‘Stranger Things’ S03E01 first impressions + a peek at a real-life Starcourt Mall

The neon-lit Starcourt Mall recently came to life as Netflix Philippines launched the highly anticipated (and highly marketed) third season of Stranger Things at Cinema 3 of Bonifacio High Street Cinemas in Central Square Mall, BGC. The lobby of the cinema was turned to a portal into an ’80s summer to remember with a passageway to the eerie Upside Down!

’80S SUMMER PARTY AT STARCOURT

If you need inspirations for your next DIY throwback/ Stranger Things-themed party, check out these booths featuring ‘80s best!

(Photo courtesy of Netflix/ Magic Liwanag)

Fans were transported into Summer 1985 with Starcourt Mall’s most popular shops, including an ‘80s aerobics gym, where we posed with these gym instructors.

It isn’t the ‘80s without flashy looks, so I had a quick makeover at this beauty salon which also has fabulous outfits (with shoulder pads).

Fans unleashed their inner Steve at Scoops Ahoy, where guests can dress up in the show’s sailor uniforms and enjoy frozen treats.

(Photo courtesy of Netflix/ Magic Liwanag)

At the opposite of Starcourt Mall was the dark and creepy world of the Upside Down — actors dressed in Hazmat suits guarded the entrance, while the ominous tentacles led guests into the dangerous portal of the cinema.

FIRST EPISODE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The Stranger Things 3 gang

It’s hard not to drop spoilers so please excuse me if I may leave slight hints here and there, but so far, we’re a hundred percent sure that the first episode left us wanting to binge-watch the entire season!

Our favorite kids are now all grown-up and teenage hormones are already kicking in! The first episode is filled with a lot of love-related concerns – both from the kids and the parents’ end. We’d be lying if we don’t admit that Eleven and Mike’s cute scenes didn’t give us kilig vibes, though! We stan this pairing!

Finn Wolfhard and Millie Bobby Brown in Stranger Things 3 (Photo courtesy of Netflix)

The first episode is basically a refresher of each character’s relationship with one another, coming from how the second season ended. However, Hopper is now more protective of his “daughter” El and Joyce is already removing her reins on Will. Although still having a strong connection with the Upside Down, I’m really glad that Will was spared of intense hauntings (at least on the first episode) and we can take a chill pill for now. Noah Schnapp’s acting is still top-notch, believable enough to make the audience want to protect him at any cost.


(L-R) Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in Stranger Things 3 (Photo courtesy of Netflix)

Opening the third season with cute scenes, bits of background stories, and snippets of how each character is doing was a great way to start. Maybe just a warning for those watching the series by 3 PM on the 4th of July: Expect to see something else, aside from fireworks, exploding on your screens. Will not recommend you to watch it during mealtime!

This show is one of the few series that we’d skip nap time for and we’re sure you’ll love it as well if you got hooked on the first two seasons. Highly recommended.

MORE ABOUT STRANGER THINGS 3

It’s 1985 in Hawkins, Indiana, and summer’s heating up. School’s out, there’s a brand new mall in town, and the Hawkins crew are on the cusp of adulthood. Romance blossoms and complicates the group’s dynamic, and they’ll have to figure out how to grow up without growing apart.

Meanwhile, danger looms. When the town’s threatened by enemies old and
new, Eleven and her friends are reminded that evil never ends; it evolves. Now they’ll have to band together to survive, and remember that friendship is always stronger than fear.

The show was created by The Duffer Brothers with executive producers Ross Duffer, Matt Duffer, Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen, and Iain Patterson. Episodes 1, 2, 7, and 8 have been directed by The Duffer Brothers, Episodes 3 and 4 were under Shawny Levy, while Episodes 5 and 6 were led by Ulta Briesewitz.

The star-studded cast returns with Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, David Harbour as Chief Jim Hopper, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Noah Schnapp as Will Byers, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Cara Buono as Karen Wheeler, Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Dacre Montgomery as Billy, and Sadie Sink as Max, Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair. They are joined by fresh faces – Maya Hawke as Robin, Jake Busey as Bruce, and Cary Elwes as Mayor Kline.

Head over to Netflix right now and add this show to your “To-Watch List”. Set your 3 PM alarms on July 4 and fon’t forget to follow Manila Millennial on FacebookInstagram, and Twitter for instant updates about the latest Netflix shows!

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One Reply to “‘Stranger Things’ S03E01 first impressions + a peek at a real-life Starcourt Mall”

  1. Wow! I just finished Enola Holmes. You can watch it on Netflix if you haven’t already. Millie Bobby Brown is in it, and she’s fantastic! I thought she was great in Stranger Things as well. Did you?

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