Masterpiece Issue 1 | Page 12

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Recently, Netflix launched the 3rd season of an international reality show that has conquered the world and undoubtedly came to stay. The biggest differential of Ultimate Beastmaster is that it is a reality on a global level. Each episode follows the fight of 9 participants on a course full of hard obstacles, each one representing their own country: Brazil, United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico, USA, South Korea, Germany, Italy and France. The participants are usually renowned climbers or athletes. They have to go through a series of difficult obstacles, divided in 3 levels, which will test their strengths and skills in parkour or climbing. The third season also has a new game system: on each episode 2 participants are selected for the semi final. After 3 episodes, in which 6 participants have been selected, there is a semi final where only 2 pass to the next phase. There are two semi finals and after the 4 players have been qualified, there is a final, in which only 1 player is crowned the Ultimate Beastmaster.

The design of the game hasn’t changed that much, but many moments of it are still exciting. Each country has 2 narrators that keep viewers interested in the competition by making jokes, cheering for or against the countries and commenting on the performances.

I understand that the course has to be the same for all candidates, but sometimes it gets boring to see it again and again, so it would be really nice if they did something to change that and let the episodes more dynamic, but I have to admit - the architecture and edition of the program is jaw-dropping! The beast-shaped structure is amazing and the wonderful edition, which can put the comments of all countries, the biography of the participants, the route they take and pictures of what the place is like in just 50 minutes!

is amazing and the wonderful edition, which can put the comments of all countries, the biography of the participants, the route they take and pictures of what the place is like in just 50 minutes! Netflix released a version of the series for each country, so in Brazil, for example, the comments of Rafinha Bastos (comedian) and Anderson Silva (fighter) appear more frequently, besides opening and ending the episodes.

After all, I recommend this series to everyone who wants to watch something different from what they usually watch. I was delighted by the first episode, and although it's a show I like to watch calmly, when I have a lot of free time (almost never), I do not consider it a series where much attention is needed (unless you cheer fiercely for a candidate). My tip: this is a series I like to see sitting on the couch over the weekend, eating popcorn and relaxing! I do not usually marathon this kind of series, but feel free to do whatever you want! Just be careful, all this adrenaline can make you want to jump and start hanging in your house!

OVERALL RATING: ****

by Mirela Margoni

REVIEW: ULTIMATE BEASTMASTER: a competition of strength and skills

Artwork by: Mirela Margoni