Prime Video’s new show Beast Games , hosted by YouTuber MrBeast (James Stephen Donaldson), lands with more controversy than charisma. The series, which borrows heavily from Squid Game , has been plagued by allegations of mistreatment during production and questionable partnerships, setting the stage for a chaotic debut. Despite its eye-catching $100 million budget, Beast Games struggles to justify the price tag, offering little more than a soulless spectacle.
  Controversial Beginnings
The making of Beast Games was marred by allegations reminiscent of the infamous Fyre Festival. Participants reportedly endured harsh conditions during the preliminary rounds, with claims of withheld medication, sexual harassment, and grueling waivers acknowledging risks of “heat stroke, burns, and death.” While the producers deny these allegations, the shadow lingers as the show begins its rollout.
  Dull Challenges and Flashy Production
The series kicks off with 1,000 contestants competing for a $5 million prize, reduced from an original 2,000 in earlier controversial heats. The challenges are unremarkable—balancing colored bricks or facing moral dilemmas like accepting $80,000 to leave the game while eliminating their teammates. The staging is a spectacle: brightly lit platforms in a warehouse setting and the fictional "Beast City," an over-the-top yet soulless environment that fails to excite.
  MrBeast: A Miscast Host
Donaldson’s persona, honed for YouTube’s energetic, low-stakes environment, falters on a big-budget production. His brash, shouty style and lack of charisma create a vacuum that no amount of dazzling production can fill. The rotating cast of co-hosts and contestants are similarly underutilized, leaving the focus squarely on MrBeast—an unwise choice given his limited appeal in this format.
  Financial Ethics Under Fire
Adding to the controversy is MrBeast’s partnership with a contentious FinTech app, which has drawn criticism for encouraging debt traps. The app features prominently in the show, with contestants directed to enter a $4.2 million sweepstake via QR codes—a move that has sparked backlash from financial watchdogs.
  Derivative and Directionless
The series heavily borrows from Squid Game and its reality spin-off, but lacks the cultural critique and emotional depth that made its predecessor a phenomenon. What remains is a hollow imitation, propped up by a massive budget yet devoid of substance.
  Final Verdict
For all its hype and high production values, Beast Games fails to deliver meaningful entertainment. The uninspired challenges, lackluster hosting, and ethical concerns make it feel more like a cash grab than a groundbreaking game show. Amazon’s $100 million gamble seems to have bought little more than a flashy dud.
  Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Good luck to the contestants, but for viewers and Amazon alike, Beast Games is a losing proposition. 
calendar_month20/12/2024 01:47 pm