Sci-fi opus from cult director Kinji Fukasaku which sees the Japanese Government launch an extreme counter measure against unruly teenagers who have the entire country living in fear. The Battle Royale Act, led by a former schoolteacher, dictates that one class of high school kids be chosen at random and taken to a deserted island where they will forced to kill each other off until only one remains - he/she being allowed to return home as the ultimate proof of how far the lawmakers are willing to go to curb the tide of juvenile disobedience.
BATTLE ROYALE's a movie I'm relieved I didn't let slip by unnoticed. It's not the sort of film I usually go for, either, but my love of other Asian gems like RINGU and THE EYE compelled me to see whatever else Far Eastern filmmakers had to offer and this came highly recommended from many sources.
It's essentially a tale of survival and focuses primarily on two close friends - Nanahara and Noriko - who initially refuse point blank to harm their classmates before coming to the horrifying realisation that they have little choice. It's interesting for a movie with such a high bodycount to spend time developing the characters but we do get to know all the main protagonists and the at-times heartbreaking choices they have to make in order to survive. Not all the children have the same feelings, though - some of the bullied and more unpopular kids relish the chance of being allowed to take their tormentors lives legally - and it's fun to see such drastic transformations in a few of the characters from virginal 16 year olds to cold blooded killers.
Violence can never be applauded - and if the British Government ever tried a similar thing I'd imagine there'd be a few complaints! - but director Kinji Fukasaku handles proceedings with a steady hand and resists the temptation to turn this into an excessive bloodbath. The atrocities of the battle are counted with some snappy one-liners and flashbacks to happier times.
Movies don't earn cult followings for no reason and BATTLE ROYALE certainly justifies its enormous worldwide following. It's refreshing, it's highly entertaining and I loved every minute. Highly recommended! ***** / *****
BATTLE ROYALE's a movie I'm relieved I didn't let slip by unnoticed. It's not the sort of film I usually go for, either, but my love of other Asian gems like RINGU and THE EYE compelled me to see whatever else Far Eastern filmmakers had to offer and this came highly recommended from many sources.
It's essentially a tale of survival and focuses primarily on two close friends - Nanahara and Noriko - who initially refuse point blank to harm their classmates before coming to the horrifying realisation that they have little choice. It's interesting for a movie with such a high bodycount to spend time developing the characters but we do get to know all the main protagonists and the at-times heartbreaking choices they have to make in order to survive. Not all the children have the same feelings, though - some of the bullied and more unpopular kids relish the chance of being allowed to take their tormentors lives legally - and it's fun to see such drastic transformations in a few of the characters from virginal 16 year olds to cold blooded killers.
Violence can never be applauded - and if the British Government ever tried a similar thing I'd imagine there'd be a few complaints! - but director Kinji Fukasaku handles proceedings with a steady hand and resists the temptation to turn this into an excessive bloodbath. The atrocities of the battle are counted with some snappy one-liners and flashbacks to happier times.
Movies don't earn cult followings for no reason and BATTLE ROYALE certainly justifies its enormous worldwide following. It's refreshing, it's highly entertaining and I loved every minute. Highly recommended! ***** / *****