Stranger Things Season 3 (Review); The Good Times Keep Rolling In A Very Cursed Town

So as anyone should have seen with my review of the first two seasons, I really like this show. I love the 80's vibe, I love the characters, and I love the Sci-Fi action that usually follows. But let's be real, Hawkins even though being a made up town in Indiana, is not only cursed, but makes me never want to live in Indiana again.

For anyone that knows me, I was super excited for this season. It's been a year and a half, and I've watched the other two seasons like 4 times a piece. I needed more episodes. Well I finally got them. So how were they? Well for me, they were amazing. We had the 80's references, we had the action, and we had several well done arcs for characters that I've grown to love. What I loved was the overarching theme this season had going for it, which kind of is a first for the series as a whole. That theme was relationships. Not just romantic relationships, but platonic and familial ones as well. You want a friendship for the ages? Look no further then our little buddy Alexi and Murray(Bunman). Of course like the other two seasons, we do have a focus on growing up, and not just from the kids, but from the adults and the teens too. The writing was absolutely on point this season, and it's kind of silly to think that there are people out there saying it wasn't by any means.

So I'll talk about the one "unpleasant" factor of the season, but why I not only give it a pass, I actually liked what they did with it. Now I watched through the whole third season twice. To make sure I didn't miss a thing.

The "unpleasant" factor that a lot of people seem to agree with, is Hopper and his "yelling/angry" bits. While I can say that I understand the feelings people have towards this, first off, it isn't anything new. Secondly, it isn't nearly as prevalent as everyone makes it out to be. Sure there are some scenes that utilize his traditional anger for comedic reasons, a collection of 80's dads all rolled into one to remind of us of some of our favorites. But there are also scenes that utilize it to draw out more emotional scenes. It's later shown in the season why Hopper feels the way he does, but once you understand where he is coming from, you start to understand on other playthroughs. That isn't to make you totally sympathize or to excuse some of his behavior, but just simply to understand it. Some people I respect have actually gone out and said they "dumbed Hopper down" but to be honest, I don't see it. Without really spoiling any main points, Hopper manages to track down a translator, figure out who the bad guys were, and go toe to toe with what is suppose to be the Terminator reference. I actually loved Hopper being the angry dad. Hell, Hopper at one point goes full Magnum P.I. on us. Everyone knows you never go FULL Magnum P.I. Which is why I loved it when people cracked on him for his uh...colorful shirts. People didn't care too much for how he treats Joyce in this season, and I agree with most of that sentiment, but I think a lot of people missed the point in that his behavior wasn't actually promoted, but a teaching of how NOT to act. The first time Hopper makes a move and is swatted down, he isn't nearly as fazed about it. He brushes it off, probably has for a while now, and he goes about his business. The second time though, he gets her to agree, and she brushes him off. I understand why he's mad, even if I don't fully agree with it. Like I said, it eventually gets explained what has made him so angry for most of the season, and once he starts spilling his guts, you do feel for him.

Also, Joyce screaming about her child in the first two seasons, then spending this season asking about magnets is not only hilarious, but like Will, an important step in continuously evolving her character past being JUST a mom.

The biggest stand-outs to me, were the budding friendships of Max and El. El went from hating Max because she thought Max was going after Mike, to going to her for advice and eventually hanging out at the new mall. The two even have slumber parties at each other's homes. It was cute to see them come full circle. I think El really needed this continue to grow as a character. She never had friends before season one, and by season three, she never had a girlfriend to hang out and talk to. Now she does. A confidant that she can not only talk about boys to, but also spy on with. Honestly, I also loved that while they were at the mall, Max was trying to help El shop, and told her "Go with what feels like you." something everyone should take advice on, not just El.

The other stand-outs this season include the stand-outs of season two, plus two. Steve and Dustin are still amazing with each other, and have a great amount of chemistry playing off one another. They act like old time best friends. Then there was the second part of that awesome squad, the younger sister of Lucas, Erica. Then there is the new addition of Robin Buckley (Played by Maya Hawke), Steve's new friend and co-worker at the Baskin Robins in the newly built Star Court Mall. These four had great chemistry as they uncover a mystery that originates in the mall. Erica is a treat. Robin is too. Robin is snarky/sarcastic and a bit too smart for her own good at times. Erica though has a sass level over 9000 for sure. These four could star in their own mini series and I'm sure everyone would be totally on board.

Also there was the three Amigos. I liked vey much where they decided to take them this season. With this season they focused less on poor Will being either in the Upside Down or being possessed by something from the Upside Down. We were able to focus more on him being lost in translation from his two friends Lucas and Mike. This season really focuses on growing up. Poor Will has spent the last two years being abducted and haunted by a otherworldly, he just wants to try and pick up where they left off before everything went to Hell. However, the boys are moving on to other interests. It makes you feel bad. Lucas has Max and Mike has El, each comes with their own sets of problems. It does make you feel for Will on one hand, because he just wants to play with his friends, but on the other hand, the guys are growing up and branching out into other things. It's something you can't stop, like an unstoppable force meeting an unmovable object.

The overall plot was really good. It usually is, but I really loved the aspect of the Russians invading this small town in the middle of America. First off, it's because it's such an 80's plot line, which of course is the point, the show is well known for it's 80's nostalgia. However, it's kind of a jab at the people who are always afraid of some "foreign power" coming in and "invading" some small Midwest town. It's something that's prevalent even today with none other then Russians who "rig elections" or Jihadists "infiltrating the masses". People who think the plot is silly, kind of missed the points it was trying to make. Plus, they made it a point to say in the second season that "If the Russians found out about our mistake, they could use it against us!" referencing the tear between the realms into the Upside Down. Guess what? They came over because of that very reason.

Of course the Mind Flayer is not only back, but better than ever. With Season 2, the Mind Flayer pulled the strings from the Upside Down. But now? Dude decided to manipulate things from our end. The monster design is great, and extremely disturbing. One thing I didn't really touch on yet is the fact that this season was far darker then the previous ones. The stakes felt much higher, and that's saying something. While the first season DID have an issue with the creatures of the Upside Down bleeding through and kidnapping/eating members of the public and the second season had the Mind Flayer and the Demodogs trying to take over the world one portal at a time, this season felt bigger. Probably because instead of a bunch of random army men and scientists, it was actually members of the public being dragged into it all that. I mean, that DOES happen with our main heroes/heroines but here it is just different as dozens of members of the public get turned into Flayed. Which speaking of Flayed, Dacre Montgomery as Billy just killed it. Dude was great as a damaged and abused teen in the second season, but we get even more of his backstory as the season goes on. At one point we even get El to take a look into Billy's head and we have some really touching moments that come full circle. Hell, we even get an idea of why Billy is so infatuated with Mrs. Wheeler too if you pay attention. Honestly, Billy was not only a sad and damaged character here in this season, but we also get some very menacing moments too once he's "Flayed". Dude should win an award for his performance, and if he doesn't, I think we should riot.

Music choices were solid here. Stranger Things has yet to disappoint, so I guess I should knock on wood before I go a jinx it. Honestly, nothing will be more iconic then the "Ominous Synth Music" that's plastered on the screen every 10 seconds.

Cinematography continues to impress too. I swear with each season, the shots just keep getting better and better. From the lights and sounds of the Fourth of July fair grounds, to the Star Court Mall, and of course the wide shots of the hills the kids climb to put up Dustin's radio tower to talk to his newly acquired girlfriend. Oh wait, did I not mention that? Oh yeah, Dustin has a girlfriend, and I love that it's a bit of a joke most of the season as to even if she's real or not.

Other characters added that I didn't touch on were Tom (played by Michael Park) and Bruce (played by Jake Busey), two douchebags from the local paper that Nancy and Jonathan work with. Both were great, and by great I mean you wanted to punch both in the face. I'm pretty sure that was the point, and there is a point where there is a little payback that made me yell out loud. Also, the corrupt Mayor Larry Kline (played by Cary Elwes) was just about perfect. I just love me some Mr. Elwes. There are some that don't think so, but as someone who visits Indiana often (I have family and friends there) and I lived there for a little while, dude knocked it out of the park. I loved seeing the back and forth between him and Hopper as they threatened each other with the skeletons they helped hide for one another.

Any weaknesses? I honestly can't think of any. It's not just me being "bias" but after watching through twice, I just couldn't find anything I was upset with, that I wanted changed, or thought could have been cut. We got 8 episodes of a tight story, with some continuing arcs, some new arcs, and some threads that will continue into season 4 that we will need answered. There are so many little threads that I missed on the first play through that shows that there is some serious depth here. Monster design was great, the plot was good, the characters just keep getting better as they continue to touch on coming of age stories. All while giving us some great Sci-Fi and 80's nostalgia. The movie references keep coming and they don't stop coming (according to Smashmouth), and the songs take me to a time I missed out on by about 5 years. Nothing is wasted, and even if you think the first couple of episodes are "slow" they are character building. Once you get to like episode three or four it's nonstop action.

So my final verdict for Stranger Things season 3 is a...

10/10

I know, it might be a bit high, but honestly like I said before, there weren't many weaknesses in my eyes. This is Netflix at it's best. Netflix can't get anyone to make a movie to save their fucking lives. However, when it comes to TV shows? Netflix is number uno all day, every day. Daredevil, Stranger Things, Dark, Orange Is The New Black, and After Life show why Netflix owns most of the Cable channels and most of the streaming networks too. This season was just another prime example of it, and I loved every minute of it. If you disagree though, let me know in the comments sections anywhere on my socials and let me know what you would rate it overall. Which season is your favorite? If you don't like Stranger Things, is there anything you do like? As always, follow me on my social's, subscribe to my YouTube, and stay tuned as I'm working to bring you even more reviews.