide for his family.
- Ilya (Fyodor Roshchin), always perceived as a bit eccentric, now aspires to achieve physical perfection.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) arrives in town with her fiancé, creating a stir among her friends.
Amidst this backdrop, Sanka's parents grapple with their own dramas: his mother finds herself incarcerated due to financial fraud, while his father clings to the hope that Vitalik (Arthur Beschastny) will rescue them, perpetually teetering on the edge of legality.
A Rich Tapestry of Crime
The show’s writers delve into the criminal underbelly of Tula, unearthing it from a fresh perspective. Even though many key figures involved in the criminal network perished in the second season, new characters emerge, while some old faces that were presumed dead make surprising comebacks.
The return of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko) evokes mixed feelings; their resurrection appears more plausible this time but remains a dramatic twist. As always, the teens find themselves entangled in a whirlwind of crime, inadvertently swept up in a torrent of chaotic events.
The Soundtrack – The Heart of the Series
Music once again serves as a critical element, imbuing the narrative with a unique atmosphere. The soundtrack features:
- Iconic hits from the 90s that transport viewers back to that era.
- The music of Mudzhus, styled with a sense of the times’ unsettling inspiration.
- The album "Morskaya" by the band "Mumiy Troll," which, within the show's storyline, is said to have been released ahead of its actual timeline.
This musical backdrop adds layers of depth and emotion to the unfolding stories, encapsulating the essence of change and instability inherent in the 90s.
Dynamics and Intrigue: What to Expect from Season Three?
Initially, the first episodes of the third season may feel sluggish compared to their predecessors; however, this is merely an illusion. The tension escalates with every sequence, and before long, the series resumes its trademark rapid pace.
The writers deftly tread the line between absurdity and realism, compelling viewers to empathize with the characters, flaws and all. Will the series maintain its suspense right up until the finale? Or are we poised for another dizzying turn of events?
Finale: Why You Should Watch
The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" stands out as a vivid exemplar of nostalgic cinema celebrating the 90s. It brilliantly interweaves:
- Colorful characters that audiences have grown to adore for their authenticity and charm.
- The spirit of the era, conveyed through set designs, music, and costumes.
- A narrative that consistently keeps viewers on edge, all while maintaining a light-hearted delivery.
In essence, this season serves as a further exploration of the notion that in the lives of its characters, there is "little lived, but much experienced." It comes highly recommended for anyone desiring to revisit the 90s or simply revel in a quality Russian series.