One annoying characteristic you'll see in a lot of East Asian films is the actors' tendency to exaggerate every movement. You just don't simply fall limp and die from a bullet wound; you have to caterwaul like a chicken with its head lobbed off while screaming at the top of your lungs. That kind of performance is distracting, unrealistic and unnecessary, yet, Asian films utilize this trope time after time after time. There were plenty of examples of it on display in "Battle Royale" which, unfortunately, took its rating down for me a few notches.
I'd acquired this movie because I read the violence was so over the top in rivals other films such as "Ichi The Killer" or "Audition." It doesn't. Sure, there were a lot of kills but not necessarily any that would turn your stomach. Is this movie worth renting? Maybe, if staring at teenage Japanese kids is your thing, otherwise pass on it. The stringy, manipulative music in the background will irritate you anyway, so view at your own discretion.
I'd acquired this movie because I read the violence was so over the top in rivals other films such as "Ichi The Killer" or "Audition." It doesn't. Sure, there were a lot of kills but not necessarily any that would turn your stomach. Is this movie worth renting? Maybe, if staring at teenage Japanese kids is your thing, otherwise pass on it. The stringy, manipulative music in the background will irritate you anyway, so view at your own discretion.