Stranger Things

[Winter]

Because I'm curious what's everyone's opinion on the Netflix series Stranger Things? For my thoughts on the series I like it but I don't think it's really as good as everyone is making out. I mean 11 is good, the acting as a whole is really top notch, it has a nicely creepy atmosphere and the effects are good. But honestly I just don't think it has enough of it's own identity to make it anything special.

There's this one review about the show and in it the reviewer briefly goes over how much he dislikes Uncharted for copying Indiana Jones and how it's just trying to cash in on that series popularity while having no original ideas of it's own... while spending most of the review which I think was about 3 parts going over all the movies Stranger Things is copying. Yes really, he spent over a hour going over which scene from show was based on a scene from a movie and yet hardly ever talks about the characters. He talked more about E.T. and and how the show remembered what toppings that film Pizza had then he does going over 11 and Max's relationship.

If you like the show, that's great and I would love for Chuck to review it and he might even get me the change my mind but I just found it funny how this review from a channel I don't even remember said how much he disliked one series that was inspired by a popular movie that hardly ever copied the film it was emulating while praising ST for doing exactly that.

But what are your thoughts on ST. Like it, dislike or are you just neutral on it?

[ChiggyvonRichthofen]

I like it a lot. It has excellent acting across the board, fun characters, a great atmosphere, and it uses its sources of inspiration well. The whole "coming of age in a small town while uncovering a dark secret" story is something that a lot of people appreciate.

With all that said, I don't necessarily disagree with your points. I think Stranger Things can be compared to Stephen King here, not just in terms of inspiration and plot specifics, but in terms of quality. Just how entertaining Stephen King might be is entirely subjective, but in terms of craft and artistry he is on a completely different (lower) tier from a Tolstoy or Joyce or Faulkner. Stranger Things is the same way. It is pretty derivative, and there isn't really a great depth or complexity of theme as might be seen in more "artistic" television series. It's not in the same tier as a show like Twin Peaks, even if it's probably much more entertaining for most people.

That isn't really an insult against the series- they set out to make an entertaining homage to 80s pop culture, and they certainly succeeded. I think there are other shows out there that have really overinflated reputations despite having a lot more questionable content (in terms of quality film-making) than Stranger Things.

[ORCACommander]

personally i love the show. the actors are great, the characters are all distinct and memorable. I think it has had a couple of structure problems like 11's stand alone episode in season 2. But ya scene references are to be expected when this is homage to all things 80's

[Winter]

But ya scene references are to be expected when this is homage to all things 80's

I get that and I'm not against it I was just annoyed by that review who made a brief mention of the characters, criticized Uncharted for daring to be inspired and lifting scenes straight out of Indiana Jones, (which never really happened and the few times it came close there was always something different about it) while his praise for ST, which again is over a hour long, was going over all the scenes that were pretty much identical plot wise or visually like something else.

I agree that the characters are likeable and well acted but the issue I keep running into with this review was that he never talked about them and coupled with his rather condescending remarks about Uncharted, annoyed me and worse didn't do the show any justice. To date I have only ever disagreed with Chuck on two stories, Justice League: Epilogue and Atlantis: The Lost Empire as I dislike the former for how Terry turned into Batman's "Son" which for me missed the point about what made Terry so interesting and undermined his character and the latter I actually like.

However, Chuck made really good points and highlighted why for him he enjoyed the former and didn't enjoy the latter. For Stranger Things I just thought it was okay and this review didn't do anything to make me see it as anything special. The review of ST didn't cover what made him connect with the characters, he just spent the whole review going how this scene was similar to a scene from another TV and or Movie.

And I'm all for that Nostalgia is awesome but the review didn't do anything else and as someone who loves games like Uncharted and I was put off by his condescending and poorly researched review on the game. And again what bugs me is how he kept praising how ST did it right without actually covering anything But the Nostalgic imagery which he claims that Uncharted was doing even though it's just a similar genre piece.

I would like Chuck or Linkara to review ST as I think they could do the show justice without insulting another series or at least show how they feel one does that series better then the other.

[Fuzzy Necromancer]

The pacing of the first season was weak and they didn't capitalize on the opportunities offered by the time period, but season 2 shows they are improving their game. Also I'm glad that Dustin has worked out sources of information other than the science teacher who is not paid enough to deal with his shit 24/7.

I personally think the big threat from the Upside-Down isn't Him, it's the pollen/dust/whatever. That stuff we see drifting in the air in all the upside-down scenes. I think it will turn out to be true menace, where the demigorgons and Him are just big, obvious distractions.

Also the fucker should have let her go trick-or-treating.

Also I'd really like to see some queer stuff.

[ORCACommander]

uh winter i think we are getting some wires crossed here, I am discussing stranger things, you are discussing a 3rd party's review of stranger things

[Winter]

uh winter i think we are getting some wires crossed here, I am discussing stranger things, you are discussing a 3rd party's review of stranger things

True, sorry about that, bloody cold. ^^'