“Stranger Things” Season 3 Review by Michael Winkler
July 16, 2019 6:12 pm |
Stranger Things makes a powerful return to Netflix with its third season. Matt and Ross Duffer are the imaginative and talented tandem behind the story that is “Stranger Things”. The Duffer Brothers do not disappoint with their most recent installment of this series, which has become a household name. Stranger Things 3 is set in 1985 and picks up about nine months after the conclusion of season two. The group thinks they have defeated the enemy, but they are in for a rude awakening when the “Mind Flayer” makes a strong return to the quiet town of Hawkins. Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), and the rest of the gang must work together to try and put an end to this seemingly unbeatable force.
Season 3 splits the characters into three main groups for the better portion of the story. One group includes Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), Will (Noah Schnapp), Max (Sadie Sink), and Eleven. A lot has changed for these young teens since the last season, including Mike dating Eleven and Lucas dating Max. These scenes add for some very awkward and funny situations. Overall, this group must try to take out the Mind Flayer, which has taken refuge inside the body of Max’s older brother Billy (Dacre Montgomery). Dacre Montgomery takes this role and delivers an amazing performance. Dacre is on record stating that he took inspiration from Jack Nicholson in “The Shining” to model Billy after. There are scenes this season that put those inspirations on display. Will realizes the threat is back through a sort of sense that he has acquired after all he has been through in seasons one and two. When the kids team up and get down to business, it’s pretty impossible to stop such a dynamic squad. Millie Bobby Brown does such a wonderful job this season as “Eleven or Elle”. Brown’s ability to convey emotion without dialogue is one of the more talented aspects of her acting portfolio. Throughout the series, we follow the gang on adventures including; mall trips, break ups, monster fights, firework displays, grocery store surgery, and much more. This cast of young men and women go above and beyond for this series and deserve all of the attention they are receiving across the world.
Another group that is followed includes Steve (Joe Keery) and new character Robin (Maya Hawke), who work at “Scoops Ahoy” (an ice cream shop in the new mall) as well as Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) and Erica (Priah Ferguson). After Dustin picks up a Russian code being transmitted over his new radio, he brings the info to Steve for assistance. Steve has so much trouble, that his coworker Robin decides to join in on the fun. Once they crack the code, the three locate a vent in which leads to the secret Russian storage facility. There is one problem. Nobody can fit. Enters Erica (Lucas’ Sister). Erica is a sassy loudmouth who knows how to get exactly what she wants. After infiltrating the secret storeroom, the four of them find themselves in a secret Russian underground lair underneath the “Starcourt Mall”. Loaded with tons of laughs and some very good acting from everyone in this foursome, they still manage to find themselves in quite serious situations. Hawke did such a wonderful job as Robin. Her natural acting abilities and instincts shine through opposite someone as talented as Joe Keery. Matarazzo and Ferguson also work together very well. Without giving too much away, these two do a lot of infiltration and sneaking. The movie “Die Hard” influences scenes for Erica specifically.
The last group of significant characters includes Jim Hopper (David Harbour), Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder), Dr. Alexei (Alex Utgoff), and Murray Bauman (Brett Gelman). After Joyce and Hopper find themselves attacked when they visit the now shutdown Hawkins Lab, they realize that there is indeed foul play and something must be done. Hopper and Joyce locate one of the Russian bunkers that are spread throughout the town of Hawkins and make away with head scientist Alexei. Once they have Alexei in custody, they track down Murray in an attempt to have a translator so they can stop the Russians from re-opening the upside down. Alexei and Murray are such a treat. The on-screen chemistry between these two characters is undeniable. They know exactly how to riff off one another to achieve excellence during takes. Hopper and Joyce have a tense relationship. They have feelings for one another, but are stubborn and are going through a lot. After gaining intelligence from Alexei, the crew heads to the Starcourt mall to settle business once and for all.
Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer) and Jonathan Byers (Charlie Heaton) play a somewhat small role during the season. As the season progresses, Nancy and Jonathan start to get integrated a bit more. The two lovebirds from season 2 are pretty forgettable when it comes to season 3. Characters in Stranger Things are exactly why viewers engage every time there is a new season. The Duffer Brothers’ ability to create such loveable characters is impressive. Throughout season 3 viewers get the opportunity to see how each character has grown as an individual and see their decision-making and teamwork evolve from their previous endeavors. I credit the writers and showrunners for producing such quality products on such a consistent basis.
Stranger Things 3 is a nostalgia-filled thrill ride. Anyone alive during this period will appreciate the attention to detail. Everything from items in supermarkets to clothing and accessories is very true to the time. All of the returning cast members give their best performances yet, including standouts Millie Bobby Brown and Dacre Montgomery. The Duffer Brothers have found a way to grab people and suck them into a story in which they created using inspiration from classic films and imaginative ideas from when they were young. Stranger Things 3 finds a way to deliver a quality product without overusing elements from earlier seasons. Every season is a brand new story. The writing, directing, acting, cinematography, special effects, and score are leaps and bounds above any other Netflix original series right now. I don’t see anything getting in the Duffer Brothers’ way anytime soon.
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