Season Three Insights of 'World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!'
Review of Season Three of "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!": The Spirit of the 90s, Growing Up, 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 long captured the hearts of viewers, thanks to its delicate blend of nostalgia for the turbulent 90s and its captivating, multi-layered storytelling. The third season, which premiered on the online platform Premier, plunges us once again into the atmospheric setting of provincial Russia in the mid-90s, but this time, it’s through the lens of the characters’ maturation.
The Characters Mature, and Challenges Intensify
At the core of the narrative is an irrepressible group of friends who, despite the passing of two years, find themselves entangled in the most unexpected situations. The events of the new season unfold in the summer of 1996, symbolically marking the commencement of the next chapter in their lives.
- Sanya (Egor Gubarev) has left school behind and is struggling to navigate the complexities of adult life. His budding romance with a girl (Alexandra Khlomova) adds a romantic flair to the storyline, yet it doesn’t shield him from the mundane challenges, like working in a stall selling cassette tapes.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have stepped into the role of young parents. Vovka, ever the confident character, strives to provide for his family but opts for dubious means to do so.
- Ilya (Fedor Roshchin), a character marked by an unstable inner world, becomes preoccupied with physical self-improvement, which adds drama to his persona.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to her hometown, not alone but with a fiancé (Fedor Fedotov), surprising her friends with this unexpected turn of events.
Sanya's family troubles also take center stage. His mother (Ksenia Katalymova) is arrested for financial fraud, while his father (Stepan Devonin) clings to hope for assistance from a former partner, who might turn out to be something other than what he seems.
Criminal Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The writers have chosen to drop any veiled references and clearly place Tula as the narrative’s backdrop. Following the events of the first two seasons, the city undergoes transformations: many of the key figures in the criminal underworld have perished, prompting the creators to introduce new characters and even "resurrect" previous ones.
Anticipation builds as viewers witness the unexpected returns of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose deaths in the prior season seemed definitive. This time, the writers have made their survival much more believable, adding intrigue and momentum to the plot’s progression.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
The musical score continues to stand out as one of the strongest features of the series. Compositions by Mujus expertly convey the mood of an era that is both alarming and filled with hope. Additionally, the inclusion of 90s hits evokes a wave of nostalgia. Special attention is given to the album "Sea" by the band "Mumiy Troll," released a year ahead of its actual chronological timeline.
Slow Start or Calm Before the Storm?
In contrast to earlier seasons, the third installment begins at a relatively slow pace. Nonetheless, tension is palpable from the initial episodes. The pressing question remains: will the creators maintain this tempo, or will they, as usual, immerse the characters in a whirlwind of thrilling and perilous adventures?
The third season of "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" serves as a quality continuation of the narrative centered around growing up, the difficulty of choices, and the spirit of the challenging 90s. Despite certain controversial plot decisions, the series remains one of the finest examples of contemporary Russian cinema. Intrigue, dynamism, and emotional depth render this show a must-watch for everyone who appreciates drama steeped in historical context.