Monday, May 20, 2019

Review: Stranger Things 2 (The Complete Second Season) ** and a 1\2 out of four

I wasn't a huge fan of the first season of Stranger Things. So going into the second season, my expectations weren't that high to begin with.

If you liked the first season, you will like Stranger Things 2. If you didn't, well, you won't like this so one much, either. It continues to be one of the most technically polished and lavishly produced events on TV (or OTT platforms), and the cast is eminently likable. But if you thought the first season was derivative, watch out, Stranger Things 2 is one big ball of cliches and blockbuster cues.

The writing this time around is surprisingly lazy, even by the show's standards, and the plot is paper thin and annoyingly contrived. Yes, the credentials all around are impeccable, but the whole show, from the get go, is pretty directionless. You get monsters, endearing characters with almost nothing interesting to do, and plenty of mindless action (blockbuster quality stuff, for sure, but mindless nonetheless). If that's your thing, then Stranger Things 2 is for you. But I'd rather watch something with a little more originality and heart.

To me, Stranger Things is a show for people who like 80s kitsch, but don't really know or care what made the 80s so special. It wasn't just style and big, loud movies, folks. It was the heart, the writing, and the attitude, all things Stranger Things sorely lack.

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