Explore Season Three 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
Key Cast: Egor Gubarev, Valentina Lyapina, Yuri Borisov, Nikita Pavlenko, Evgeny Tkachenko, Viktor Sukhorukov, and others.
The third season of the beloved series "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" has finally arrived, serving as a long-awaited continuation of the cherished 90s teen saga. This time, the story unfolds during the summer of 1996, and the characters have aged two years, facing new challenges and formidable tests.
The Adolescents' Transition: A New Chapter of Life
While the core characters remain familiar, the past two years have brought them noticeable transformations:
- Sanka (Egor Gubarev) has graduated from school and now sells cassettes from a kiosk. He embarks on a fresh chapter that includes budding romantic feelings for a new girlfriend.
- Volka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have crossed into parenthood, with Volka taking drastic measures to provide for his family, diving into risky ventures.
- Ilya (Fedor Roshchin), always slightly eccentric, now seeks physical perfection to redefine himself.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) reappears in town with her fiancé, which surprises and stuns her friends.
Meanwhile, Sanka’s parents face their own dramas; his mother finds herself behind bars for financial shenanigans, while his father clings to the hope that Vitalik (Arthur Beschastny), as usual, will navigate the perils of the law.
A Rich Criminal Narrative
The creators of the series delve into the criminal underbelly of Tula with a fresh perspective. Although many key players from the city’s illicit schemes met their fate in season two, the writers have introduced new characters, and some supposed casualties make an unexpected return.
The return of Alik (Yuri Borisov) and Vit'k (Nikita Pavlenko) stirs mixed emotions: their "resurrection" feels more believable this time, yet it remains an undeniably dramatic twist. Once again, the adolescents find themselves at the heart of it all, unwittingly swept into a whirlwind of crime.
Soundtrack – The Soul of the Series
Music continues to play an essential role, enriching the narrative with a unique atmosphere. The soundtrack features a delightful array of:
- 90s hits that promptly transport viewers back to the era.
- Mуджус's music, stirring up the era’s anxious inspirations.
- The album "Marine" by the band "Mumiy Troll," which is interwoven into the plot as if it had already been released prior to its actual debut.
This musical accompaniment adds layers of depth and emotion to the plotlines, reflecting the spirit of change and instability emblematic of the 90s era.
Dynamics and Intrigue: What to Expect from Season Three?
At the onset, the initial episodes of season three may seem slow-paced compared to earlier ones; however, this is merely an illusion. The tension escalates with each scene, and the familiar rapid pace that characterizes the series soon returns.
The writers deftly walk the tightrope between absurdity and realism, compelling viewers to root for the protagonists despite their flaws and poor decisions. Will the show maintain its gripping tension until the very end? Or are we set for another dizzying rollercoaster of events?
End: Why You Should Watch?
The third season of "Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" continues to stand out as one of the most vibrant examples of nostalgic cinema focused on the 90s. It successfully combines:
- Colorful characters that audiences have come to adore for their authenticity and charm.
- An era's atmosphere vividly depicted through sets, music, and costumes.
- A continually engaging plot that keeps viewers on edge, all while maintaining a light touch.
This season represents another step toward grasping the idea that for the heroes, "little has been lived, yet so much has been experienced." It comes highly recommended for anyone eager to revisit the 90s or simply to savor a quality Russian series.