Stranger Things is an Netflix original, produced by the Duffer Brothers. Strangers Things is set in a fictional town called Hawkins, Indiana in the 1980s. The first season focuses more on the investigation of the disappearance of one of the main characters, Will. After Will's disappearance a lot of supernatural events start occurring around the town including the appearance of a girl called 11 with psychic abilities who helps the boys trying to find Will. The second season of Stranger Things is set a year after the first season, and deals with attempts of ridding the town of the supernatural actives.
Objectively speaking, Stranger Things is great. It has outstanding mise-en scene aspects, amazing cinematography, great character development, and great plot development. There are many aspects of mise-en scene used through this series, but some that stand out to me are the use of low lighting key and non diegetic music. The perfect combination of the low lighting key and the non diegetic music really gave the whole series a creepy vibe. Through out the whole series there was no point where I was not on edge for what was going to happen next. Another good aspect of this series is the cinematography. Stranger Things knew the perfect moments to have a shallow depth or deep depth of field, while always staying sharp. Another great aspect is the character development. A great example of charter development is 11. We watch 11 in season one being timid and afraid to be seen by people, to progressing to be independent at the end of season two. Along with everything else the Duffer Brothers also mastered the plot development also. Every episode left me wanting to see more and more, while perfectly spaced out to end up reaching the resolution.
Subjectively, I think Stranger Things is one of the best shows I have ever watched. Every episode I was left with chills running down my spine, making my hair stand up. I think everything about this series is perfect. I was left in awe after every episode, only to want more. Each episode progresses to be better and better and watching the characters evolve every episode was inspiring. Everything from the camera angles to the development of series was outstanding. I wish Stranger Things would never end.
Final Rating- Good, Good
Here's the trailer to season 1 that gives a irie vibe with its non- diegetic audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G6t4MnB1rg
I completely agree that this show is "Good, Good". I just finished season 1 of the show (I know I'm a year late). I think one of the things the show really succeeds in is Character Development. For example, in the first episode, we see eleven as timid, weak and afraid, which is shown when she's seen as a fugitive running away through the woods. She is scared of Will and most people, since she seems to have trust issues. At the end of the season 1, although she still is quiet, we can see how her character developed as much stronger. She risks her life to kill the demogorgon, in order to save the boys. Or when she flips the truck to save them. At the end we can see how she connects, specifically with Mike. Another character we really see develop throughout the first season is Nancy. In the beginning we see her as desperate to fit in with Steve's group, when she goes to the party, lies to her parents, and shotguns a beer. Then in the middle of the season we can see how she no longer cares about Steve or fitting in when she realizes how her actions are partially responsible for her best friend Barb's disappearance. She becomes much stronger and much more brave in order to try to fix her mistake and try to find Barb. What I think is interesting is how the way different characters develop affects how the other characters also develop around them. For example, we don't see this until the end but Steve changes when he realizes how much of an asshole he was to Nancy and tries to go back to her at the end.
ReplyDeleteCoinciding with Kayla, I could not agree more with the Good-Good analysis. This show deserves all the accolades it has won over the past year. The highlight of this show is not it's MES qualities but it's character development. You feel like you know each character and that is something not many shows can replicate. Your analysis reflects this stance quite well. Your use of MES as well as other film elements displays an expanded knowledge of film analysis and shows you were willing to go farther. To be honest I really see no flaws within your analysis. There is a great amount of detail which is perfect. The only gripe I have as a reviewer is that it feels like you short changed your subjective analysis. You should try to channel the energy you brought with your objective analysis to your subjective analysis as well.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that this TV series is a Good, Good. This show is probably, in my opinion, the a very good show and it has amazing qualities that would definitly put it on the scale. It has good acting, good CGI, and great plot.You focus a lot on how the main component of the series is character development, which is great. You explain the characters and act like you know a lot about them. You give examples as to why this is and how that left you during the show. Your use of MES is great throughout all of your analysis as well as your knowlege of film elements. I can honestly say, no flaws whatsoever. What you could do, however, is to try and focus some more on the subjective analysis like you did the objective analysis.
ReplyDeleteI not only completely agree with your rating, but I found enjoyment in the same aspects of MES that you mentioned. The low lighting key and eerie music definitely added to the suspense of the show, which constantly left me wanting the next episode. To add to your points, I'd also like to mention the dominant feature and diegetic (sometimes non diegetic) audio of the Demagorgon. These creepy sounds and scrambling movements made by the monster freaked me out. The mystery shrouding the monster made me want to see it more and know the truth and story behind it. I personally feel like Eleven mellowed out throughout the first season. When Eleven was first found, while the boys were searching in the woods, she wouldn't even speak enough to tell people her own name. She just pointed and nodded. By the end of the season, she was somewhat talkative, and even showed some feelings toward Mike. She even went as far as screaming when she was getting rid of the Demagorgon. This character transition was one of the many reasons I continued to watch Stranger Things, and I am definitely looking forward to watching the second season with great expectations that will surely be met.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Stranger Things is an amazing show. Although I've only watched season 1, I thought characters were displayed and developed incredibly and the music really did build up a vibe depending on the situation. I find it hard to argue that this show is anything other than perfect since all the actors, especially the child actors, were really good and I thought how the end of season made you ask questions while simultaneously wrapping everything up.
ReplyDeleteNot only is your response true, but it is also very accurate. I can more than vouch for your opinions on the outstanding choices of mise-en-scene, and the impeccable character development. The choices of low key lighting and non diegetic audio indeed add to the must needed suspense within the series. Not only where the scenery choices perfectly planned, but the cgi effects were used at the best times and were not over the top and unnecessary. I believe that the choices that the director made, and the choices made by the Duffer brothers made this season even better than the first, and I can't be more excited to see what is yet to come in the series.
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