Volume 2 of Stranger Things season 4 brings the end a little bit closer as Vecna’s true intentions are revealed and the kids from Hawkins try to save their little town. The series is streaming on Netflix.
Story
Vecna reveals his plans of wanting to open more gates until he can bring the Upside down to the real world and lay waste to everyone there. Nancy tells the others that they need to fight back against him somehow.
Eleven finds out about these plans and wants to go back to Hawkins but Dr Brenner tries to keep her there. He has no choice but to let her go after the army arrives and storms the base.
Hopper, Joyce, Murray, Antonov and Yuri discover what else the Russians were hiding within their prison. They look for a way to get back home and while they wait, they try to clear some unfinished business in Russia.
After setting up an elaborate plan with multiple phases, it takes an almighty effort on many fronts to combat Vecna and try and save Hawkins from a terrible fate.
Feelings are shared and also buried deep inside while some major events also take place within this volume.
Performances
The child actors of this series are a class apart and an inspiration that talent has no age bar. They have showcased time and again that they are up to the task.
Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Millie Bobby Brown, Sadie Sink and Noah Schnapp all have emotional heavy moments where the intensity just oozes through the screen and will have you shedding a tear for sure.
Jamie Campbell Bower is still terrifying as the Big Bad, Vecna, and that malice and magnitude with which he portrays his role is commendable.
The rest of the cast also does a great job in coming together for this absolutely pleasing and enormous season finale.
Positives
The Duffer Brothers know how to round out a story and that is on full display over here. The conclusion to this season rivals all the previous ones and many other series’ as well.
The MO of having everyone split into groups before finally converging to one point was slightly altered which was a nice change. Having the groups spread further apart and working towards the same goal without any knowledge of what the others were going through was an interesting deviation from the norm.
The writers have given these young actors a great platform to show off that they can pull off exceptional scenes with their equally strong dialogue. Listening to these lines is at times inspirational and also tugs at the heartstrings.
The soundtrack of this volume is supreme. Every song choice, the synth heavy score, all collaborate to offer up a brilliant series. Eddie Munson’s metal concert in the Upside-down is an iconic sequence.
The effects department also deserves their flowers for the magnificent work regarding the Upside down and the makeup department gets a mention for the great looks that are served in this volume.
Negatives
The final half hour displaying the aftermath of the breaches opening is a massive comedown from the intense battle that just preceded it and could have been a tad bit shorter.
Verdict
The two episodes of Stranger Things season 4 volume 2 can be taken in one sitting despite running close to 3 hours and the entire time feels like a monumental event that the creators have not compromised on one bit. It’s filled with amazing moments that will evoke a variety of emotions within the audience from start to finish.
Rating: 4/5
Also Read: Stranger Things season 4 volume 2 ending explained: Does Vecna ultimately triumph?