Stranger Things

It's like a wonderfully filmed great book... Only with the difference being that there is no book. It is all the more necessary to admire the work of screenwriters and directors who had not only a bunch of ideas, but also common sense, eight episodes were enough, and they managed to create a series in which there was no weak spot and a moment during which to yawn. Of the actors, I was very nicely surprised by David Harbour (a really good choice for the new Hellboy, if they really had to make that film) and Winona Ryder delighted. The kids were perfect. (09/02/2019)

Longer, more epic, more action, more horror... I mean, a typical second film that still knows the level and does not cast shame on the first film. I would actually say that this series is even better than the first, thanks mainly to the characters of Eleven and Hopper, who are really great and amazingly-acted characters that simply capture your heart. Above all, the ultra-sympathetic David Harbour (he reminded me a little of Jack Nicholson) deserves all the praise and is now one of my main hopes that the new Hellboy will be at least a little worthwhile. (06/04/2019)

Well, the third season may not particularly deepen the mythology of The Upside Down and so forth, that's a fact, but I didn't mind it at all. The main characters have grown up, become teenagers, and are hitting puberty, and the series has adapted to that. So it's more frenetic, a lot more comedic than previous seasons (while benefiting a lot from their clashes with desperate adults in addition to the verbal shootouts between the teens), doesn't wait for anything, and pedals more than ever. What the creators saved for the finale last time happens somewhere in the middle this time, it's grittier and, I have to say, a lot more suspenseful and horrific. However, the main strength is still the characters, interestingly evolving (the amazing Steve and all he experiences with Dustin, Erica, and Robin!), naturally believable (El and Mike, El and Hopper, Hopper and Joyce), and mysterious (Billy)... The script has a lot of cards up its sleeve, so it doesn't skimp on them and lays them out on the table whenever it can. Of the actors, I must single out the impeccable David Harbour, and of the other artists, composers Dixon and Stein, who this time were heavily inspired by Philip Glass. (08/07/2019)

I don’t know how they do it, but every new season of Stranger Things has been the best so far, and the fourth is no exception. It was amazing to watch how the Duffers explained all they could, how thoughtful it felt (I wonder if they had planned it that way from the beginning or not, either way I'm happy), and how it wasn't the least bit overcomplicated or stilted. But mainly, it was a joy to follow the characters – all of them! The old, the new, the good, the bad... Without exception, everyone was great and no one was the least bit annoying. The division into teams turned out to be a great idea, the heroes got into unusual situations (how is it possible that the show doesn't betray itself with all those ideas, but always comes up with something new). When they were supposed to entertain me, they entertained me, when I was supposed to worry about them, you bet I was worried. It's hard to imagine where the fifth (and I believe final) season may go next, but I'm happy to go there too. (03/07/2022)