Not here much but I'll occasionally post something if it deserves merit. Most of my reviews are adap...
Not here much but I'll occasionally post something if it deserves merit. Most of my reviews are adapted from my University mag and are short by ciao standards (250 words). While I firmly believe in quality over quantity a lazy sod is still a lazy sod.
Member since:06.05.2001
Reviews:88
Members who trust:18
*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.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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Good review(-: ...........................................Darko
Mattroberts 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
Mattroberts 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
With the Japanese currently leading the way in thought-provoking cinematic violence its ... more
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...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
With the Japanese currently leading the way in thought-provoking cinematic violence its ... more
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...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
At the dawn of the new millennium, Japan is in a state of near-collapse. Unemployment is ... more
at an all-time high, and violence amongst the nation's youth is spiraling out of control. With school children boycotting their lessons and physically abusing thei...
Advantages: Original storyline, emotionally involving, relevant to today's fears of escalating juvenile crime Disadvantages: A couple of unclear plot quibbles
blinderben 22.11.2002 (22.11.2002)
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Review of Battle Royale (DVD)
![Battle Royale [DVD] [2001]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78522790.jpg "Battle Royale [DVD] [2001]")
Apr 19th, 2003
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