Short Attention Span Review: Stranger Things 2 (2017)
Sure, it's a bit too familiar. Okay, maybe in addition to recycling beats from the first season, the show is even more derivative this time out. Who cares? The first season was epic, and a powerful nostalgia vibe is one of the biggest keys to this show's success. Recycling is cool, and Stranger Things 2 is a wicked good time. In terms of style and enjoyment, this breakout series easily skirts a sophomore slump and instead keeps the good times rolling for Netflix. Everyone's back for another kooky voyage loaded with fright and intrigue, and there are some new faces in the mix to keep things fresh. One of these, Dacre Montgomery, is a revelation as Billy, bringing a lot of beefcake and even more in the way of charisma to his part. Billy is equal parts picture perfect 80s heart throb and despicable sociopath, and Montgomery makes the most of his screentime, damn near stealing every scene that he's in. However, the biggest surprise for me was Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, who has somehow evolved from the most repulsive tool in Hawkins, Indiana to perhaps the show's most courageous and likable character. Of course, Millie Bobby Brown continues to kill it as Eleven, and there's really no point in going down the list as all of the players are wisely given lots to do, and everyone puts forth a worthy performance. Matt and Ross Duffer continue to impress with Stranger Things 2, another mindbending spookshow with a wealth of charm that fires on all cylinders and rewards viewers with a fantastic story populated by rich characters. The score is pretty damn nifty too. Hell, everything about this franchise is pretty damn nifty--if you're not watching it, you're missing out in a big way.
Final Grade: A
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