The Hungry Games: Alaska's Big Bear Challenge
By Stephanie Morgan,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Funny fake-competition bear docu has violence, innuendo.
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The Hungry Games: Alaska's Big Bear Challenge
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What's the Story?
THE HUNGRY GAMES: ALASKA'S BIG BEAR CHALLENGE is a docuseries filmed in Katmai National Park on the Arctic coast. It uniquely presents Alaskan brown bears as contestants in a survival competition who must gain nearly 200 pounds across 150 days while being judged in three categories: beefiness, ingenuity, and grit.
Is It Any Good?
Family-friendly and funny, with a cheeky narrator (Rhys Darby), this docuseries cleverly engages kids in learning about nature by turning the bears into characters competing in a staged competition. In addition to scoring and eliminations, the incredible The Hungry Games: Alaska's Big Bear Challenge footage of young cubs and the beautiful Alaskan landscape adds to the appeal. Despite the fun twist, though, the series can drag at times and may lose the attention of younger viewers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the challenges and techniques involved in wildlife filmmaking. Consider the use of advanced camera equipment, drones, and remote cameras that allow filmmakers to capture intimate and detailed footage without disturbing the animals. What kind of patience and dedication is required to observe and document the natural behavior of wildlife over long periods?
What did you think of the bears' perseverance and determination to survive? How does grit help the bears overcome obstacles and endure hardships? How does it feel similar to human experiences?
How do bears prepare for winter by gaining weight during the summer and fall, and how do they use their keen senses and physical adaptations to find food and stay safe? Compare these strategies to how other animals and humans adapt to challenging environments.
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 11, 2024
- Cast: Rhys Darby
- Network: Peacock
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Wild Animals
- Character Strengths: Perseverance
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: July 12, 2024
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