Based on the novel by Koushun Takami, Battle Royale describes the fight to the death within a group of classmates. Shiroiwa Junior High School's class 3-B, a group of 9th graders, has been chosen as the year's 'Program' participants, and they are made to kill each other on an island. Additional features in this 'experimental game' are collars around their neck to monitor their position and forbidden zones (in these areas, their collars will explode).
Shuya Nanahara ( Fujiwara) and Noriko Nakagawa (Maeda) have grouped together, and later on, joined by Shogo Kawada (Yamamoto). Some of their classmates decide to join in the game and start killing, whereas others have refused to fight until the end. Also, trust becomes a crucial factor as students who have grouped together get suspicious of each other.
** Acting **
There were some good acting in this film. I thought Yamamoto and Shibasaki were better than others. Fujiwara, being the lead role, didn't really impress me and was average. Chiaki Kuriyama (of Kill BIll fame) was good, but then her role was not major. Beat Takeshi was brilliant as usual, and really showed the craziness of his character as the Program's instructor.
** Direction **
The film deviate from the book quite a lot. As the film is only based on the book, I guess deviation is not a fault. But then, I thought changing the story made it less exciting. The most prominent change is the introduction of Takeshi and his family. I thought that was a bit strange and didn't really add to the story (except to give a link to the second movie, which was not written by Takami, the author of the novel). I didn't like the fact that I felt sympathy for Beat Takeshi (I didn't think it was appropriate, because he was supposed to be the evil Program instructor who made them fight each other in the first place). Overall, the changes made to the original storyline, I felt, were not necessary. But I guess deviation was inevitable as they have to change 615 pages of the book into one single movie.
** Opinion **
I am afraid that because I read the book then watched the film, I keep comparing them together. And I found the book to be far superior than the film. The film included lots of fight scenes and showed how the student number dwindled, but I thought the emotions within these fights and struggle were not expressed as well as in the book. The love for classmates was forced out, and many students took this time to express their love for each other. I thought this was very moving in the book - the hopelessness and yet perseverence - but these aspects were less well portrayed in the film. Nanahara, as the main character, seemed whimpy to me in the film and really didn't want to fight. However, in the book, although he was against fighting, he was perfectly happy with killing when he needs to. In the film, he just shouted and grimaced and cried a lot. The end song of the film by Dragonash is brilliant!
Overall, I would have thought this film was brilliant if I hadn't read the book. But having done it, I thought the film was not as expected. The storyline went through some unnecessary changes (e.g. like Kiriyama and Kawada being transfer students just for the game [in the book, they were just normal students], Kiriyama being bullied, Beat Takeshi and his daughter). But if you haven't read the book, this wouldn't have affected the entertaining value of the film.
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Beat Takeshi is the second-greatest actor in the world (after Bruce, naturally), and nobody will ever change my mind about his greatness. This is such a good film. I never knew it was based on a book though, I'll have to see if I can find a copy of that.
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...
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...
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 Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 3 to 4 weeks...
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 spiralling out of control. With school children boycotting their lessons and physically abusing the...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
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]")
Jul 26th, 2006
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