TV Show Review 026 Stranger Things s01e01 (Pilot)
Stranger Things s01e01 the Vanishing of Will Byers
[2016->] 4.5/5
- Synopsis -
99 out of a hundred times, the missing kid is with a parent or relative. What about the other time?
A love letter to the supernatural classics of the 80’s, Stranger Things is the story of a young boy who vanishes into thin air. As friends, family and local police search for answers, they are drawn into an extraordinary mystery involving top-secret government experiments, terrifying supernatural forces and one very strange little girl.
(Director & Writer Matt & Ross Duffer [Wayward Pines], 8 Episodes, Release 071516, Duration 47 mns, Rating TV-14, Genre - Drama, Horror, Mystery, Nostalgia, Supernatural)
"... while the main plot is about the search for a missing boy has now been revealed as something deeper since the search also uncovers a mysterious newcomer, a nefarious laboratory, and clandestine government activity ..." - Collider
~ taking inspiration from the 80s movies, the kids are the show stealers with their eccentricities and personalities shining through while dealing with typical everyday school hijinks as well as the mysterious incidents with the solid supporting adult characters
~ a fitting and appropriate tribute to the culture of yesteryears adding to the authenticity of the throwback journey [D&D, the funky soundtrack i.e. the accompanying opening scene electronic score, home phone with cords]
+ Highlights: the opening title card of the current (past) time that's just after E.T. was released, the scary opening at the laboratory, the brief but important D&D scene, the tense chase of Will Byers, the first look of the otherworldly being in the sealed room, the beautifully nerdy friendship between the boys and the ignored teacher, the brief glimpse of flashback of the family bonding, the scary looking but gentle and caring cook, another look of the supernatural power in the shed, the well shot searching pary at night, an attempt of a good deed being ruthlessly snuff out. the Will's attempt to reach out to his family
- Lowlights: the specific tone and distinct characters could take time to get used to
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