Stranger Things

Originally posted by Digi
Well, TV shows get to cheat. They have more time. If that time is utilized well, it's almost always going to be a deeper experience. It's hard to compare mediums. But I think the comparison is fair, and Super 8 did a nice job building an interesting sci-fi tale with characters that you could care about.

Originally posted by Firefly218
Just because two things use the same idea doesn't mean they're equivalent. Buffy isn't Twilight with a tv show just because a girl falls in love with a vampire or a werewolf. The Walking Dead isn't a Dawn of the Dead tv show just because there's zombies. Stranger Things is in terms of character dynamics and story as uniquely spun as any other tv show, its only similarities to Super 8 are very surface and superficial. Sure they're in the same genre, they both involve protagonists that are kids and they both have mysterious monsters. It's not those things that make the show great, it's how those things are used and to what effect. Imo the first hour of the show alone is superior and more interesting than everything Super 8 did.

Originally posted by Firefly218
Just because two things use the same idea doesn't mean they're equivalent. Buffy isn't Twilight with a tv show just because a girl falls in love with a vampire or a werewolf. The Walking Dead isn't a Dawn of the Dead tv show just because there's zombies. Stranger Things is in terms of character dynamics and story as uniquely spun as any other tv show, its only similarities to Super 8 are very surface and superficial. Sure they're in the same genre, they both involve protagonists that are kids and they both have mysterious monsters. It's not those things that make the show great, it's how those things are used and to what effect. Imo the first hour of the show alone is superior and more interesting than everything Super 8 did.

I don't think the similarities are superficial at all. I got a very similar feeling from both, in terms of the relationships between the characters, and the tensions between them. And the superficial similarities, as you call them, are pretty comprehensive. Both have a jaded cop mourning the loss of someone, both are set in roughly the same time period ('79 vs. '83) and in the same part of the country (Ohio/Indiana), giving off a distinct suburban middle-America vibe. Townspeople missing, shady government types with a vague conspiracy feeling, a grade school science teacher as plot device, and plucky young nerds with hearts of gold. Hell, both aliens hang people in their lairs and use them for food. And that's just off the top of my head. If you want to go to critical reception, ST has been called an homage to Spielberg films, and he produced Super 8. Or if we want to appeal to mass opinion, do a search for "Stranger Things Super 8." There are a several results. Your Buffy/Twilight example is a strawman. By nearly any method of comparison, Super 8 and Stranger Things are incredibly similar, both in objective details and emotional core.

However, you're taking my original comment out of context. I meant it as a compliment, not as a cross-media comparison. That you didn't like one doesn't erase the similarities, nor does a comparison of the two cheapen the cool, original ways that Stranger Things isn't like Super 8.

Originally posted by Digi
I don't think the similarities are superficial at all. I got a very similar feeling from both, in terms of the relationships between the characters, and the tensions between them. And the superficial similarities, as you call them, are pretty comprehensive. Both have a jaded cop mourning the loss of someone, both are set in roughly the same time period ('79 vs. '83) and in the same part of the country (Ohio/Indiana), giving off a distinct suburban middle-America vibe. Townspeople missing, shady government types with a vague conspiracy feeling, a grade school science teacher as plot device, and plucky young nerds with hearts of gold. Hell, both aliens hang people in their lairs and use them for food. And that's just off the top of my head. If you want to go to critical reception, ST has been called an homage to Spielberg films, and he produced Super 8. Or if we want to appeal to mass opinion, do a search for "Stranger Things Super 8." There are a several results. Your Buffy/Twilight example is a strawman. By nearly any method of comparison, Super 8 and Stranger Things are incredibly similar, both in objective details and emotional core.

However, you're taking my original comment out of context. I meant it as a compliment, not as a cross-media comparison. That you didn't like one doesn't erase the similarities, nor does a comparison of the two cheapen the cool, original ways that Stranger Things isn't like Super 8.

I might get into this.

...Maybe.

I saw the fight scene between Johnathan and Steve.

Yeah, the fight between Steve and Johnahthahn was pretty good.

I liked that fight just on how relateable it was alone.

Originally posted by Digi
I don't think the similarities are superficial at all. I got a very similar feeling from both, in terms of the relationships between the characters, and the tensions between them. And the superficial similarities, as you call them, are pretty comprehensive. Both have a jaded cop mourning the loss of someone, both are set in roughly the same time period ('79 vs. '83) and in the same part of the country (Ohio/Indiana), giving off a distinct suburban middle-America vibe. Townspeople missing, shady government types with a vague conspiracy feeling, a grade school science teacher as plot device, and plucky young nerds with hearts of gold. Hell, both aliens hang people in their lairs and use them for food. And that's just off the top of my head. If you want to go to critical reception, ST has been called an homage to Spielberg films, and he produced Super 8. Or if we want to appeal to mass opinion, do a search for "Stranger Things Super 8." There are a several results. Your Buffy/Twilight example is a strawman. By nearly any method of comparison, Super 8 and Stranger Things are incredibly similar, both in objective details and emotional core.

However, you're taking my original comment out of context. I meant it as a compliment, not as a cross-media comparison. That you didn't like one doesn't erase the similarities, nor does a comparison of the two cheapen the cool, original ways that Stranger Things isn't like Super 8.

I agree.... Super 8 harked back strongly to the 80s movies like ET and Close Encounters. ST harks back to many movies from the era and the style: a LOT of ET, The Goonies, Stand by Me, It.... etc etc...

It is VERY much a homage series in the style of Super 8.

This was a fun series to watch, but not as great as the hype led me to believe. Still a good watch and recommended.

Cool show. Perhaps a bit overhyped, but enjoyable nonetheless and great nostalgia to classic 80's films/shows.

So I take it the one Jonathon, Nancy and Steve fought was different to the one Eleven killed..

YouTube video

Have my doubts, thinking this show could be a single-season-wonder. Still going to watch it though.

Originally posted by Robtard
Have my doubts, thinking this show could be a single-season-wonder. Still going to watch it though.

Yeah, it will be hard to live up to the first season, but I am still hoping they can pull it off.

I think the hype was right...

everyone and the aunt told me to watch it before I actually did. and I have to say I haven't been that impressed in awhile. I really liked the way

[i]Stranger Things delivered in spades all the things that mattered; I was happy, I was sad, I was scared and most of all they made me care. [/B]

as was stated earlier.

probably my top on Netflix originals as being just a great all around show. I loved the Marvel shows too but ST just has it all.

i still need to finish this up

Just finished the first season.

Very overrated show. Not a bad show, but not particularly good either. Definitely not the best netflix original, as many claimed it was.

Watched the first episode of this last night. I was impressed. Intrigued enough to keep watching.

Toto's "Africa" in the first episode... 😂

Aliens?

Originally posted by Trocity
Just finished the first season.

Very overrated show. Not a bad show, but not particularly good either. Definitely not the best netflix original, as many claimed it was.

I have to agree, it's not bad..but I did not find it as utterly amazing as some did. For me I got less interested as the season went on, the first few episodes drew me in far more than the later ones.

I will watch the second season though.

Originally posted by Patient_Leech
Watched the first episode of this last night. I was impressed. Intrigued enough to keep watching.

Toto's "Africa" in the first episode... 😂

When it comes to music it seems everybody is using the Stranger Things theme song in their youtube videos these days. The theme does seem to perfectly capture the essence of the story and time period.

Only 3 more episodes left on this and rather enjoying it. It's superbly directed with great performances, especially Wynona Rider and the kids. It's a fun show so far. Hope the last few episodes don't ruin it.

It reminds me of a combination of...

The X-Files - mysterious paranormal activity
Twin Peaks - 'death' of a kid in a small town
Kung Fury - the 80s music and vibes