'Stranger Things 2'

(Spoilers!)
The much awaited season 2 of 'Stranger Things' premiered a week ago and obviously it was binge-watched by absolutely everyone and everybody who loved the first season. And while i didn't expect much from it as it's always really difficult to keep up the hype, i was not left disappointed though i was also not impressed. At all.

Season 2 picked up a year after things were left on S1 and while all the characters still pretty charming, some storylines were a bit unnecessary, like all the kids' romances. Max's addition to the gang was something really cool, but why romantically link her to two of the boys so soon? Though thinking about it, that's exactly what happened when Eleven first met the boys. And that's also one of the biggest problems that i saw on this second season, that everything that happens has already happened before. Like S2 follows the same pattern of things as the first season and even the resolution of the conflict is the same one, with Eleven solving everything in the end. They could had bring her sooner to fix things. 

Another factor that made me think that Season 2 wasn't close to the level of perfection than S1 was is that it didn't get me hooked on it until things started to develop in episode 4. Those three episodes from the beginning were simply ok but i really withdraw from the story a lot, like checking my phone just because, for no special reason, because i was bored. And keep in mind that i love 80s nostalgia and i'm sold pretty quick on these type of movies and shows were kids go on bikes to places solving mysteries and having adventures ('The Goonies', 'Super 8', even 'It'!) but here i didn't love it as much. Truth is that after episode 4 i watched te show on two days but the feeling of not having enough like it happened to me during the first season was not happening for me this time.

Also, there weren't any amazing scenes on this new season, or none that i can remember. Like when 'E.T. the extra terrestrial' style, Eleven, while riding with the boys escaping from someone, made the van that was going towards them fly above them, in a really badass move. But in part 2? No memorable moments that i can recall. And it's a shame because this show used to amaze me. 

And the worst thing of it all, and i think we all agree, was episode 7. Like it was a bit necessary to know what happened to Eleven's mom and all but the sister part? A bit unnecessary and boring. Yeah it served El to figure out herself and understand what happened better but dedicating a whole episode to that was a bit too much. The only good thing was the moment where Bon Jovi's 'Runaway' sounds but the rest was pretty meh.

It's not all hating here, because nearly all the new characters were really great, like Max, Bob, adorably played by Goonie, Sean Astin, Lucas' little fierce sister Erica and well, Billy, Max's stepbrother. But overall they were all amazing.

When it comes to the original cast, Steve remains one of my fave characters, like he was made for you to hate on him but he's simply a nerd with good hair but he remains adorable, and his bond with Dustin and the rest was so cute and funny. Nancy was still great though she made some poor romantic choices, while Jonathan still is as boring as i remembered (Team Steve all the way). As for the party, the kids are always great and i loved seeing them in 'Ghostbusters' costumes. When it comes to the adults, Chef Hopper remained the best, and gave us a lot of feelings when he gets granted the adoption papers for Eleven, now Jane, as he lost his daughter years ago. Also, with the super sad death of Bob, there could be a romance in the cards between him and Joyce and we're all rooting for that for Part 3.

Anyway, i ranted a lot about the things that i didn't like from part 2 but at the same time i watched the whole thing in four days so it wasn't that bad. Yeah, it didn't live up to season 1 but it was enjoyable for the most part and the ending ball scene was cute, i got to admit. So, we'll have to wait to part 3 to see the story repeating itself but i hope this time everything is a bit more original.

sources: lynchoid

Stranger Things (Season 1)

(Spoiler Things)
'Stranger Things' has definitely been the surprise of the season, there's always a show that you binge-watch during Summer, last year it was 'UnReal' for me, and this one it's been 'Stranger Things' like,  for sure.

The show had all elements to be attractive, it has Winona Ryder (that only was enough for me), it's set on the 80s, a mysterious plot and a soundtrack that sticks in your head from the very first moment you hear it, and of course, this was going to be a success. Not only because of all those elements but because the story keeps you attached from the pilot to the very last episode. So, let's talk about what we loved on 'Stranger Things'.

For a starter, and i think everyone agrees, the 80s nostalgia is everything. That's not easy to achieve, such a setting that looks like an old Spielberg movie or so similar to any film of that decade but 'Stranger Things' nailed it. It's like it was filmed 30 years ago and it came back to light now and that's huge. Because, you feel transported to that era, back when you were little and watched all those glorious old movies. And obviously, is full of references to all those films but i think everyone's favourite was the 'E.T.' scene with the kids in their bikes, but like a more badass version of it.

Which brings us back now to the cast, starting with the kids. The kids are amazing, they're true heirs of 'The Goonies' and i'm saying that being a huge Goonies fan. J.J. Abrams tried to achieve that with the kids in 'Super 8' and while it kinda reminded you of them, they weren't quite close. The five buddies in 'Stranger Things' really nailed that, it's like they are the youngest brothers of the Goonies and with a more important female character, that is Eleven (or El for her friends) fantastically played by Millie Bobby Brown. They create such a special bond apart from the one that already had the four young friends before El that is super sweet and funny.

But apart from them, there's Winona (WINONA FOREVER) and i was so happy to see her again after 'Black Swan' and i hope to see more of her because she always makes interesting stuff. Some say she was just playing crazy and that she's a bit crazy herself after that shop-litfing incident, but i saw more than that. She gave a mature performance of a desperate mother and i think she really did great.

The teenagers were also very on point, starting with Natalie Dyer playing Nancy, all good girl at first but then ready to kick the hell out of the monster by the end. I liked how she didn't end up with Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) being what seemed obvious but returned to her lame boyfriend (marvelously played by Steve Harrington). And what about Barb (Shannon Purser) who didn't relate to her at some point and thought she deserved better? It was sad that she died and would love to have seen more of her but she died for being a good friend, poor thing.

As for the story, without having too many plot twists or things that we kinda could figure out, i think it really surprised everyone. I loved how the story developed and made you keep guessing all the time but in the end, while i was satisfied with the resolution, the opening clues for the second season don't felt that attracting to me. Mostly because i don't think how they're going to keep the mystery going and make it still right as its freshness can all fade away. So I guess we'll have to wait and watch for ourselves and probably prove me wrong. Hope so.

Below there's the show's main theme which i think everyone loved, at least i was into it the very first seconds i heard it.

sources: logominer & youtube