Well, we know the latest release from Netflix broke the service again and that there is now a little dissatisfaction of the focus on Holly Wheeler; the audience feeling it was detracting too much from the main characters’ story arc. Having said that, the fans’ passion for the series seems undaunted.
Netflix publicised that the final instalment on New Year’s Day was going to be have a theatrical release, (sadly only in the US) as well as showing in the Netflix streaming service. I for one, wondered if this was a sign of the ice melting around Ted Sarandos’ view that their releases were purely ‘subscriber first’.
And then there’s this!
“The AMC Kips Bay in New York City listed 11 screenings as “almost full” on New Year’s Eve alone. (There are New Year’s Day showings, as well.) The 34th Street theater filled up nine screenings, and Lincoln Square had five showings nearing capacity. The same demand was seen on the opposite coast in Los Angeles, where The Grove packed the house for seven screenings, the Century City AMC had eight, and Universal CityWalk turned out 11. Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, and more cities where the finale is playing saw similar demand, and all of these sales took place days before showtime. (These figures were tallied on Sunday, December 28.) By New Year’s Eve, Netflix’s latest “event” screenings should be even busier.”
Will Netflix be changing their release strategy? Will the acquisition of Warner Bros, (if it isn’t stopped by the FTC), be a further clue to this change of heart?
Are you enjoying this current series? What do you make of Holly stealing the limelight from the more established characters?
https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/stranger-things-sequels-should...
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Geoff Hall I think the opinions, after the marketing stories in the trades, is that this has in fact been done before with event type releases. Whether it signals anything with Netflix or not, who knows? Don't forget they've been a members of the MPA since 2018. So it's not just a Netflix strategy in that context, it's to a certain degree a cooperative group move, if in fact it's a specific strategy beyond boosting this particular franchise.
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The Holly storyline is okay, Geoff Hall. The season is underwhelming in my opinion.
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Maurice Vaughan I know what you mean. It fells cluttered with extraneous ‘action’. Overly long, would be another way to put it, perhaps?
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I agree, Geoff Hall. Season 5 looks fantastic! The entire series does. I like some things about season 5. I think some of the characters making different choices, some scenes having more emotional impact, better pacing in some places, and less focus on Holly's storyline would've made the season incredible.
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I watched the finale last night, Geoff Hall.
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Maurice Vaughan hi Maurice, happy Sunday! I still have to watch the penultimate episode, so I’ll hold off commenting anymore till I’ve watched the grand finale. Did you watch it at home or in the cinema?
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Happy Sunday, Geoff Hall! I saw the finale at home.
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Maurice Vaughan Hi Maurice, I watched it yesterday and thought it was a great finale and probably the only one which wouldn't have felt like a cop-out. It was a brilliant conclusion and the only loose end to me, was what happened to Dr Kay (Linda Hamilton).
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The finale saved the season for me, Geoff Hall. There's things in the finale that could've been a lot better in my opinion though.
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Maurice Vaughan fire away, Maurice…
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Here's one thing I think could've been a lot better, Geoff Hall. SPOILER! The final battle was too short, emotionless, it wasn't suspenseful, and some things didn't make sense, like why the giant monster was hurt by rifle bullets.
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Maurice Vaughan gotcha, Maurice. I suppose with such an expansive story and the finale already running for over two hours, then decisions had to be made. I wonder if there’s an uncut version of it?
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I can see that being the reason, Geoff Hall, but the season and series were building up to that key battle. I think they could've made other parts in the finale shorter and made the battle longer. Hopefully there is an uncut version. Netflix should release it if there's one. People would definitely watch it.