Exploring Season Three of 'World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!'
Review of Season Three of the Series "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 affections of its audience with a delicate balance between nostalgia for the turbulent 90s and an engaging, layered narrative. The premiere of the third season on the online platform Premier once again immerses viewers in the atmosphere of provincial Russia during the mid-90s, but this time, it comes through the lens of the main characters maturing and evolving.
Characters Mature, Complications Intensify
At the heart of the storyline remains a restless group of friends, whose misadventures continue despite the passing of two years. The new season unfolds in the summer of 1996, which poetically aligns with a turning point in the characters’ lives.
- Sanyka (Egor Gubarev) has left school behind and grapples with shaping his adult life. His budding romantic relationship with a girl (Alexandra Khlomova) introduces a romantic flair to the narrative, yet doesn’t shield him from the trials of daily life, such as working at a cassette stand.
- Vovka (Egor Abramov) and Malaya (Polina Gukhman) have become young parents. Vovka, maintaining his trademark arrogance, fights to provide for his family but often resorts to dubious means.
- Ilya (Fedor Roshchin), a character with a tumultuous inner world, is now obsessed with physical self-improvement, which adds a layer of drama to his persona.
- Zhenya (Valentina Lyapina) returns to her hometown not alone but with her fiancé (Fedor Fedotov), bringing unexpected twists to her friends’ lives.
Sanyka’s family issues form a central arc. His mother (Ksenia Katalymova) faces arrest due to financial fraud, while his father (Stepan Devoinin) seeks help from a former partner, who may not be what he seems.
Criminal Tula: A Whirlwind of Events
The writers have chosen to eschew subtle hints, explicitly identifying Tula as the setting. Following the events of the first two seasons, the town undergoes noticeable transformations: many key players in the criminal underworld have met their demise, prompting the introduction of new characters and even the "resurrection" of some past ones.
Viewers can anticipate the unexpected return of Alek (Yuri Borisov) and Vitka (Nikita Pavlenko), whose deaths in the previous season appeared final. This time, the writers have worked to justify their survival far more plausibly, adding layers of intrigue and excitement to the plot's progression.
Soundtrack: The Voice of an Era
The music continues to stand as one of the series’ strongest suits. The compositions by Mujus excellently capture the essence of an era that is both anxious and filled with hope. Hits from the 90s resound throughout, stirring nostalgia among viewers. Special attention is devoted to the album "Morskaya" by the band
A Slow Start or A Calm Before the Storm?
Diverging from previous seasons, the third installment begins at a relatively leisurely pace. Nonetheless, tension is palpable from the very first episodes. The pivotal question remains: will the creators maintain this tempo or will they once again plunge the characters into a maelstrom of gripping and perilous escapades?
The third season of "World! Friendship! Chewing Gum!" serves as a high-quality continuation of a story about growing up, the challenges of making choices, and the indomitable spirit of the less-than-simple 90s. Despite some controversial plot decisions, the project solidifies its status as one of the prime examples of contemporary Russian cinema. The intrigue, dynamism, and emotional depth render the series a must-watch for anyone who appreciates a drama enriched with historical context.