This past Sunday, I finished watching the fifth episode of season three of Stranger Things. If I had written this post then, it would be one of my furious rants about plot holes and insults to my intelligence. But luckily something very fortunate happened. As the screen went black and I began to loudly complain to my wife (sadly she always gets to be the first to hear my old-man rants) about how terrible the show had become, my fourteen year old son entered the room. He had binged watched the entire season a few days earlier and was very eager to hear how much I was enjoying one of our favorite shows.
Before he knew what hit him, I began to explain how stupid and far fetched the plot was. I presented a very thorough list of all of the things that would have never happened. As I stopped to take a breath in preparation to continue my laundry list of complaints, he said, "Dad it's a fun show. Don't ruin it for me."
Thank you Timmy!
My son had reminded me what this show is all about. It is an homage to all of the cool, fun, and completely unrealistic movies I loved back in the 1980s. If I jumped in a modified DeLorean and headed back to 1985 to complain to 14 year old me about how far fetched The Goonies, Red Dawn, Night of the Comet, or Gremlins were, he would punch old-man me right in the face. And he would be right. Those movies are fun. So is this season of Stranger Things. Luckily, it only took the words and not the fists of a teenager to snap me back out of reality.
After apologizing to my son for trying to "adult" one of his favorite shows, I turned off my brain, sat back and embraced the fun. Thanks to this new attitude, I truly enjoyed the absolutely ridiculous final three episodes.
So what was so fun (spoiler free of course)?
Not only are all of the members of the original party back, Max and Steve play even more significant roles this time around. Max's mentoring of Eleven in the ways of teenage girls is pretty funny. The best addition to the cast is Steve's entertaining co-worker Robin, who is played by Maya Hawke (daughter of Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman). The developing relationship between Steve and Robin is entertaining.
While Winona Ryder's Joyce is still loopy as ever, this time Hopper may be the one with even bigger issues. Problems or not, one thing is very clear: Hopper's love for Eleven is freaking beautiful.
I promised no spoilers so I can't say anything except the choice for the villain is simply perfect.
This season's monster is by far the coolest and scariest one yet.
It seems that as Netflix's confidence in the show has grown, so has its special effects budget. They are better than most DC movies.
There is plenty of nostalgic 80s movie to carry you through the 8 episodes
There are so many fun 80s references that I could not even keep track.
So is Stranger Things 3 worth your time?
My 14 year old son says yes.
After being reminded what this is all about and that I should turn off my brain and just have some fun, I wholeheartedly agree.
