When Paynecraft generously gave me permission to review this (it was originally going to be written by him) I nearly wet myself. It’s safe to say I’m a fanboy, not necessarily of Battle Royale so much as of “Beat” Takeshi Kitano, who plays the teacher in the film. Takeshi easily rivals the intensity of such American actors as Eastwood and DeNiro, and he does not disappoint here.

In the alternate reality of Battle Royale (the film is set in 2000, the year it was released theatrically), Japan is fighting back against its rebellious youth. Tired of a society in which a mounting lack of respect is shown, the government passes a law that, once a year, places the worst class of a randomly drawn high school on an island. The purpose? A game to the death: Each person is given a random weapon and, at the end of three days, only one person can be left alive.

The most disturbing thing here is that these kids are not demons; they’re typical emotional teenagers with real-world concerns and reactions. In the midst of all the carnage, which some people have trouble accepting as real, friends have crushes and playfully bicker, all the while knowing that the deadline (and that word is very appropriate) is fast approaching. How would you respond? Given no choice, could you kill your best friend?

Battle Royale is not horror in the classic sense; rather it is a suspense film that is, at times, quite horrifying because we can see how close to reality the behaviors exhibited by these characters actually are. Rather than flesh out whole characters, the film is content to parade a host of different personalities before us, most of whom you will recognize in the people around you, and that’s the scariest thing of all: you know people who would act like this. In fact, in all probability, you will recognize yourself onscreen.

The emotional impact of this film packs a wallop. There’s more, though. There’s an undertone of disgust to the entire piece, not aimed at the children, but at government. Additionally, it has some haunting visuals. The image of a previous winner of the game - smiling, holding her rag doll, and covered in blood - rates right up there with any of Kubrik’s signature shots (D’Onofrio in Full Metal Jacket or Nicholson in The Shining, for example). You won’t easily forget her.

Unfortunately, Battle Royale is not yet available in America (or Great Britain, I believe) except on an import disc. I picked up an exellent VCD set (legit, by the way) on eBay for $9 a couple of years ago, so you can get it on the cheap; it is worth the trouble.

Incidentally, fans of Quentin Tarentino’s Kill Bill, Volume One will recognize Chiaki Kuriyama, who played the assassin Gogo, complete with the same schoolgirl uniform she wears in Battle Royale. It’s safe to say Mr. Tarentino is a fanboy, too.

Pros:
Has the balls to show an amazingly disturbing concept. Also has characters reacting realistically …

Cons:
…in a fairly unrealistic setting. Additionally, the ending may throw some viewers.

Review Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Now this was a great fucking movie! The concept isn't completely original, but it was carried out to near perfection. A very brutal film, made even more brutal by the fact that these were boys and girls hacking and stabbing at each other. At one point a girl with a knife was fighting a boy with a crossbow or something (I forget exactly). The girl gets the upper hand, jumps on top of him and starts stabbing him in the balls. That's good stuff!

I enjoyed the real aspects of the movie also. From an emotional standpoint that is. Even not knowing the Japanese culture extensively, I appreciated the fact that some kids would rather kill themselves than be forced to kill their friends. It sounds bold, but I would wager realistic, especially at a younger age when such notions are underdeveloped and not thoroughly rationalized out.

There is a definite sense of despair in the movie. There is seemingly no way out of the situation, except kill everybody. Not good.

If you can find this movie go get it. I give it 9.5 out of 10 machine gun blood bath inducing spaghetti dinners. Anybody for seconds?

Incidentally I would give this movie 10 out of 10 if I can figure out what the hell was up with the ending. Once I find out, I reserve the right to move it up to a 10 if I am satisfied with what I read.

Our previous two pros nailed this review right on the bloody head!!! An outstanding story carried out with damn near perfect execution. Allow me if you will to get my two gripes out of the way. The single psychopath who volunteered for the Battle Royale was enjoying it just a little too much, and had a seemingly ENDLESS supply of ammo for his Uzi (which is known to eat ammo like crazy) can we say Rambo clip? While other poor kids who got firearms had a pretty limited supply (in most cases)

Second, I'm gonna have to side with Payne and say "What the hell was up with that ending?" It was fine, but Takeshi's little indecisiveness as to whether or not he was dead, was strange, maybe a little too much so.

Last, the Japanese to English translation was pretty bad at some points. Example:
Girl: You look really cool.
Guy: You’re the coolest girl in the world.
This is the exchange between the two as she's dying. How's that for cheese?

The "contest" was well thought out by the writers, they had great ideas to satisfy just about every "what if" you could think of. Shifting danger zones, "Deadlock" style collars that can detonate at a moments notice.... Lots of thought went into it.

The gore was copious and pretty well done, once it started, it never really stopped.

And Payne, having lived in Japan for 4 years I will state that yes, the suicidal teens are definitely a commentary on the culture, as a matter of fact the suicide rate is high amongst teens in Japan, especially when obesity, STD's, or unplanned teen pregnancy is involved, and almost every single instance I heard about when I was there, involved jumping off of buildings or bridges (often in groups as a suicide pact). Hope that clarifies the issue for you.

A great film, sent to me by the oh-so-gracious Taconator. Thanks again bro, mucho gusto!!!

If anyone sees this and wonders why the "teacher" looks familiar, that's because he's the host on Spike TV's "MXC" known in Japan as Takeshi's Castle. He's also been in countless Japanese horror/thriller/action movies, and has been in a few American flicks like Johnny Mnemonic (okay bad example)

9 out of 10 Decapitated heads with live grenades clenched in their teeth.

In future Tokyo, crime is rampant, unemployment is up, kids are acting like maniacs. They‘re boycotting school, attacking teachers and fellow students and just being little shits. In other words, it’s much like it is here in the United States. To respond to this, Japan passes a new law that takes ninth grade classes to a deserted island and forces them to fight to the death, with the survivor getting a second chance to be a good citizen. I know it seems crazy, but our response to the same situation was to cut funding for public schools and social programs, and try children as adults, so who‘s crazy?

Touted as “The most dangerous film ever made” and pretty much legendary amongst many film enthusiasts, this is truly one hell of a flick. Not really dangerous at all, though, just some yap someone thought was cool to say. It’s a little shocking in the US because here ninth graders commonly do shoot each other with machineguns, but in the civilized world it’s just a movie. It’s not really banned here, we actually have a Constitution that disallows that sort of thing. The company that owns it has refused to license it for North America, so a remake in unlikely. That’s probably not a bad thing, I’m not sure a PG version starring some faux-teens from the WB could be that much better.

This flick really kicks some ass, it’s the kind of thing you can rewatch when you’re not really watching at all. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying there’s no story, there’s quite a bit of story. Between reading the dialog and understanding who and what’s happening, there’s plenty to do. This isn’t a mindless action flick or a movie made to shock you. It’s a really great story done very well that just happens to be full of ass-kicking brutality and entertaining violence broken up by many slow-building tension-heavy scenes.

There are many characters and like the killings, the storyline really comes at you fast and furious about each, so to get the most out of Battle Royale you really need to pay attention to who’s who and what‘s happening to them.

The best thing about this film is the reactions of the students to their situation. Some can't bear it, some see it as as challenge. Some completely abandon any semblance of morality and others would rather die than turn on their friends. It never felt unrealistic, I could just about understand most of their behaviors, even when disagreeing.

The film’s satire is also biting, with the main theme being to young people: you can’t trust the older people who control things. Something the Americans of my generation apparently will never learn. There are many times when an understanding of Japanese culture will help you enjoy more fully some aspects of the story, but at the same time it’s all very entertaining even when it seems odd.

You don’t even have to think that over to really love this flick, though. People with no brains at all should enjoy it as much as the smart folks.

8 out of 10 hot little ninth graders making threats