About me:Not here much but I'll occasionally post something if it deserves merit. Most of my reviews are adap...
Member since:06.05.2001
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Review rated by 21 Ciao members on average: helpful
*The following is printed in the University of Wollongong student magazine 'Tertangala', 'Indigenous' issue. Word limit was 250 words. Rate as you feel*
Directed by Kinji Fukasaku Written by Kenta Fukasaku Starring Tatsuya Fujiwara, Aki Maeda, Taro Yamamoto, Masanobu Ando, Kou Shibasaki, Chiaki Kuriyama, Kitano ‘Beat’ Takeshi 113 minutes
Japan, the dawn of a new millennium: un-employment has risen to fifteen percent with millions of people out of work. Violence in the school system is uncontrollable and rebellious teenagers stage mass boycotts. The government is stressed beyond its capabilities and retaliates in the most extreme way with Battle Royale. Each year a class is chosen at random and is pitted against its self on an abandoned island in a cruel and terrifying game of survival that lasts for three days. Only one student may survive.
Thus begins the one of the most violent, gruesome, and explicitly shocking movies in Australian theatres. Having been mostly raised on western cinema with very little Japanese influence, appreciating the context and culture from which this movie originates limits drawing a clear conclusion. Still, the issues and themes cross the cultural boundary: loyalty, betrayal, love, hate, hope, fear, revenge. Could you kill your best friend? ‘Yes’ is the answer here.
As an experience, it’s gut-wrenching: a system pushed to its limits resorting to an extreme measure of control; empathising with the 42 students, their situation and decisions; the initial apathy of fellow classmates; groups of friends torn apart. The story leads the way, only to have awful acting - especially the death scenes - destroy the tension. The violence is occasionally self-indulgent, yet death and destruction does portray the hopelessness of the situation. And watch out for the ending.
Also be prepared to read the subtitles, as it’s in Japanese. Connoisseurs of Japanese film and culture will probably love it (and seen it already, as it was initially released in Japan in 2000), where as the uninformed majority will be left feeling shocked and a little disappointed.
As you said, there was only allowed 250 words, but you took each word, and gave loadsa info for that 250 words! A brill op for what was allowed to be put in!! Take Care, Matt x x
As you said, there was only allowed 250 words, but you took each word, and gave loadsa info for that 250 words! A brill op for what was allowed to be put in!! Take Care, Matt x x
lence its only fitting that Kenta FukasakusBattle Royaleis being touted asA Clockwork Orangefor the 21st century. Based on the novel by Koshun Takami, the film opens with a s...
lence its only fitting that Kenta FukasakusBattle Royaleis being touted asA Clockwork Orangefor the 21st century. Based on the novel by Koshun Takami, the film opens with a s...
employment is at an all-time high and violence amongst the nation's youth is spiralling out of control. With school children boycotting their lessons and physically abusing the...
![Battle Royale [DVD] [2001]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78522790.jpg)
by (67%):
20.07.2006 03:51
Good review(-: ...........................................Darko
19.04.2003 19:49
As you said, there was only allowed 250 words, but you took each word, and gave loadsa info for that 250 words! A brill op for what was allowed to be put in!! Take Care, Matt x x
19.04.2003 19:48
As you said, there was only allowed 250 words, but you took each word, and gave loadsa info for that 250 words! A brill op for what was allowed to be put in!! Take Care, Matt x x