When the Duffer Brothers said they wanted to show the final episode Stranger Things in theaters, some people weren't surprised since some episodes were long enough to be movies. Happens all the time on Game of Thrones.
Showing the last act, "The Right Side Up", turned out to be a good idea. It packed Reno's Cinemark Century Park 16 on New Year's Eve MANY times, and did the same on New Year's Day despite competition from college football.
The other reason: tickets are 20 bucks but it winds up being free. It's almost as good as watching at home, only bigger speakers and free snacks. The voucher's not THAT much, but if you calculate it well, it's great. Just think outside the need for popcorn.
There were fans ready for the experience...
Now BBC America used to show Doctor Who episodes in theaters, like "The Husbands of River Song", but they didn't exactly pack houses. Netflix really threw the dice thinking Stranger Things could pull in fans away from TVs at towards theaters. It's also proof Netflix is NOT to blame for fewer people going to theaters. It's medium popcorn for eight bucks. That's why they have to go to drastic measures like Marty Supreme popcorn buckets.
So, how was the finale?
Here's what Entertainment Weekly thought of it, but I thought it was a solid finale. I would have preferred certain things happen, like Dr. Kay gets eaten by a Demogorgon (it could still happen if there's occasional follow-ups like Nancy Wheeler as the new Kolchak).
They added a surprising insight on Vecna, but he also winds up clashing with karma. Just see the episode, you'll know.
The biggest debate was what really happened to Eleven. The Duffer Brothers set it up for the viewer to decide, but she made sure crazy scientists with mutated definitions of patriotism (hello, General Shaw) won't try to remake her. If Netflix and the Duffers want to "continue" the story, they have a loophole, but it still has to be temporary. If El is somehow still around, she should get ONE curtain call and that's it. Also, have her prove she can do more than telepathic powers. If she wins without it, that's her mic drop and farewell.
Besides, Holly is clearly the next leader.
Still, it makes you wonder why HBO didn't try this for the last act of Game of Thrones...or if anyone can do this again. It's not like Netflix premiering a movie then showing it at the streamer a month later.
Maybe Hulu can show the first Buffy revival episode in theaters then on Disney Plus/Hulu a week later.
In any case, it was a great way to spend part of New Year's Eve.
Now comes awards season, which should boost ticket sales thanks to movie fans who need to catch up on seeing nominated movies.
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