But as far as 2019 blockbusters go, “Stranger Things 3” delivers in a lot of the ways “Game of Thrones” did not - like a candle in the window, after a cold, dark winter’s night. The Netflix original still remains trapped by the genres it pays tribute to content to play out the same outdated archetypes of yesteryear and play off the beloved films that were brought to life from untethered imaginations. If Season 2 was too serious, too dark, and too fractured, than Season 3 is pretty fun, very bright, and streamlined to deliver sensory overload. “Stranger Things” will be easier to discuss once everyone has seen it, as the granular details that could spoil fun surprises are the same that need to be mentioned in outlining issues, but overall Season 3 leaves the franchise in a good place. It doesn’t always work super well, as the old adults’ story can get tiresome (Ryder isn’t given much to do with Joyce, while David Harbour’s Sheriff Hopper is one of the season’s worst developed characters) and the young adults’ duties are kinda dull (Natalia Dyer as Nancy, and Charlie Heaton as Jonathan). The Duffer Brothers actually deal with these relatable teen issues (and adult, honestly) pretty well, using familiar but enjoyable emotional beats to break people apart and then relying on crisis to call them back together. Though he soon rejoins the group, his earlier absence introduces the key dynamic of the season: What happens to a group of friends when some start pairing up? Eleven is dating Mike, Lucas is dating Max, and that leaves Will and Dustin wanting to hang out together while the couples want to spend more time one-on-one. Joyce (Winona Ryder) has lost customers to the one-stop shopping destination, including the foundation to any town’s economy: the youths. A new mall has been built, thanks to the completely noble efforts of Mayor Larry Kline (Cary Elwes), and more than just the leg-warmer-sporting mall walkers have fled to the capitalist shrine.

Schools have emptied for the break, but the downtown is deserted, too. OK, so, what can be said about what’s coming, aka what might you actually want to know before bingeing through nearly seven hours of “Stranger Things”? Well, Season 3 is set in the summer of 1985. Fans will be happy, skeptics will spot problems, but it’s hard to fight the feeling that this mega-franchise still knows how to have fun. The eight episodes fly by, avoiding the Netflix bloat plaguing other originals - only the finale clocks in longer than 60 minutes and most hover closer to 50 - and even with gaudy in-story ads for Coca-Cola and Burger King, the look of “ Stranger Things 3” is pretty stellar. That can be frustrating when you’re asked to invest in scenes churning the plot forward, but “Stranger Things” keeps things moving fast enough that those gripes are often fleeting.īy doubling down on relationship stories, Season 3 of “Stranger Things” delivers an oft-charming, deeper-than-expected, and ultimately enjoyable new chapter. The action driving Season 3 feels purposefully dialed down to the most basic elements, paying homage to movies like “The Thing” and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” without really giving a hoot about what made either film so affecting.

Jessica Gunning Says Her ‘Baby Reindeer’ Breakout Role Felt ‘Quite Traumatic’: ‘Your Body Doesn’t Know What’s Pretend’Īs for the new story, well, I won’t say much (because Netflix is very, very concerned about spoilers), but there’s also not much that needs to be said.

Stranger things 3 reviews