Squid Game (2021)

Just totally worth it.

Visually excellent, the dark broody streets of run down neighbourhoods contrasted with the pastel, immaculate high contrast world of the game, Superbly cast and acted, the characters are well written, their desperation made palpable and importantly, all too believable. Kept me invested throughout with episode 6 being one of my favourite and most emotionally resonant episodes of television I'd seen in a while. Goes a bit off the boil towards the end which was my least favourite part and almost undoes some of the earlier good work but overall entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable.

A perfect opening and great second episode , is let down by below average follow up episodes , which are unable to achieve the tensions or intrigue presented in earlier episodes. It may be masterpiece for those who have find death game genre through squid game, but the series death game personally didn't do much for me because I have expirenced the games and tension and political commentary from superior servings such as Kaiji and thousands of other death battle manga, Liar Game being the best .

first two episode 10 and 9
middle episode rating average 6
Final episode 5(unnecessarily extending the stale concept)

Overall 6.1/10

extremely disappointing idea theft
So once there was "The most dangerous game" (you see "game" in the title?) where shipwreckes survivors are hunted by Count Zaroff and if they survive they're free. Then on the "survive or win" we have Cube, Saw, Death race, Hunger games, Battle royale (already the most ripped off in Squid Game, As the gods will (also extremely ripped off in Squid Game).
So here the theme is the bleak today's world where a father can't keep a job and gain money for his family. So an invite comes for a game where you can gain big money. But soon contestants die. My interest died at this point. But to have an opinion, I watched it til the end. There was a big reveal, wow that was the best they could do?
So to be precise in the ripoffs. Battle Royale, teenagers are sent to an island and the sole survivor is freed. This is a GAME, there's rules, a duration, an objective. Same for SG, rules, objective, duration. As the gods will we have teenagers visited by a strange head sculpture that takes them hostage and makes them participate in various KIDS games where most will die. Does it describe Squid Game? Especially the "kids" games turned to horror adult death traps.
The directing and acting are average at best. I got fed upo with the father fast with his stunned face he does all the time.
Some design of the games is OK, but also close to As the gods will.
I put 1/10 for obvious steal of an already oversused idea (yeah Hunger Games was of the most horrible movies I've sen in my life).

Whilst not an entirely original idea, "Squid Game" is done with enough inspiration, to warrant at least, a look.

That said, it took me quite some time to tune in. The idea didn't immediately appeal to me, as it did a lot of other viewers. I found the first season, creative, colourful and more than little disturbing. Of course, children's games combined with murder, was never going to be comfortable mix.

I do believe season one is markedly better than the second go around. Season two offers more of the same, with less of the intrigue inherent in the first season. The introduction of blatant DEI content in season two, is something I could have well and truly done without, too.

In summary, I believe "Squid Game" is a one season hit. Having watched all of season one and most of season two, I see little to distinguish two from its predecessor.Give season one a go by all means but my personal belief is season two, adds little of value. I rate season one 7/10 and two 6/10.