Stranger Things (Season 1)

Director - Matt Duffer (Hidden, Eater) and Ross Duffer (Hidden, Eater)
Starring - Winona Ryder (Edward Scissorhands, Great Balls of Fire), David Harbour (Suicide Squad, The Green Hornet), and Millie Bobby Brown (Intrudes, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland)
Release Date - 2016
Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi
Tagline - "The world is turning upside down"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     Netflix has been killing it with their shows.  At first they had house wives all shook up with their show Orange is the New Black.  They then gave comics fans what they wanted with the shows Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and Luke Cage.  Now, they are sending horror and sci-fi fans alike crazy with their amazing nostalgia filled show Stranger Things.  So many people told me to check the show out when it first aired but I decided to hold off.  After constantly being told to check it out over and over again I decided to give it a go.  I absolutely fucking loved it.  It was fantastic and I couldn't get enough of it.  With season 2 fast approaching Netflix and Target partnered for the DVD/blu release of the show.  It was released on my birthday and my wife surprised me with the amazing set.

     The film begins with a group of small boys playing dungeons and dragons.  When it gets dark the kids separate and head home.  The next day at school they realize that one of them didn't make it home.  His family and friends start searching everyone for him but have no luck.  They do cross paths with a strange girl named Eleven who has a special power that she uses to save them from the school bully therefore thrusting them in the middle of a government cover up and a creature from another dimension.

     This review isn't really for the show itself.  If you haven't seen the show by this point you are a fucking loser.  Plain and simple.  This review is mostly for the box set which is fucking amazing.  I will briefly review the show before going over the full DVD/Blu set.  The acting in this one is fantastic.  I've seen my fair share of movies and shows centered around children but the acting in this one is leagues above most.  I can see why Stranger Things' Finn Wolfhard was cast in this years' smash hit It and an episode of Supernatural.  It was great seeing Winona Ryder again in the genre.  I grew up watching Edward Scissorhands so it was cool to see her in this amazing show.  She did a great job and I hope this reinvigorates her career.  The highlight of the show is Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, and Noah Schnapp.  This young cast is absolutely fantastic.  They show a range a emotions that most seasoned veterans in the industry still can't nail.  The story for this one is absolutely fantastic and can only be explained as E.T. meets The Goonies and tossed into the world of From Beyond.  The story does a great job at blending horror and sci-fi elements while giving a genuine 80s looks and feel.  This was clearly a project of love by the Duffers and every scene shows that.  Fans of 80s cinema, especially horror and sci-fi, will absolutely love this.  Finally, the film has some great practical and visual effects that really add to the aesthetics of the show.  There is some blood and a little gore that looks great but it is overshadowed by the amazing storytelling.

     Now for the box set.  The Target exclusive box set comes in a pretty rad package that takes you back to the days of the ma and pop video stores and big box VHS.  The set is made to look like a vintage VHS with a warn look to the cover to simulate shelf wear.  When you remove the set from the sleeve it is inside a cardboard VHS which houses the DVD and blu along with a limited edition alternate poster.  The case and sleeve look amazing but I am concerned about long term exposure.  It is just cardboard so pressure on your shelf, especially if you are a collector, could make this collapse.  Also, the discs are subject of becoming dislodged and scratched up more so than normal cases. Overall, Stranger Things season 1box set is reasonably priced and looks fantastic.  However, it is cheaply made and lacks any special features.  With a show that has a fan base like this you would expect tons of extra goodies for fans to enjoy while they wait on the new season.