Say you may separate your self from the contestants’ ache, or you do not thoughts as a result of they’ve signed on for this, the query nonetheless stays — is “Squid Game: The Challenge” any good as a contest actuality sequence? The reply, as a lot because it pains me to say it, is sure. Everything from a manufacturing standpoint is spectacular, from the sheer dimension of the competitors to the way in which each the video games and “downtime” are shot and edited. There are clear heroes and villains, alliances that come to imply one thing, and the video games themselves are (principally) compelling. For instance, it is unattainable to make Dalgona, the cookie sport, something however disgusting in actual life, particularly when one of many contestants is having a stress response and is close to to vomiting. Of the 5 episodes despatched to critics, that was the one really disagreeable or boring sport. I used to be genuinely dissatisfied once I ran out of episodes, as a result of I wished to see what would occur to the contestants I had gotten hooked up to. It’s pretty well-made actuality tv, however at what price?
When the remainder of the episodes launch, I can’t end “Squid Game: The Challenge,” despite the fact that I’ll admit that I’m curious the way it all seems. That’s due to the gifted creatives who put the sequence collectively and the contestants themselves, and I actually really feel like all of them deserve higher by some means. The actuality sequence should not have to show us the identical classes as the unique sequence over again, however that is what we received.
/Film Rating: 4 out of 10
“Squid Game: The Challenge” premieres on Netflix on November 22, 2023.