Battle Royale

[BlueYoshi]

When this movie had finished, I was shocked rather than stunned, simply because I've never seen anything like it before.

For those of you who don't know, Kinji Fukasaku's Battle Royale is a Japaese made film that emphasises on violence, depression, and fear. The story hits off as Japan is in a state of near-collapse, both economically and socially, and youthful protest amongst school kids has become uncontrollable - therefore the lingering government decides to introduce a new radical law: The Battle Royale Act.

From all the schools in the country, one class will be randomly selected and abducted to a deserted island where they will be forced to fight each other to the death followed by many harsh and unfair regulations - and only one can survive as the victor.

Starring Kitano Takeshi (otherwise known as 'Beat' Takeshi) as a vengeful teacher hoping to get his own back at his former students, Battle Royale shocked the nation with its violent appeal and stunning plot.

What did you think of it?

[Shiguru]

All I knew was that it was based on a manga of the same name that got large readers in Japan.

I'll check it out if I see it. (Which is doubtful.)

[Panda]

I enjoyed the movie. I was with a group of friends at Anime Expo last year and we watched it all together. It does make you think about if you were put in that situation what you would do. Would you kill your friends to stay alive?

I did like the girl who was on the video tape explaining the rules...she was just so perky for the situation. It just added to the uncomfortable feel of the entire movie. The way she was acting just made it seem like this was all fine and good. Like the BR Act was no different than any other law out there. It had a Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" feel to it.

I really don't know what I would do. It was a bit depressing seeing what those kids had to go through. It is interesting how through this "trip" the kids still managed to stay in cliques, confess their feelings for each other and try to be "normal". I do know with my luck if I were stuck on the BR island I would probably end up with the paper fan as my weapon!

I haven't seen BR2 yet, I think I might try to find it at Anime Expo this year. I have heard mixed reviews on it. When I see it I will let you know how it is! ^_^

[eleanor]

[color=firebrick] It's one of movies that's cool to watch once, but far from good enough to top your favorites list.

The idea? Wonderful. It's very original [although it's based on the manga] and an exciting genre to poke into, but it was done poorly. After you got to the part where all the students are released...it's not so good. The proclaiming of love is almost pointless after it happens for the millionth time, and it is ten thousand miles away from ever touching your heart or making you emotional in that sense. You never really get a feel for [spoiler]the rest of the class who dies[/spoiler] because you never establish a knowing relationship with them- all you know is their names and what they look like. The movie is really just [spoiler]pointless killing[/spoiler] that seems to go on forever to make violent watchers happy.

I thought it would be immensely better if the maximum of characters was about seven and you actually got to know all of them and see what happened to them.[/color]

[BlueYoshi]

[quote name='maladjusted][color=firebrick']I thought it would be immensely better if the maximum of characters was about seven and you actually got to know all of them and see what happened to them.[/color][/quote]

I agree with your statement, it would be nice to get to know each character more than the main three, but what they tell you about them is all you need to know, no more no less.

For example, you pretty much get the idea that the guy with glasses is the brainy kid, simply by the fact that he is always mumbling equations to himself, he doesn't do or say much either, but generally he wants off the island, just as everyone else does, whether they're getting off alone or with someone else.

It's great how almost every character has a love interest too, some part together, where others are driven to a bitter end. It makes it all the more disturbing, especially when the checklist ticks off those who have died.

[wrist cutter]

The movie was fun in a group atmosphere, but otherwise it probably would've been kind of dull. It's already been said - the movie's mostly just death after death after death, each in a new and "exciting" way. This formula's OK if you're playing Unreal Tournament 2004, but in a movie it just gets old.

I actually saw this movie in the original Japanese, without subtitles, so I didn't catch everything. But with Battle Royale, just how important is the dialogue anyway?

But, since I was with a group of people, the movie did prove a fun watch. Scenes like the one where the girl stabbed the guy right in the groin got a jump out of all of us. Perhaps the most interesting thing is that I watched the movie "Kikujirou no natsu" awhile after this, another movie starring Beat Takeshi, but in a very different role, heh.

[BlueYoshi]

I thought I'd just say that for those of you with access to British television broadcasts, Battle Royale will be aired tonight on Channel 4 at 11pm.

[Guest Naota]

I picked up the Battle Royale: Special Edition DVD off of the internet a while back. The thing that sparked my interust in this movie was the novel. I had found it at my local bookstore, and I had heard about the manga, so I bought it.

The movie didn't shock or stun me. I couldn't really understand why it didn't really effect me, with the exception of [spoiler]when Kitano was shot, then you realize he didn't even have a real gun.[/spoiler] That nearly made me (although it was embarassing) cry.

The blood and guts and gore, it didn't really get to me. Maybe it's the socieity I've grown up in, or I'm just a sick individual. I'd say it was a good movie overall, though.