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jekylljuice · 04-10-2009, 01:21 AM

Another dosage of Stella Street, Series 3 on this occasion.

Given that Series 2 represented such a neat refinement of the original concept, this one...was more of a mixed bag, to be honest.

THE GOOD:

This is noticeably more plot-driven than the previous two series, with a fairly intricate narrative that extends throughout the entirety of the series. Well, it�s certainly a nice idea in theory � it�s different, and offers the various big name celebrity characters (and Jimmy Hill) a chance to do something other than totter around Stella Street struggling to live out their mundane lives.

There are some pretty nice bits of continuity with Season 2 throughout.

Sting is in it (albeit briefly).

Ditto Anthony Hopkins.

Ditto Alec Guinness.

Ditto Alan Rickman.

David Bowie is given slightly more to do this series.

Overall, it still held my interest and provided me with enough amusement to make it worth the full watch.

THE BAD:

Unfortunately, the notion of big name celebrities (and Jimmy Hill) tottering around Stella Street struggling to live out their mundane lives was by and large the founding appeal of the previous two series, and the more distinctive narrative arc does come at the expense of the laughs somewhat. Here, it�s the story that drives the characters, as opposed to the exclusively character-driven action of series past. Eh, I can see why they felt the need to shake things up a bit more, if only in the interests of variation, but the new approach just doesn�t work as well. Maybe if it had been funnier...

John Hurt isn't in it any more, having abandoned the street at the end of Series 2. Too bad, since he was my favourite character.

"Sting" doesn't sound a bit like Sting � I don�t really know what was going on with the vocal impersonation there.

Len the gardener has evidentially worn out his welcome. Or at least, they seem to have run out of particularly funny and functional things for him to do. Here, he just freaks out and has psychotic episodes with little point or context.

Oddly, given that narrative is given greater emphasis this time around, a pretty interesting plot strand is curiously abandoned quite early on.

THE UGLY:

Marlon Brando. Nuff said.

04-10-2009, 01:21 AM	#956
jekylljuice Executive Weasel Ball jekylljuice was here. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: the 44th floor (not counting the mezzanine) Posts: 1,568	Another dosage of Stella Street, Series 3 on this occasion. Given that Series 2 represented such a neat refinement of the original concept, this one...was more of a mixed bag, to be honest. THE GOOD: This is noticeably more plot-driven than the previous two series, with a fairly intricate narrative that extends throughout the entirety of the series. Well, it�s certainly a nice idea in theory � it�s different, and offers the various big name celebrity characters (and Jimmy Hill) a chance to do something other than totter around Stella Street struggling to live out their mundane lives. There are some pretty nice bits of continuity with Season 2 throughout. Sting is in it (albeit briefly). Ditto Anthony Hopkins. Ditto Alec Guinness. Ditto Alan Rickman. David Bowie is given slightly more to do this series. Overall, it still held my interest and provided me with enough amusement to make it worth the full watch. THE BAD: Unfortunately, the notion of big name celebrities (and Jimmy Hill) tottering around Stella Street struggling to live out their mundane lives was by and large the founding appeal of the previous two series, and the more distinctive narrative arc does come at the expense of the laughs somewhat. Here, it�s the story that drives the characters, as opposed to the exclusively character-driven action of series past. Eh, I can see why they felt the need to shake things up a bit more, if only in the interests of variation, but the new approach just doesn�t work as well. Maybe if it had been funnier... John Hurt isn't in it any more, having abandoned the street at the end of Series 2. Too bad, since he was my favourite character. "Sting" doesn't sound a bit like Sting � I don�t really know what was going on with the vocal impersonation there. Len the gardener has evidentially worn out his welcome. Or at least, they seem to have run out of particularly funny and functional things for him to do. Here, he just freaks out and has psychotic episodes with little point or context. Oddly, given that narrative is given greater emphasis this time around, a pretty interesting plot strand is curiously abandoned quite early on. THE UGLY: Marlon Brando. Nuff said. __________________ That's it, The End, But you'll get over it, My Friend. Last edited by jekylljuice; 04-10-2009 at 01:28 AM.