Your Entertainment Corner

<i>Stranger Things</i> Season 2 Premiere – “Madmax” Review. Arcades, The Upside Down, and More.

Stranger Things Season 2 is currently available on Netflix as of Friday, October 27, 2017

Rating: ★★★★★

“It’s finger licking good.” – Steve

Stranger Things makes me so happy. Watching “Madmax” reminds why I fell in love with the series in the first place. The overall esthetic of the show, giving me those oh-so fabulous ‘80s vibes all over, transports me to a time and place where things aren’t so readily available at the touch of your fingertips. When you had to remember phone numbers and actually use the dial-pad on a landline telephone that has the longest cord imaginable. And if you remember what it was like going to an arcade to play your favorite video games, “Madmax” will make you feel extra nostalgic. As I watched “Madmax,” I was overcome with a sense of joy I haven’t felt in ages (or at least since season one of Stranger Things) while watching a television program. I found myself smiling ear-to-ear and now, I can’t wait to see how season two progresses.

It’s October 28, 1984 in Pittsburgh, PA. A motley crew of both grown-ups and juveniles are robbing a bank. One young girl seems to have a unique supernatural gift. She crushes a tunnel with only a thought and her hand mimics an explosion…but does it really happen? As the camera pans out, she wipes the trickle of blood from her nose and we see the letters “DOB” tattooed on her wrist. Remind you of someone we know; someone who loves Eggos®? Cut to the show’s opening credits and “Madmax” begins with lawns covered with lit-up Halloween décor and Dustin cursing as he searches endless couch cushions for lost change.

“Madmax” sort of reintroduces us to the cast (as if we could forget them), picking up a year after the events that happened in season one in the “upside down.” Something wicked is in Hawkins, Indiana and I don’t know if everyone will make it out unscathed. Odd things are happening around town and Will (Noah Schnapp) begins to see things, terrifying things, that may become an ominous reality sooner than he thinks.

Bob and Joyce are getting cozy on movie night.

This season has a few new guest stars, including Sean Astin who plays Bob Newby, the new love interest for Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder). And Paul Reiser guest stars as Dr. Owens, the physician treating Will for “PTSD” after his traumatic experience in the “upside down.” Dr. Owens doesn’t give off good vibes. When he tells Joyce, “Trust me,” regarding her son Will’s treatment, I immediately felt the opposite. Dr. Owens’ curiosity about Will’s new visions seems less like a doctor interested in helping his patient but more like a man trying to find out more about the unknown.

Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Mike have an enviable friendship.

The entire cast is pretty awesome but the four boys – Will, Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) — are absolutely incredible. I mean, seriously, Matarazzo is adorable and hilarious when he shows off his new teeth (which are fake; both he and his character in “MadMax” have a condition called cleidocranial dysplasia). Dustin’s conversation with Lucas about the new girl in their class, Maxine aka “Max” (Sadie Sink), is quite entertaining. “She won’t be able to resist these pearls. Grrr.” His little growl…So. Stinking. Cute!

The way these boys interact with one another, you would swear they’ve been best friends since they were in diapers. The camaraderie they share is enviable; they even take an overprotective stance when it comes to Will. After his terrifying experience in the “upside down” in season one, I understand the need to watch over him in “Madmax.”

Of course, everyone watching “Madmax” is probably wondering where Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) is? I do not want to spoil anything for those who are not watching the entire season in one sitting; my reviews will be episodic. I will, at some point in the very near future, binge season two, but I am kind of feeling old school and want to prolong the ending. Rather than indulge in a weekend of non-stop Stranger Things, I will (or at least try to) watch one episode each week, drawing out the awesomeness a bit longer. It’s all about the anticipation.

What I especially love about “Madmax” is the feeling it gives me as I’m watching. From the dialogue and the set designs, to the special effects, everything evokes a sense of childlike wonder. Maybe that’s just the kid in me crying out for a time when things weren’t so hateful and divided.

It’s not even safe in the daytime.

One scene in particular that stands out is when Hawkins Police Chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour) goes out to investigate a situation at a pumpkin farm. The way the pumpkins are rotting with all the flies and bugs crawling out evokes a sense of dread even in broad daylight. The anticipation of finding whatever creature is lurking in the dried up cornfield, to put a scare element in the middle of a bright, sunny day is truly outstanding. I’m not often scared by daytime scenes, but I was nervous for Jim as he cautiously walked through the stalks of corn. FYI – I do not like crows. They’ve always given me the heebie-jeebies. And scarecrows…no thank you.

LOL! Yeah, Steve, KFC is “finger lickin’ good.”

If you recall from season one, Nancy (Natalia Dyer) and her friend Barb (Shannon Purser) went to a party at Steve’s (Joe Kerry). During the party, Barb decided to go sit by the pool while Nancy and Steve got to know each other better. Well, Barb ended up in the “upside down” but things didn’t end well. Barb’s death has been a hotly debated topic but as with many sci-fi shows, perhaps death is not always permanent. Although I am not sure how they would resurrect Barb.

In “Madmax,” Nancy and Steve go to dinner at Barb’s parents’ house and are informed by Mr. and Mrs. Holland (Aaron Munoz and Cynthia Barrett) that they’ve hired a detective to find their beloved daughter. I’m not sure how this plot will play out, but I think Nancy is torn because she knows what she saw in the “upside down” and by all appearances, Barb is dead-dead. Again, anything could happen in season two.

Max has the highest score on DigDug… whoever said “girls don’t play video games” is sadly mistaken.

What did you think of “Madmax?” Do you think Dustin or Lucas has a shot with Max? She is so much more than just a cute face; she rides a skateboard and can play “Dig Dug” like a boss. Another badass female for the win. As for Mike, he’s still holding out for Eleven.

I hope you are just as excited as I am about the new season of Stranger Things. I look forward to any comments and theories you may have. I’d love to discuss, so please leave a comment below and tweet me @judybopp.

Stranger Things Season 2 is now available on Netflix. For more on the show, go to the official site.

Stranger Things social media:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StrangerThingsTV/

Twitter @Stranger_Things

Instagram @StrangerThingsTV

Photos ©2017 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.