First off, I am going to make my bias very clear: Stranger Things is my favorite currently running series. Upon its debut in 2016, the series snagged the top spot from The Walking Dead on my personal Top 5 list. From its very first scene to its grainy, VHS-like opening credits, I was hooked to the style and delivery of its content. An homage to the 1980s that comes off as a blend of Steven Spielberg characters in a John Carpenter story—two of my all-time favorite filmmakers. A story centered around small-town kids and their families as one of their own goes missing, and the secret government operatives and other-worldy beings behind it. The original is simply immaculate, and while Stranger Things 2 had its weaknesses, I was still thoroughly entertained throughout.

As for Stranger Things 3, the Duffer Brothers knocked it out of the park. Taking place a year after the events of the previous installment, the members of our favorite D&D playing crew have grown up and entered the teen years. Mike (Finn Wolfhard)  and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) are together. Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) and Max (Sadie Sink) are together. Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) has returned from camp, where he also met a girl. Nancy (Natalia Dyer) and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) have continued their relationship and work together at the local newspaper. Sheriff Hopper (David Harbour) and Joyce (Winona Ryder) have struck up a friendship, with one of them attempting to take things further. Steve (Joe Keery), having graduated high school, is working at the new mall’s ice cream parlor with the sarcastic and wise-cracking Robin (Maya Hawke). Billy (Dacre Montgomerey) is enjoying his new job as lifeguard/mom eye-candy. And then there is Will (Noah Schnapp), who is dealing with the feelings of being left out.

All this comes to a head as once again, a force from the Upside Down creeps its way back into Hawkins, Indiana.

Related – Stranger Things: [SPOILER] On Whether Or Not They Are In Season 4

The suspense and thrills are enhanced in this one, giving me the same rush I felt when I watched the first installment. The Duffer Brothers recaptured that perfect blend of sci-fi conspiracy and humanity. This time around, our favorite youthful stars have matured and evolved in their performances—presenting these same kids who now deal with the fact that as their lives change, so too do their relationships. Harbour and Ryder perfect their roles, providing a well balance of drama and comedy as their characters protect their children and stumble across another hidden danger in their small town. Moreover, the Duffers have excelled in providing a nostalgia-rich setting that never seems forced. From New Coke to Day Of The Dead to a shopping montage, the 1980s are on full display in pure cinematic fashion, capturing the neon world our protagonists reside in.

Stranger Things 3 will make you laugh, make you cry, make you cheer, and keep you riveted with every twist throughout the entire eight episodes. As the tagline says, “one summer can change everything” and that is exactly what happens in Hawkins this time around. The events in this installment change the characters forever, and if you want to know exactly what it is that changes… start streaming!

Grade: A+

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