Battle Royale

Rating:
Summary: We, who are about to die...
Review: "Battle Royale" is a superb film, subtle and sad and over-the-top and loud all at the same time. The story is often compared to "Lord of the Flies," but that is a bit of a misnomer. "Lord of the Flies" was about reverting to primitivism, whereas "Battle Royale" is a futuristic cautionary tale in the tune of "1984" and "Brave New World." The caution at work here is the threat of absolute bureaucracy, and the dangers of the loss of the value of life and respect in a rules-dominated society. This is a threat quite apparent in modern Japan.

The actors in "Battle Royale" all deliver excellent performances, including the amazing talent "Beat" Takeshi Kitano playing the appropriately named "Kitano." The film was not directed by Takeshi however, so it lacks his beautiful visual style. It does however feature one of his riveting paintings. There is a good range of responses from the various actors playing the students, from outright suicide, to panic, to a drive to win to a drive to help. Unfortunately, the character of Kazuo Kiriyama (the machine gun boy) is woefully underdeveloped, and instead of the fierce, cold genius of the book he is a somewhat characterless villain.

While a violent film, I wouldn't characterize "Battle Royale" as an action film per se. Anyone looking for a Hong Kong-style action film should realize that Japan and China are quite different countries with different approach to movies.. "Battle Royale" retains the quietude and patient pacing that is the hallmark of Japanese cinema, and which leaves some viewers bored, who are used to a quicker pacing. The bloodshed, while in great quantity, is also more cartoony in nature, which is also more typical of Japanese films, which does not favor a naturalistic approach.

I think some familiarity with problems in modern Japan (ie: school violence, overwhelming bureaucracy) gives some necessary perspective to this controversial movie, and helps frame it as more than exploitation. It is a political statement, with a subtle message underlying the overt violence. Along with this, knowledge of Japanese culture deepens the understandings of certain scenes, such as when Kitano performs the prescribed exercises, and the training video shown at the beginning. Without understanding, these scenes might come off as merely quaint or odd.

Rating:
Summary: We, who are about to die...
Review: "Battle Royale" is a superb film, subtle and sad and over-the-top and loud all at the same time. The story is often compared to "Lord of the Flies," but that is a bit of a misnomer. "Lord of the Flies" was about reverting to primitivism, whereas "Battle Royale" is a futuristic cautionary tale in the tune of "1984" and "Brave New World." The caution at work here is the threat of absolute bureaucracy, and the dangers of the loss of the value of life and respect in a rules-dominated society. This is a threat quite apparent in modern Japan.

The actors in "Battle Royale" all deliver excellent performances, including the amazing talent "Beat" Takeshi Kitano playing the appropriately named "Kitano." The film was not directed by Takeshi however, so it lacks his beautiful visual style. It does however feature one of his riveting paintings. There is a good range of responses from the various actors playing the students, from outright suicide, to panic, to a drive to win to a drive to help. Unfortunately, the character of Kazuo Kiriyama (the machine gun boy) is woefully underdeveloped, and instead of the fierce, cold genius of the book he is a somewhat characterless villain.

While a violent film, I wouldn't characterize "Battle Royale" as an action film per se. Anyone looking for a Hong Kong-style action film should realize that Japan and China are quite different countries with different approach to movies.. "Battle Royale" retains the quietude and patient pacing that is the hallmark of Japanese cinema, and which leaves some viewers bored, who are used to a quicker pacing. The bloodshed, while in great quantity, is also more cartoony in nature, which is also more typical of Japanese films, which does not favor a naturalistic approach.

I think some familiarity with problems in modern Japan (ie: school violence, overwhelming bureaucracy) gives some necessary perspective to this controversial movie, and helps frame it as more than exploitation. It is a political statement, with a subtle message underlying the overt violence. Along with this, knowledge of Japanese culture deepens the understandings of certain scenes, such as when Kitano performs the prescribed exercises, and the training video shown at the beginning. Without understanding, these scenes might come off as merely quaint or odd.

Rating:
Summary: Silly premise. Serious story.
Review: An interesting film. Once I was able to accept the outlandish premise as merely hypothetical (How much more far-fetched can you get?), I became hooked. A very chilling concept, which lends to one of the most intense movies I've ever seen. But whoever compares this film's director to John Woo, simply doesn't know John Woo. Woo is a stylish director, the master of fancy gunplay. Without him, there would be know Matrix, no Max Payne, nor a number of other Woo-inspired monuments to gunplay. (However, if no Matrix would mean no Matrix 2 or 3, then perhaps it would all be a worthy sacrifice.)

This film's director seems to have foregone style (that is if he had the ability, as not all directors are cut out to be action directors), but kept the insane gore for which Japanese cinema is known.

Of course, that might be a good thing. The violence is horrifying; hard to watch at times. Yet, had this film been filled with fast, slick, cool diving and shooting moves, it may have lost what hard-to-find credibility it boasts as it is. And when I say "hard-to-find," that is not to degrade the film's quality. Like I said, I had to accept the premise as purely hypothetical. Not many other viewers will show that same willingness.

Overall, I loved the movie. It's definitely worth the effort of seaking out.
(Oh, and if anyone complains about the movie lacking character development, show some consideration. There are 42 of them.)

Rating:
Summary: Breakfast Club the sequel
Review: Anyone remember the 'Breakfast Club?'
A tale about a bunch of high schoolers from different cliques thrown together for a saturday afternoon detention. You had the jock, the prom queen, the nerd/geek, the criminal burnout, and the kid that doesn't fit in anywhere. They all pretty much hate one another but not as much as they hate adults who, surprise, surprise, hate them right back! They have to write a 1000 word essay that justifies their existence. By the end of the movie they've all changed and grown somehow and see each other differently.
Well in 'Battle Royale' take the same premise and instead of having to write an essay the principal tells them that they have to kill each other...or die!!
This movie rocks! I mean it goes for throat and never let's go. I hope that this movie gets the American treatment (ala 'The Ring') because in the hands of the right director it could be an awesome movie! Unfortunately the Columbine tragedy (life is more tragic than fiction) will probably ensure that it never happens.

Rating:
Summary: Get the distribution rights sorted out please!
Review: Battle Royal remains unreleased in the West not because of its controversy but because of distribution problems that the production company Toei is mixed up with. There are several other Toei films that have not made it to the West either and this has something do with distribution sharing rights that are still problematic even in their own country. So the reason for the non-appearance of this great movie is not because it has been banned or refused-classification, but because of money and distribution rights.

The film is a violent spin on Lord of the Flies. It is knee-deep in right wing political philosophy that certainly will reverberate in a world still reeling from the effects of terrorist related violence.

Battle Royale is set in the future but seems closer to the present. Because of school truancy and violent assaults on teachers the Japanese government has passed the Battle Royale act which allows them to randomly select classes to be sent off to boot camp where there are given the task of murdering one another in a training island until one of them is left and allowed to go free. Each of the students is given a bag which contains supplies and a "type" of weapon. Detonators are attached around their necks should they try to escape or break the rules. There are also hot zones around the island that will automatically cause a head buster if they step into them.

This film is a complete satire on political institutions from start to finish and is certainly very graphic, but is still a lot of fun. The story and characters do develop even among all this last man standing mayhem and there are plenty of twists. In fact this is a memorable and fun film even though a little controversial but I think it is hard to take this film too seriously because it does a lot of comic interludes along way and even the death scenes are played out for laughs - although albeit very violently.

This is a slice of sci-fi classic that does have a few morals to boot. It is a great cinematic experience in a live-action Manga sort of way and if you can stomach the violence you will enjoy it immensely.

Unforgettable.

Rating:
Summary: Kill Bill meets Orwell's 1984 (or more like it)
Review: Battle Royale might be perceived as another Kill Bill, a "Survivor" mockery where it showcases a bunch of students battling each other to death in style. Well, quite the contrary (despite my misleading title). Chiaki Kuriyama (Gogo in Kill Bill) fans will be disappointed here since her role here was akin to being a cameo, although she excelled in her brief part. Not surprisingly after the success of Kill Bill, the name "Battle Royale" lingered among die-hard movie fans. Here, Kill Bill fans will realised that it's quite a different movie.

George Orwell speaks of the dangers of totalitarian governments and "political correctness" forced to the masses. The movie Equilibrium was such an example and although "Battle Royale" may seems like it has no relevence to Orwell's 1984, it still depicts the destruction of a group of people under hands of a regime hell bent on forcing their "political correctness". The first deaths already occured even before the commencement of Battle Royale when the character Nobu tried to rebel against Kitano sensei only to have to be blown off by the necklace stuck on his neck. And sensitive, discerning viewers will watch in horror as the students run around the battlefield like mices in lab experiments, killing each other in various de-humanizing ways, often against their whims. To add more surreal feeling to the movie, you should watch how the training video girl explains the rules of Battle Royale with such childish enthusiasm, and the way sensei Kitano announces the casualties of Battle Royale in casual, and at times cheeky manner.

Battle Royale, as I said, is a mockery to "Survivor", where we often see reality show contestants lie, cheat, and deceive their way into victory. In this movie, reality show is a minefield where fiddling around could mean instant death. One striking example is the lighthouse scene where a normal meal with comrades becomes a bloodbath because a girl ate a meal that was supposed to poison Nanahara. Distrust and emnity from beginning exploded into a grudge fury, and you don't need to guess what happens next.

Overall, it is one of the best movies I've ever watch, with all-around decent acting by cast, grippling, yet consistent narrative, and a great soundtrack. The use of classical music complimented with occational pop and rock is great, although my only gripe is the use of "Dies Irae" from Verdi's Requiem not dramatic enough.

P/S: For fans curious of Battle Royale II (a.k.a Requiem), it isn't the a Battle Royale at all, instead a Japanese Saving Private Ryan (with even an Omaha Beach re-depiction scene!) film where a bunch of students are forced to an island to annilate the terrorist leader Nanahara, a survivor of Battle Royale who waged war against all adults.

Rating:
Summary: blood ties
Review: Before actually watching this film I was expecting a pure bloodbath because I heard that this film was banned from being released in America. I was curiou because I thought that it was funny that a film would not be released in America because of i being violent. America being the home of the violent movie. After seeing the film I think that I know why the film was banned: the violence students show to each other and their teachers and the violence the teacher show towards their students.

However, I should note that the violence is quite cartoony, and the outlandishness of it can be quite humerous. Think of Kill Bill.

The story itself is quite simple: Japan's over a decade long recession has reached its apex, and something like 15% of the population is unemployed. Theft and violent crimes are on the rise, especially among school kids. To help clean up society the government has instituted the Battle Royale Bill which is used to select certain problem classes and have the students fight to the death. And my how do they fight.

Battle Royale is a fascinating film with great acting by Kitano Takeshi. The acting of the younger actors and actresses vary in skill level, but they still do a good job: especially Masanobu Ando and Chiaki Kuriyama.

Rating:
Summary: Teachers, Leave Them Kids Alone
Review: Certainly one of the most original and impressive movies of the last years, "Battle Royale" presents an intriguing premise and a superb execution. In a near future, the Japanese Government concludes that the downfall of the country is increasing due to the shallowness and free spirit of its youngsters. In order to make kids more motivated and capable, a special unit sends a high-school class to a desert island where the students will have to kill each other until only one survives. If they refuse to do that, they all will be killed within three days.

Yes, this is a far fetched concept, still it works surprinsigly well and manages to be a superb comment on the grim, hopeless and desperate atmosphere that surrounds modern societies. "Battle Royale" isn`t an easy movie to watch, since some parts are truly shocking, gut-wrenching and unexpected, yet it`s a strong and memorable cinematic experience, different from most of the disposable and formulaic flicks around. It expertly mixes drama, tension, horror, action, humour and gore, managing to be compelling and consistent throughout.

The character development is good enough, but it`s hard to develop so many characters (around 40) at once. It`s interesting to see how people react when they have to face such an extreme situation, acting under fear and suspition while dealing with their schoolmates. "Battle Royale" could easily have turned into a violent and empty sequence of action numbers with cool camera angles, but it wisely avoids that perspective and instead creates a gripping, multi-layered and complex narrative.

This is a superb effort that approaches key subjects like the first steps into adulthood, the conditions of love and friendship, trust and commitment, loneliness and individualism, future choices, totalitary systems and life in general. A gloomy, dark and ambiguous achievement, this Kinji Fukasaku effort delivers a surreal social commentary with some incredibly clever, poignant and creative ideas.

An unforgettable battle.

Rating:
Summary: Way better than most hollywood movies
Review: First off, let me say that this movie isn't for the overly squeamish. The person with an average stomach can watch this one without much of a problem though. This was an amazing movie. The plot is so simple, but it seems so new and fresh because nobody here in the US would ever have the nerve to make a movie like this. Even though the character devolopment isn't amazing, when certain people die you do feel kind of a "oh thats a bummer" feeling. Some parts do put you on the edge of your seat too (the Nobu part comes to mind). Also on a final note, If you think you've seen a crazy kid in a movie already, you haven't seen anything until you've seen Number 6: Kiriyama.

Rating:
Summary: "Survivor" as it Should Be ... a Very Disturbing Film!
Review: How do you combat growing juvenille delinquency in a society with a bleak future, double-digit unemployment, and a loss of belief in the traditional codes of honor? Why, you gather up a random class of 7th graders and send them off to a deserted island to survive...

... only the dangers present aren't akin to eating bugs or getting voted off the show. No, each student is equipped with a duffel bag with some sort of "weapon" and a explosive-filled collar set to go off after three days unless the mission is accomplished: the death of all but one of the students.

Petty differences and puppy loves are suddenly amplified into matters of life and death as students either bond together in the hopeless struggle to survive or turn predator and exercise their worst grudges on their former friends and classmates. The film is a kind of Lord of the Flies taken to logical extremes, and the carnage that ensues is enough to disturb even a hardened action and horror film fan like myself.

The film is worth a watch and definitely carries a message; the extreme violence in its own perverse way is a statement against killing. I enjoyed this film at a late-nite Japanese film festival, and I think many of you will like it as well if you give it a chance.