Stranger Things: Tales from '85 review – A welcome return to Hawkins

If a TV show or film proves successful enough, chances are you’ll eventually see it rebooted or continued in animated form. Everything from Star Wars to Robocop and Ghostbusters to Spider-man has been given the cartoon treatment over the decades. Now, Stranger Things has been given an animated makeover.

Mere months after the conclusion of the sci-fi drama’s fifth and final season, the new Netflix series Stranger Things: Tales from '85 takes us back to Hawkins – and back in time to the months between seasons 2 and 3.

Executive produced by creative masterminds the Duffer Brothers, we rejoin Mike, Eleven, Lucas, Dustin, Will and Max as their younger selves. Great news for those of us pining for new adventures featuring the bike-riding party, but a move also in keeping with the Saturday-morning cartoons its characters were likely watching back in the day.

The modern 3D animation is, admittedly, a technological leap on from the shows that inspired Tales from '85, including The Real Ghostbusters, even if it does feel a little less charming as a result. But despite the decision not to echo that 1980s’ 2D feel, the animated series does succeed in recapturing the magic of its live-action counter part. And once you adjust to the new voice cast, the essence of our favourite characters ultimately shines through – Elisha Williams (Lucas) and Braxton Quinney (Dustin) being particular standouts.

Stranger Things would, of course, be nothing without its villains – and Tales from '85 is no slouch, with an impressively goo-splattered monster that echoes the shark from Jaws. So, yes, there are touches of horror, but the violence is notably less bloody than what we’ve seen before, in keeping with the new show's more family friendly tone.

The main draw for many though will be the chance to spend some bonus hours with the main party prior to the darkness of seasons four and five. Tales from '85 captures the magic of the show's earlier seasons and keeps the cast united for much of its ten episode run, something the original show often didn’t do. And there’s even space to add a newbie into the mix - Nikki, the rebellious daughter of the new substitute teacher at Hawkins Middle School.

The main issue with Tales from '85 is also by product of its greatest selling point. By setting the show between season two and three, the main party can’t really change or evolve in any meaningful way. The established timeline cannot be altered, so there’s a slight sense of the narrative spinning its wheels in the snow. And because it skews younger, more mature regulars such as Nancy, Steve and Hopper remain sidelined.

That being said, by the end of the series, you’ll find your heart warmed by the returning characters and comforting world, even if nothing much really changes. For those wanting to bridge the gap between seasons two and three or just spend more time in the company of the characters we love, the trip back to the mid-80s is well worth it.

Stranger Things: Tales from '85 will air on Netflix on Thursday 23 April. All Stranger Things seasons are available to stream on Netflix now.

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