Knick-knacks at the ready, because Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is here! Hailing from showrunner Eric Robles (Fanboy & Chum Chum, Glitch Techs) and executive produced by creators Matt and Ross Duffer, this animated expansion of the hit Netflix series boasts beautiful animation, a striking use of complementary colors, and a bangin’ backtrack of ‘80s hits. None of the original cast is present and, for those who’ve already watched all five seasons of Stranger Things, it’s a little predictable—but in the end, I’d wager it’s also the perfect remedy for anyone anxious to take a trip back to the Upside Down.
Picking up shortly after the events of Season 2, Tales From ’85 finds Eleven (Brooklyn Davey Norstedt), Mike (Luca Diaz), Will (Benjamin Plessala), Lucas (Elisha Williams), Dustin (Braxton Quinney), and Max (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport) wrangling with a new batch of cantankerous critters that have begun popping up around town and terrorizing the locals—albeit in a far more family-friendly fashion than we’re used to seeing from this franchise. Still, while Tales From ’85 dials back the intensity of its live-action counterpart, the 10-episode adventure does an admirable job of earning its place within established canon while expanding upon it in the process.
The plot keeps things focused on the core group of kids, while familiar faces like Jim Hopper (Brett Gipson), Nancy Wheeler (Alessandra Antonelli), and everyone’s favorite “haircut with lips,” Steve Harrington (Jeremy Jordan) and his burgundy BMW, are relegated to smaller supporting roles. There are also a number of new faces this time around, including transfer student Nikki Baxter (Odessa A’zion) and her eccentric science teacher mom, Anna (Janeane Garofalo), who ends up subbing at Hawkins Middle School for Mr. Clarke. Nikki—a tough, tomboyish type sporting a bright pink mohawk and a penchant for tinkering—starts off as an outsider but quickly proves her worth. After being swept up in an unexpected “snow shark” attack, she’s inducted into the group and begins contributing her scientific know-how to the team. Seriously, this chick could go toe-to-toe with Egon Spengler! Watch the last few episodes and you’ll see exactly what I mean.
As one would expect, this new creature—and the ones that follow—stem from something related to the Upside Down. It’s up to the kids to figure out what that is and who, or what, is behind it all. Like I said, it’s predictable, and due to its firm placement between Seasons 2 and 3, the stakes aren’t particularly high in the grand scheme of things. But you know what? It totally works. This is a self-contained adventure. One that seems determined to showcase just how well this familiar world can flourish in a fresh, new medium.
It also serves as a great starting point for those slightly younger viewers looking to get a taste of what Stranger Things is all about—at least until mom and dad finally cave and let them stay up late to watch a Demogorgon get beat down with a studded bat. That said, there’s plenty here for longtime fans as well. The creatures are (to borrow a phrase from the decade) gnarly, the ‘80s references are plentiful—Centipede, E.T., Knight Rider, She-Ra, Swamp Thing, the list goes on and on—and there’s more than enough neon-soaked ambience to make even the late, great Joel Schumacher blush.
No, it’s not on par with what Disney is doing with Maul, nor is it as good as what Universal and DreamWorks pulled off with Jurassic World. But, if you ask this writer, Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 is essential viewing for those hungry to see Hawkins in a whole new light! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to meet some friends at the arcade. Any chance I could bum a couple quarters?
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