Battle Royale Directors Cut Reviews

• Life imitating Art

  
  By A1E94T4GW7O149 on 2004-05-14
  I have to admit that this movie moved me on many levels. After getting over the initial shock of what is, for very good reason, considered to be not just a violent film but also a very disturbing one in terms of subject - this movie I am convinced is destined to become a cult classic. As mentioned previously, Battle Royale is an unforgiving movie but like all great films there are pockets of resistance and liberation. This exceedingly disturbing and deeply saddening film about watching young kids killing each other out of a primal need to survive should disturb anyone with a shred of humanity left in them. What should be noted is that in this case of art imitating life it opens up a portal of consideration of how people may react in this type of situation and the inherent complexity contained therein.

  No matter what critics say about its violence Battle Royale is really a story about character. Based on the novel by Takami Koshun, Battle Royale is provocative on many. One way to see the movie is in terms of a not so distant future Japan (which is this case can stand in as a metaphor to other countries) where the government's trepidation about rampant juvenile delinquency and the a lost generation's blatant disregard for order and the rule of law has caused it seek more immediate and less creative ways to deal with the problem, the solution: the systematic annihilation of teenagers. In this case, selected groups of high school kids are deceived and carted of to an undisclosed location, given weapons and supplies and a mission - to kill each other. In an orgy of blood and gore the last person standing is allowed to go home. This, at least for me, brings up two very difficult questions: Is it a story about extermination or discipline? If it is, what possible benefit can be derived from this?

  Returning quickly to the issue of "character," it is interesting to see how director Kinji Fukasaku and writer Kenta Fukasuka bring Takami Koshun's novel to the screen. It is also interesting to see how director Fukasaku controls a herd of cats in a powerhouse cast of 40+ characters that includes Beat Takeshi's rendition of Kitano as well as the portrayal of Shuya (Tatsuya Fujiwara), Noriko (Aki Maeda), Shougo (Taro Yamamoto), Kazou (Masanobu Ando), Mitsuko (Kou Shibasaki) and Takako (by Kill Bill's Chiaki Kuriyama). I was intrigued to seeing how some of the characters reacted to stressful situations that in some places (unless you watch the film at least twice) are lost around the films central motif of extreme ruthlessness and violence.

  Needless to say that despite the films wicked cinematography and primitivistic tendencies - it being set in a tropical island and all - not to mention the almost mandatory erotic undertones, it is more than anything, a movie about a society on the verge of imploding. It is noted that Fukasaku's motivations for making the movie transcend politics and society. Dilemma: if your survival rested on you killing your best friends, would you do it? This is the circumstance in Battle Royale and it is a very provocative one. This brutal premise and what happens next is inevitably - a very cruel film. Fukasaku rendition has a Lord of the Fliesesque quality about it. I cannot stress how great a movie this is though. Overall, this is one of the most thought provoking, disturbing, and powerful films released. I was not surprised that this film has not been released in the US but just like the saga of "RINGU" - my guess is that inevitably this film will be hijacked as well - it is the Hollywood way.

  Another "layer" to be uncovered from this blood-soaked saga is how Fukasaku calls to question a Japanese society whose rage over youth delinquency (as mentioned previously) and has gone so far to imagine a `final solution.' If it was Fukasaku's intent, it got me thinking that if such a solution were put in place the results would be a fight to the death will be a traumatized, angry and extremely mentally agile mind would be released back on society - making the problem doubly worse - as if the society is cultivating violence. In Battle Royale Fukasaku is thought provoking again in that he allows for pockets of resistance and moments of female empowerment. The sub-plot of hacking in to the system and destroying the whole game and the scenes with Mitsuko (Kou Shibasaki) although not unique add a particular liberating quality to the film. However there still is lingering the disturbing theme of Battle Royale, dealing as it does with the corollary of a system of violence transferred from generation to generation thus perpetuating a cycle of violence. In the end, the hub of the Battle Royale films is that violence without doubt impacts children. Is this what we want as a future for them? A wild, sexy, and thought provoking film that begs to be watched more than one time to be fully appreciated.

  Miguel Llora
  
  

• battle royale the movie is excelent

  
  By A1U17I0JH6E9IT on 2006-08-25
  this movie has alot of qualities that i liked from the start. the way the students tried to find a way around the game, the social interactions of the students, and the question of could you kill your best friend. the movie goes smoothly from the start, with everyone on the bus, and then comes to on the island. i even have a soft spot for kitano, the cookie eating teacher. the cast did a superb job giving the book characters life and keeping to the plot. and the fact that it didnt save characters that you get to like made it sad, yet, gave the sense that the students really were trying to survive. the one thing i like to point out is the way the students' clicks fell apart after one or two days. some worked better as a team, while others got ripped apart at the seams.
  
  

• Sweet and sentimental

  
  By A20SQ8MMZL3G0V on 2006-08-22
  Even though the movie is billed as a cult flic supposedly full of horror and violence, it is in fact a very sweet tale of coming to age with a obligatory happy ending. Since it is a Japanese movie, it is full of turning people into sushi scenes obviously, but this is as expected.
  
  I would suggest to not to watch it with kids as some scenes could be misinterpreted; for example it is hard to explain that hacking someone with a icepick could be a positive experience for all parties involved.
  
  As expected, icing on a cake is Chiaki Kuriyama, the scene where she finishes a boy in a very deserving way after he makes a couple of lewd comments will bring much joy to hearts of feminists worlwide.
  
  Rated 5 out of 5, must have for all Japanese cinema aficionados.
  
  
  
  

• Great Movie, but Wilmington, NC is soo wrong...

  
  By A32GPXGFS4IY77 on 2003-08-23
  I must clarify what this movie is about, Wilmington, NC's review is completely misleading.

  A shocking tale set in Japan. The government has labeled the next generation (students) the reason to degredation in society. They have greated a BR (Battle Royale) program that places one school class on a deserted island.

  Class 3B was chosen (9th graders, highschoolers). Awaking on the island they find metal colars on their necks and their teacher explains that they have been chosen for this year's Battle Royale...

  The Rules: They are given weapons and are forced to kill each other. Only the last one surviving will be able to go home.
  Why comply to these rules? If there isnt a winner in 3 days, the colars on the students necks will explode, and no one goes home.

  Some students form alliances, others will allow nothing to keep them from the win...

  The producer meant the movie to be for kids the age of those used in the film (highschool) and older, however to his dissapointment the movie was rated R...
  
  

• Wonderful Movie

  
  By A1IYYB0WT0JQ07 on 2003-10-05
  Very good movie. I strongly reccomend this movie to anyone who enjoys strange movies, because you've never ever seen a movie like this.
  It's the future... Kids have stopped going to class, and are becoming pests. So the government has started a new program called the "BATTLE ROYALE SURVIVAL PROJECT." What happens is that one class of 9th graders a year is chosen by impartial lottery to go onto a deserted island. The kids then get 'voted off' the island. And by 'voted off' I mean they kill each other. Each kid gets a bag, inside is food, water, a map, and a random weapon. With this weapon, they are ordered to kill each other until one remains.
  This movie has everything. Violence, plot, character development (somewhat -- enough to satasfy me), and an amazing story. It'll keep you on the end of your seat, or couch, or whatever.

  Oh, and if you go out and see the new Tarantino movie, KILL BILL, the actress that plays Liu's bodyguard is one of the kids from Battle Royale.
  Buy this movie. I can't stress it enough.
  
  

• School Field Trips Were Never This Rough!
  By A2F5PAC9I5SCG6 on 2006-08-26
  Directed by the late Kinji Fukasaku, "Battle Royale" is a truly magnificent film, and is highly recommended. I first saw the film a few years ago at the urging of a friend and was not disappointed in the least. The film itself is based on the novel by Takami Koshun, which I have not yet had the chance to read. The films narrative deals with the escalating violence among the youth in Japan, and in particular, with the violence in schools. Is the violence that bad? Are things really going to hell in the classrooms? The Japanese authorities seem to think so. So how do the authorities set about disciplining the youth? Detention and expulsion? No, that won't work. With high unemployment, the youth will just wander the streets and cause mayhem. Something much more harsh and drastic must occur in order to capture the present youths attention.
  
  Moreover, the very fabric of the nation is at stake. How are the Japanese authorities going to set an example which will reverberate within their society? Well, for starters they pass a new law. So what! There are already laws on the books dealing with this kind of behavior---Right?. How will this new law change student behavior? Well, for starters, this is no ordinary law. This new law enacted by the government allows a quasi-military type militia to abduct students from selected schools and send them to an isolated island. But what ever for? Surely not a youth camp? There are enough of those already. No, this is something much more draconian and drastic.
  
  Further, things are about to get very extreme in this new youth controlled government. For starters, this militia has complete control over these students lives, and they will force the youth to play out a very twisted and cruel game. One like no other they have ever played. [With the exception of two ringers who volunteer for the game]. As these students are sent to an undisclosed site, they must face a horrifying reality: Schools out--welcome to Battle Royale. Director Fukasaku made the right decision to have actor Takeshi Kitano as the former school teacher who is the one in charge of this latest group of competitors. Who better for the role?. As the former school teacher of this new group chosen to compete in this years game of survival, he makes it a point early in the film to set the tone by letting the students know that this BATTLE ROYALE is no joke.
  
  And the point Takeshi Kitano makes with a couple of students in the beginning of the film is not lost on the other students. The students must kill each other in order to survive. Only when ONE of the students is left standing will the game come to an end. It is here where you see loyalties and friendships part ways, or strengthen. I like the way Kinji Fukasaku directed the film. This is not like "Lord of the Flies" as I read in one of the reviews. "Battle Royale" is a totally different take on a future 21st-century society of ADULTS, that have come to see unruly students as having to be dealt with severely in order to conform to a Japanese society that THEY feel is being threatened. This is a truly great film. Highly Recommended!
  
  
• Film of the year
  By A2QX63R4BHBRSP on 2002-03-15
  To say that the Japanese cinematic tradition is different from
  its Western counterpart would be the understatement of the year.
  Japanese cinema has never succumbed to the moralistic approach to
  moviemaking that permeates Hollywood. To further prove this
  point, enter "Battle Royale", surely the most controversial film
  in years. The story is as follows:

  At the dawn of a new millennium, Japanese society is out of hand.
  Unemployment rates are at an all-time high; kids are skipping
  school and physically assaulting their teachers. This has led to
  the government introducing a new measure to keep kids in line -
  the Battle Royale Act. Every year, a ninth-grade class is chosen
  at random and transported to a deserted island, where they are
  equipped with "Wedlock"-style necklaces that can be made to
  explode, a map, a compass, food and water and a weapon. Their
  goal is to survive for three days on the island - while killing
  off all of their classmates. If, at the end of day three, more
  than one person is alive, they are all killed.

  The hero of this movie is ninth-grader Shuya Nanahara, who swears
  that he will protect the girl he loves, Noriko, and somehow make
  sure they both survive. He is unwilling to kill but desperate not
  to die, an attitude not shared by all, as we are about to
  witness.

  As they are equipped with various weapons, ranging from pot lids
  to machine guns, we observe how different their attitudes turn
  out to be, from Nanahara who is devastated when he thinks he
  accidentally killed another boy, to the machine-gun wielding kid
  who kills everyone in his path without remorse.

  "Battle Royale" has been compared to Stanley Kubrick's "A
  Clockwork Orange". I would hesitate making that comparison,
  mostly because I'm not a huge fan of Kubrick's. While "A
  Clockwork Orange" is almost as disturbing in its violence as
  "Battle Royale", the latter is in my opinion the superior film.
  The sight of 15-year old kids dressed in school uniforms killing
  each other with crossbows, sickles, axes and machine-guns is much
  more disturbing than watching a bunch of freaks wearing false
  noses assaulting a helpless man. It is hard to put yourself in
  the position of Alex and his cronies in "A Clockwork Orange",
  simply because they are so strange. This is not the case with the
  kids in "Battle Royale".

  The absence of flashy camerawork, slow motion and other cinematic
  tricks transforms the camera from a machine to a nihilistic
  outside observer. This is a trademark in Japanese cinema, and has
  been used in films as varied in style and context as Takeshi
  Kitano's "Violent Cop" and Norifumi Suzuki's "Star of David:
  Beautiful Girl Hunter". Not to mention that making a movie like
  this in the days of Columbine requires something that virtually
  all American film-makers lack: guts. That no American distributor
  dared import "Battle Royale" just goes to show how conformist the
  once individualistic American society really has become.

  So is there nothing about this film that could be better? Well,
  yes. There are two things I feel should have been different.
  First of all the length of the film. At a mere 109 minutes, it is
  too short. I would have wanted another thirty minutes or so
  explaining the background, to get to know the kids better. We do
  get to know them through a few flashbacks, but I would have
  wanted more. Had this film started out as a typical American high-
  school film like "The Breakfast Club" or "American Pie" the
  violence would have been even more disturbing. Second of all,
  it's the violence itself. While I do not feel that violence is in
  itself important to a film, it does serve a purpose. My objection
  is not that there is too much violence, but that it is not
  graphic enough. When I see a kid getting shot I don't just want a
  squib going off (a squib is a small plastic bag or rubber balloon
  filled with fake blood, which is made to explode to give the
  impression of a gunshot wound), I want Dario Argento-style
  effects where you follow the bullet through the body, showing the
  effects of the gunshot in all their gory details. If that would
  be too flashy for this film, why not at least use the great
  Japanese tradition of special effects and make a film that makes
  your stomach turn?

  Nevertheless, "Battle Royale" is an experience unlike any other,
  and if there was any kind of justice in the world this is the
  film that would win the Academy Award for best foreign film. We
  all know that it won't. This is a movie that dares question
  modern society and what it is doing to people, and that is the
  reason why it will never win an Oscar. It is not conformist
  enough. That is why I love it.

  All I can say is: "Arigato, Kinji-san."
  
  

• Fantastic Film
  By A2ORMBJU6V5UV5 on 2006-08-05
  This is a great movie. Its is so disturbing not because a bunch of friends are forced to kill each other but because of the way everything is handled. Every violent act is done is a screwed up humorous way. I prefer this movie over the long winded book which you have to strain yourself to read the violence. Also the manga gets a little boring at times and is more of a porno than anything else. The movie has great acting and is never hard to understand. Its also not 'too artsy'. its perfect. It is way better than the second one. Every character is fully developed and most have back stories. Its hard to do that in any movie especially one where there are so many characters. There was one weird moment where the main girl character has a dream. That's really the only part I didn't understand. In all I would say that this film is a turn gold standard of Japanese films. Its one of my all time favorites.
  
  
• Disappointing Director's Cut
  By A1TCSJS7SCV9T6 on 2007-06-10
  Before you type out a retaliatory positive review- read on!
  
  I want to start off by saying I absolutely LOVE Battle Royale- It is most certainly on my list of favorite movies. HOWEVER- this 'Director's Cut' is total garbage.
  
  Sadly, as with the case for many 'Special Edition' DVDs, Battle Royale: Director's Cut adds unnecessary footage that does nothing to enhance the film. The end is extending by 8 minutes or so - and delves into a sort of epilogue and series of dream sequences.
  
  The Battle Royale wiki explains the changes here: (...)
  
  No attempt was made to clean up the subtitles: I can ignore misspellings and incorrect conjugations - however at one point the subtitles ran off the screen. The subtitles in the added scenes were far worse than that of the rest of the movie.
  
  I am not bashing Battle Royale; I want people to buy the regular version and forget that this Director's Cut is even an option.
  
  
• We, who are about to die...
  By A2B8GXSCB1R05T on 2004-04-15
  "Battle Royale" is a superb film, subtle and sad and over-the-top and loud all at the same time. The story is often compared to "Lord of the Flies," but that is a bit of a misnomer. "Lord of the Flies" was about reverting to primitivism, whereas "Battle Royale" is a futuristic cautionary tale in the tune of "1984" and "Brave New World." The caution at work here is the threat of absolute bureaucracy, and the dangers of the loss of the value of life and respect in a rules-dominated society. This is a threat quite apparent in modern Japan.

  The actors in "Battle Royale" all deliver excellent performances, including the amazing talent "Beat" Takeshi Kitano playing the appropriately named "Kitano." The film was not directed by Takeshi however, so it lacks his beautiful visual style. It does however feature one of his riveting paintings. There is a good range of responses from the various actors playing the students, from outright suicide, to panic, to a drive to win to a drive to help. Unfortunately, the character of Kazuo Kiriyama (the machine gun boy) is woefully underdeveloped, and instead of the fierce, cold genius of the book he is a somewhat characterless villain.

  While a violent film, I wouldn't characterize "Battle Royale" as an action film per se. Anyone looking for a Hong Kong-style action film should realize that Japan and China are quite different countries with different approach to movies.. "Battle Royale" retains the quietude and patient pacing that is the hallmark of Japanese cinema, and which leaves some viewers bored, who are used to a quicker pacing. The bloodshed, while in great quantity, is also more cartoony in nature, which is also more typical of Japanese films, which does not favor a naturalistic approach.

  I think some familiarity with problems in modern Japan (ie: school violence, overwhelming bureaucracy) gives some necessary perspective to this controversial movie, and helps frame it as more than exploitation. It is a political statement, with a subtle message underlying the overt violence. Along with this, knowledge of Japanese culture deepens the understandings of certain scenes, such as when Kitano performs the prescribed exercises, and the training video shown at the beginning. Without understanding, these scenes might come off as merely quaint or odd.
  
  

• finally, an accurate high school movie !
  By A3H8DAEA47INV9 on 2006-11-06
  forget about the social commentary or disturbing content. the real reason this movie is good is because it has cute japanese schoolgirls violently murdering each other. and at the end of the day, isnt that what every heterosexual male wants to see?
  
  
• About this DVD...
  By A3IW0055GW2PPT on 2006-11-15
  Definitely the best DVD for region one customers. Almost all of the special features are subbed in English, and the transfer and audio are top notch. Should have been spread out on 2 discs, but still an amazing buy for the price.
  
  Strongly recommended.
  
  
• What a remarkable movie
  By A3O60C5513YYD6 on 2004-02-02
  I'll start by saying that my appreciation for japanese cinema is limited. This is due to my own lack of patience, not acceptence of its intrinisic differences from American cinema. I like Kurosawa, have seen them all but I wouldn't likely watch them again. I like anime but wouldn't go out of my way to watch it (although the current Teen Titans cartoon is very anime style and I'm finding that I do like it). The japanese monster movies were good when I was a kid. But that's about it for my appreciation of japanese cinema. If you're a snob about it, well, sorry but it is my review.

  I bought Battle Royale on a self-dare...I challenged someone online to find me a movie that I would love that was shocking and relevent. He told me to get Battle Royale.

  Again...what a remarkable movie. Its accessible easily by western aesthetics and sensibilities, but at the same time, it is sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat good. If you are looking for an easy movie to watch, look further. This isn't easy but its very worthwhile and it is one I will not only revisit, but whose novel (on which the movie is based) has already been ordered.
  
  

• It's okay, but nothing like the book :(
  By A29QBJBZD6Z6OX on 2006-12-13
  I actually read the book before I saw this movie and I must say that I was terribly dissapointed.
  
  I loved the book because of the social commentary (defining and striving for individualism in a conforming, constrictive society) and politcal statements about a society trying to thrive under an opressive government. It was a story that could be applied any government in any country. It's definitely a book you learn from. It examines the essence of the human condition. The movie deleted that entire theme. It instead made up it's own theme which basically boils down to "adults vs. children." In the movie, the adults were actually out to destroy kids (they actually said this). This movie took away any poignancy that a story about middle school kids forced to kill each other could have.
  
  Now, moving away from thematic differences, there are also huge plot differences as well. It seems like almost everything was changed. From huge details such as pretty much the entire ending of the movie (there is a huge random scene at the end that sums up the movie and wasn't present in the book) and adding a strange relationship with Kitano (Sakamochi in the book) and Noriko (or maybe just a very, very strange obsession). Pretty much all the students were given different weapons and many die in very different ways. They are given less time to complete the game as well. In the book they have 3 days and in the movie they have a day (if I remember correctly).
  
  There also isn't as much character development, but that's to be expected when you make a movie out of a book with over 600 pages and 40+ characters, so I can't fault it for that, but in general when that happens, a story becomes more about the action and plot than an overall message. This movie fall victim to that.
  
  The movie isn't all bad, however. It is extremely entertaining and it will definitely be a conversation starter for friends. It's a good movie to watch with all the lights off and a giant bowl of popcorn with a handfull of friends late at night. There won't be any dissapointments (unless they've read the book already lol).
  
  Oh, and I can't speak to the special features on this version because I have a korean box set (so random, I know) that comes with BR1 and BR2 (and don't even get me started on that one. It's even worse) and a 3rd, special features, disc that I can't watch because it's in Japanese and has only Korean subtitles, two languages I cannot speak at all.
  
  So overall, if you've read the book you probably won't like this movie much at all, but if not, you'll most likely love it. It's action packed with a pretty good message (albeit a very different one from the book).
  
  I definitely suggest reading the book over watching the movie or, if you want to do both, watch the movie first.
  
  
• Something Americans should see
  By A2J83ZY3P5VNXU on 2002-07-04
  The decline of civilization is just one of the many themes in this movie. This movie also makes fun of its own society, kids, and adults. This movie had me had me on the edge of my seat, and I couldn't help but find myself feeling empathy for the kids that are forced to kill each other off. This movie is like a more sophisticated Lord of the Flies, only these kids were forced on this island by the adults who felt they needed to be taught a lesson. The movie focuses on many of the kids and how they fight to survive. I cannot recomment this film enough. I have a bootlegged copy that I've been lending out to people in the UW-Milwaukee Film department, and everyone is amazed by the beauty of this film.

  BTW: The only reason someone could think the dialougue is corny is because this film is in Japanese, and the translation is never as good as it's original language.
  
  

• Get the distribution rights sorted out please!
  By ACN9NSZ5QYN3A on 2004-01-09
  Battle Royal remains unreleased in the West not because of its controversy but because of distribution problems that the production company Toei is mixed up with. There are several other Toei films that have not made it to the West either and this has something do with distribution sharing rights that are still problematic even in their own country. So the reason for the non-appearance of this great movie is not because it has been banned or refused-classification, but because of money and distribution rights.

  The film is a violent spin on Lord of the Flies. It is knee-deep in right wing political philosophy that certainly will reverberate in a world still reeling from the effects of terrorist related violence.

  Battle Royale is set in the future but seems closer to the present. Because of school truancy and violent assaults on teachers the Japanese government has passed the Battle Royale act which allows them to randomly select classes to be sent off to boot camp where there are given the task of murdering one another in a training island until one of them is left and allowed to go free. Each of the students is given a bag which contains supplies and a "type" of weapon. Detonators are attached around their necks should they try to escape or break the rules. There are also hot zones around the island that will automatically cause a head buster if they step into them.

  This film is a complete satire on political institutions from start to finish and is certainly very graphic, but is still a lot of fun. The story and characters do develop even among all this last man standing mayhem and there are plenty of twists. In fact this is a memorable and fun film even though a little controversial but I think it is hard to take this film too seriously because it does a lot of comic interludes along way and even the death scenes are played out for laughs - although albeit very violently.

  This is a slice of sci-fi classic that does have a few morals to boot. It is a great cinematic experience in a live-action Manga sort of way and if you can stomach the violence you will enjoy it immensely.

  Unforgettable.
  
  

• greatest asian movie ever?
  By on 2003-08-01
  how to begin....
  this movie is one of the most brilliant ideas ever. The plot is basically that society has run amok (more specifically a communist type society)and the children have no ambition nor will to strive for greatness, in order to instill this in them each year one 9th grade class is selected to be sent to an island and with a bag of weapons, food and water given 3 days to kill everyone on the island, if there isnt a winner in 3 days they all die. The story is fast paced and interesting and there is even a body toll listed everytime someone dies. Be sure to get the UNRATED cut, as every cut version I have seen is lacking at least 20 minutes.
  
  
• It never rises to what it could've been...
  By A2TZKXU6Q0EDNP on 2004-04-22
  Most of the hype surrounding "Battle royale" are from viewers who thought that this film's only premise was to be like an ultra-violent and ultra-dumb movie that resembles some of the cheapest video games out there. Sad thing is, this notion is correct.
  I would never object to a film being over the top violent if there is a serious comment it's making while using the violence as an over-emphasis point or as a depiction of a particular reality. A good example would be "Natural Born Killers" by Oliver Stone.

  But Battle Royale is simply a ridiculous b-movie trying to front itself as a flick with serious social commentary.

  The attempt-at-a-plot is about a future society where the government seeing youngsters as a threat picks one school class per year and sends it to a remote island where they are condemned to exterminate each other till only one survives. This is supposed to set an example for other rebellious youth who might have the "wrong ideas".

  Now this premise had massive potential to turn into a very interesting dystopia commentary, very much in the lines of classic books like "1984" or "Brave new World". Alas, the scriptwriter of this cheapo-flick was no G.Orwell or A.Huxley.

  What we get instead is first an ultra-thin set-up of the plot. No explanations are given about what we're seeing and no comments about it either. The supposed plot is put together within the first 5 minutes because the director is obviously in a big hurry to get the massacre-thon under way.

  After that, we see a class of 40 students who've been picked, most armed to the teeth, blowing each other's heads off (along with other body parts as well) while uttering lines of enormous stupidity and while muttering dialogues about "who's in love with whom" (this you'll hear at least a dozen times from a dozen different characters) while the body-piles around them are increasing.

  There's not one single character in this film that says anything above the IQ of a microwave oven, not one single line worth remembering, not even a hint at anything of any intellectual value.

  It's inevitable of course, that this film has attained its cult status, especially among the generations grown up with mindless video games of the same frequency who will see this film as "provocative" only because of its level of violence.
  But even if it was to be taken on that level, that is, even if it was to be judged on sheer shock-value it would still fail.

  The directing is so cheap and the actors so much cheaper, that most of the time it comes across as a parody of something gone unbelievably wrong.

  When i read the storyline of the film in some magazine, i thought i was in for a serious film of independent and underground cinema. What i got was a massive assault on my brain cells. You've been warned.
  
  

• Excellent DVD edition of a great movie!
  By A1EF0OFNX15Z46 on 2006-07-04
  Many other people have already written some very informative reviews of this movie, so I won't discuss the actual film except to say that I have enjoyed it very, very much. Also, everybody I have made to watch Battle Royale is always blown away!
  
  What I really want to write about here are the details about this particular DVD edition. It is, indeed, a region-free DVD and should, therefore, be viewable with any DVD player. This edition was apparantly produced specifically for the US and other English-speaking nations as the information on the case cover is entirely in English. I suspect that it is possibly a bootleg but the quality is great! The transfer is very good and the subtitles are excellent! This disc contains a lot of interesting special features, most of which also contain good English subtitles.
  
  I previously purchased a 2-disc Korean version of this movie also containing English subtitles. For the most part, the subtitles here are the same as the Korean edition. However, the subtitles are more clearly presented in the this edition and are better timed! Also, there are a few occasions (not many, but they are there) in the Korean edition where the subtitles don't make a bit of sense. That problem has been corrected in this edition. The special features on this disc appear to be the same as those on the second disc of the Korean edition. The Korean disc, however, does not have subtitles for any of the special features.
  
  All in all, this Uncut Special Edition of Battle Royale (labelled Battle Royale Directors Cut on Amazon) appears to be about the best version available for American audiences! Unfortunately, this excellent film has never been distributed domestically in the US, and it probably never will. There has been some confusion about this. Many people are under the impression that Battle Royale has been banned in the US. This is simply not true. Battle Royale was a blockbuster in the Japanese theaters upon its original release in 2000. Therefore, Toei studios is demanding far more money for US distribution rights than any US distributor would ever be willing to pay.
  
  I would highly recommend this movie for fans of thought-provoking action movies! There are many versions available. So be careful when making your selection.
  
  
• Nonstop cruelty, with only skin-deep social statements.
  By A1XX5797TIZT5Q on 2002-07-05
  For all the cinematic virtuosity displayed in Battle Royale -- the flawless compositions, the dazzling array of colours -- the film is a hollow, sadistic orgy of violence with paper-thin characters, bad acting from most of the cast, and hardly any semblance of story.

  It's easy to see why this film got banned -- I'm not one to support censorship, but Battle Royale's claim towards satirical intent is foiled by director Kinji Fukasaku's unending bloodlust and complete lack of subtlety. Ostensibly, the setup wants to show the tensions between establishment fear and youthful rebellion, to show human beings forced to abandon their humanity -- a powerful concept. But the film projects none of it, because its characters mostly behave like caricatures; screaming, hysterical flesh dolls one minute, dead-eyed psychos the next. Most of the young actors deserve a kick in the behind for their shallow performances, especially leads Tatsuya Fujiwara and Aki Maeda, whose supposed "relationship" is completely unsympathetic by virtue of fake overemoting and a few lines of expository dialogue. In fact, the only two truly interesting characters in this mix are renegade Kawada (played with lazy charm by Taro Yamamoto) and ostracized lonewolf Mitsuko (Kou Shibasaki manages to convey pain through her violent vengefulness). Takeshi Kitano sleepwalks through his thin role, a shadow of the character he usually plays in his own films, with the iron-faced cruelty but none of the charm, humanity, and humour. He deserves better. All the other characters (and actors) are pawns, human puppets for director Fukasaku to slice, dice, shoot, mutliate, explode and humiliate as he sees fit. He delights in the garish reds spraying into the air and characters screaming at top volume in agony, but most of it is gratuitous -- the film doesn't go five minutes without some kind of graphically violent death, and the overall effect is just numbing. You may experience an initial shock at "Did I really see that?", but afterwards, it's easy to dismiss the images as just cheap shock tactics, because there isn't sufficient intellectual or emotional complexity to generate identification with the characters and therefore satirical revelations.

  I had hoped that Battle Royale would have something new to say about youth behaviour in extreme conditions. But alas, Lord of the Flies (the book and the first film) has already made all of the statements here, and for the exploration of the effects of violence on the human psyche, films such as RoboCop, The Deer Hunter and Kitano's directorial works are far richer, more resonant, and more enjoyable. Battle Royale is unbridled cinematic bloodlust with intent towards pure exploitation -- something the movies could do without.
  
  

• Great But Disturbing
  By A17RFKCYS69M3Y on 2003-10-23
  I have the uncut double DVD set of this movie. Its a great movie but its really too disturbing for me to watch again. Kind of hard to watch gorgeous Japanese girls being slaughtered by a sick game. If you are an aficionado of Japanese culture you will really enjoy this movie. This movie is really violent and bloody so beware. At the end of the movie you will be moved to tears. The 2nd DVD with all the special features doesn't have English subtitles so you'll need an external subtitle ripper. I'm sure this double DVD will probably be reissued because of the success of Kill Bill and the enormous popularity of actress Chiaki Kuriyama.
  
  
• blood ties
  By A2CRIEA7FXEFST on 2004-06-16
  Before actually watching this film I was expecting a pure bloodbath because I heard that this film was banned from being released in America. I was curiou because I thought that it was funny that a film would not be released in America because of i being violent. America being the home of the violent movie. After seeing the film I think that I know why the film was banned: the violence students show to each other and their teachers and the violence the teacher show towards their students.

  However, I should note that the violence is quite cartoony, and the outlandishness of it can be quite humerous. Think of Kill Bill.

  The story itself is quite simple: Japan's over a decade long recession has reached its apex, and something like 15% of the population is unemployed. Theft and violent crimes are on the rise, especially among school kids. To help clean up society the government has instituted the Battle Royale Bill which is used to select certain problem classes and have the students fight to the death. And my how do they fight.

  Battle Royale is a fascinating film with great acting by Kitano Takeshi. The acting of the younger actors and actresses vary in skill level, but they still do a good job: especially Masanobu Ando and Chiaki Kuriyama.
  
  

• EXCELLENT � a mind-blowing exposition of teenage angst
  By AFY07T19FSL9M on 2004-07-20
  This is, hands down, the BEST MOVIE COMING OUT OF JAPAN IN YEARS. As a reviewer who read the book first and loved it, I had high expectations for this movie and it did not let me down. Here's a quick plot summary: the Japanese government is in chaos. The adults are afraid the youth, who are apparently uncontrollable and boycott school. Therefore, the government institutes `Battle Royale', a program designed to rein in the youth. A ninth-grade class is randomly selected each year, sent to a deserted island, supplied with weapons, and forced to kill each other until there is one survivor. I would have thought it difficult for a movie to track all 42 kids. In the book, this is fine since the book is 600+ pages. But this also works very well in the movie since the director somehow gives almost all the characters substantial screen time and v. memorable scenes. He doesn't cut any character short. And even the short scenes have real poignancy. Therefore, we remember almost all the characters, what they did, and how they died.

  THE ACTING IS SUPERB. The kids in this movie are played by actors between 15-20 years old. With the exception of one or two, the actors were v. believable and conveyed all the teenage angst, suspicion, hatred, rage, love, goodness, and all the other goodies in the book. And even when they are doing terrible things to each other, they are still sympathetic characters since we understand they are deathly scared and are still young....that unique balance is crucial to the movie's success. Just to mention a few standouts: ERI ISHIKAWA (Yukie Utsumi) is the best actress, best-looking girl, and my favorite in this entire movie. She's perfect as the class representative who tries to calm everyone down but ends up feeling the same suspicion that is doing her classmates in. Her lighthouse scene is the most memorable scene in the film, and in my opinion, one of the best scenes in the history of cinema; just watch her face...aahhhh, that is perfect acting... TAKESHI "BEAT" KITANO (Kitano) is the perfect combination of menace and sympathy as the teacher who sends the kids to their deaths and reads out the names of the dead with phrases like, `Here is your list of goners! Only 3 dead. You're slacking off, I'm disappointed with you!' I love how emotions can flicker on and off his face; at one point, he can be scary and mean and terrible as hell; at other times, we feel sorry for him! TATSUYA FUJIWARA (Shuya Nanahara) and AKI MAEDA (Noriko Nakagawa) are fantastic as the couple we root for. Aki Maeda, especially, looks adorable in the movie and conveys innocence and purity so well. TARO YAMAMOTO (Shogo Kawada) is one of my fave characters in this movie and is the best bad-ass I've seen in movies for a while. He looks simultaneously tough and soft, which gives him an interesting complex. MASANOBU ANDO (Kazuo Kiriyama) and KOU SHIBASAKI (Mitsuko Souma) are deliciously wicked as the class's two crazy/wild ones, the two that are consciously going out to kill their classmates without remorse. And, on a vain note, SOUSUKE TAKAOKA, who plays the sweet and caring Hiroki Sugimura, is a major hottie.

  The DIALOGUE in this movie, like the book, is sometimes cringe-worthy (you know, like, `Damn! I survived, thanks to my excellent bulletproof vest!!'). However, because it is usually delivered perfectly and on target, I hardly noticed it. (It may also be because the actors were speaking Japanese and I was only reading subtitles because I can't understand Japanese.) Although I did like the book better than the movie (tells you how good the book was since I think the movie is FANTASTIC), there are some moments in the movie that outshine even the book because of the acting and the way the dialogue is delivered. For example, Yukie's LIGHTHOUSE SCENE is much better in the movie than it is in the book. I love the way their voices become delirious and the way their anger escalates (it's nearly palpable!).

  Also, the setting is well-done, too. There are a lot of neutral and cool colors like whites, grays, and cool blues that set the mood and provide a contrast for all the bright red blood. That reminds me: this movie has, like the book, been criticized as VIOLENT EXPLOITATION. That is understandable since the movie shows young classmates killing each other in messy, realistic ways, some willfully and some out of fear. The movie is v. bloody and v. violent and sometimes gratuitous. I normally don't like violence, I don't like blood and guts and gore flying everywhere. I really hate those `Halloween' and `Freddy' and `Texas Chainsaw Massacre' type movies because blood spills needlessly and in an excessive/stupid way. But `Battle Royale' is different. The violence will sometimes make your stomach turn, but you'll think, that's the only way it could have been done.

  And lastly, I have to praise the way CLASSICAL MUSIC is used in this movie. It's done in a v. artsy way that makes you think about the horrible things you've seen and make sense out of it, and I loved it. The use of Mozart and Giuseppe Verdi's `DIES IRAE (REQUIEM MASS)' in the opening sequence is especially incredible. It practically lets you know that you're in for a wild, thought-provoking, horrific, unique, and exciting ride. Also, MASAMICHI AMANO (the composer) did a great job on the original music in `Battle Royale.' I've listened to most of the soundtrack and think every one I've listened to has real poignancy and feeling. The way it is used in the film is even better; it brings even more meaning to what the kids are feeling and what they are doing.

  This is an INCREDIBLE movie - a mind-blowing exposition of the minds of teenagers and a fantastic exercise of style. I LOVED this movie. After watching it, you will be thinking about it for days; all the scenes of teenage angst will not leave your mind too easily. I give it my highest recommendation...go watch it right now!!
  
  

• A nightmare come true or an astonishing film? May be both.
  By A2EIEXQVCPXZNG on 2006-10-02
  Although the setting of the story is a little bit overstretched in terms of reality (a whole class of teenagers is punished to take the "Battle Royale" course of self-extermination in futuristic Japan) the result is a very powerful film which presents the feelings and behavior of ordinary youths put under extreme stress in a fascinating way. There is a profusion of blood and brutal violence in some scenes but the film is so terrific that fixes you in your seat. Expect a big surprise in the finale!
  
  
• Don't Believe the Hype...?
  By A1VRDWPTPK78T8 on 2006-10-20
  I'm not sure what all the fuss is surrounding this movie. Sure, it is violent, but the violence itself was nothing more than slightly-creative killing with computer-added blood splashes. Really. Lots of gunshots, stabbings, but considering that all the kids were wearing explosive neckbands, you'd think there'd be "heads-a'-poppin.'"
  
  ..but no.
  
  In fact, though the countdown of deaths throughout the movie was a nice touch (adding to the "game" feel), the directors didn't spend much time exaggerating death or making it outlandishly violent. Rather tame by other Japanese films' standards. So, if the violence isn't the pull of this movie, then what is?
  
  There is a small undertone of loyal friendship and personal justice interwoven to the story. While it's a bit far-fetched and poorly acted, it exists. Even the "bad guy" of the film comes off as being a little sentimental at the end. It doesn't work in the film, but it was possibly an attempt to make the movie more mature than it was coming off as.
  
  Purely a fantasy movie due to the content and story, I had hoped the violence and the atmosphere were also more creative. This could have been an ultra-violent bloodbath, but for some reason, the directors chose to keep the violence simple and try to make us sympathize with certain characters. Unless you've got a keen eye and a knack for memorizing Japanese names, you may find yourself confused as to who you're supposed to "root for" and who you are supposed to dislike. (These kids look a lot alike.)
  
  I give the film a solid three stars because it was interesting, but it was very, very weak in many parts. Violence was weak, story was underachieving and the ending was probably more sappy than it was poignant.
  
  Though it would have been a throw-away shockfest, I would have prefered it to be an all-out killing spree movie. At least that way, it would have made more sense.
  
  
  
  
• Very disturbing, yet strangely appealing...
  By AF9UXEPQKOJ3A on 2007-01-05
  The first few minutes into the film you are seriously going to wonder what ever compelled you to give this flick a chance, but after watching it from beggining to end, it becomes apparent what a great film this is. It is impossible for anyone to sit through it and not get anything out of it.
  
  It is a bit violent (VERY violent) but if you were able to sit through Kill Bill without glancing away from the screen, you can definately handle this film. I recommend it to anyone that has the stomach for it.
  
  
• One of the best
  By A2DZK8KFB6RM1Y on 2007-05-07
  One of my personal favortie movies. Easily a good watch, even if you don't normally like subtitles. This movie will keep you up at night, asking yourself "What if..."
  What if you were forced to kill your entire high school class? what if you watched your best friend die right in front of your face? what would you do? would you run, hide, and wait things out, or would you strategize, fight your friends, or fight the system.
  
  Tatsuya is a phenominal director, and has fantastically created this movie to seem very much like real life, much as was done in 28 Days Later.
  
  The movie is a fantastic display of human nature. everyone has a story. I also highly suggest that you read the book or the manga, as it is far more detailed.
  
  and as for those who have already read the book, you, unfortunately, will be disapointed to find that many parts of the book are summed over.
  However, Battle Royale is still a fantastic book, and a great dvd with plenty of exciting extras.
  
  highly suggested
  
  
• A cinematic breakthrough
  By A3I58CMLNA5UEX on 2002-05-08
  The sole reason I am adding to the list of quite a few adequate reviews is because I don't think that the true tone of this film has been touched on. Yes, many appreciate it for the large amount of violence, however this movie achieves a goal not many films come close to. It breaks through social barriers and creates a question that can't be ignored. I suggest that if you can't see this film due to it not being released in the U.S. read Lord Of The Flies. This is a beautiful piece of cinema if you are willing to experience the violence. Try Ebay if you must see this and live in the U.S.
  
  
• School shootings gone wrong
  By A8KWKXQDA9IN7 on 2003-12-03
  Really a brillant film, but not really a suprise being based on a spectacular novel. Okay, it's more violent then your typical film, it's also very entertaining and enlightening. But more then anything "Battle Royale" is a very serious social commentary. And it really has nothing to do with the fall of respect and order in social structure like some may think. The most important key in the film is survival and trust. These students are put in this extreme situation and each person reacts and adjust in a very different manner. The novel and the film are in fact a social commentary on how our instinct will overcome every emotion when backed into a far enough corner. Some of the scenes in the movie were just too perfect in depicting such a human trait. I was really impressed with some of the things that happened in the movie.

  Overall the acting is above average, nothing special, but then again good acting. The direction of the film was great along with the great adaption to script. I was a little disappointed with the ending, but it doesn't take away from the root of the film. Already this film is being duplicated into other films. Even Quentin Tarantino has stated that his feature "Kill Bill" has alot of influence from "Battle Royale." Surely to be classic in the coming years.

  At the time of this review, "Battle Royale" does not have a US studio version of the film on dvd. If you do buy this, be sure to get the double disc director's cut edition. Unless you can speak fluent japenese, seeing as how many "editions" out there have terrible subtitling or sometimes none at all.
  
  

• Teachers, Leave Them Kids Alone
  By A1ZS82R4RC0I2N on 2004-04-10
  Certainly one of the most original and impressive movies of the last years, "Battle Royale" presents an intriguing premise and a superb execution. In a near future, the Japanese Government concludes that the downfall of the country is increasing due to the shallowness and free spirit of its youngsters. In order to make kids more motivated and capable, a special unit sends a high-school class to a desert island where the students will have to kill each other until only one survives. If they refuse to do that, they all will be killed within three days.

  Yes, this is a far fetched concept, still it works surprinsigly well and manages to be a superb comment on the grim, hopeless and desperate atmosphere that surrounds modern societies. "Battle Royale" isn`t an easy movie to watch, since some parts are truly shocking, gut-wrenching and unexpected, yet it`s a strong and memorable cinematic experience, different from most of the disposable and formulaic flicks around. It expertly mixes drama, tension, horror, action, humour and gore, managing to be compelling and consistent throughout.

  The character development is good enough, but it`s hard to develop so many characters (around 40) at once. It`s interesting to see how people react when they have to face such an extreme situation, acting under fear and suspition while dealing with their schoolmates. "Battle Royale" could easily have turned into a violent and empty sequence of action numbers with cool camera angles, but it wisely avoids that perspective and instead creates a gripping, multi-layered and complex narrative.

  This is a superb effort that approaches key subjects like the first steps into adulthood, the conditions of love and friendship, trust and commitment, loneliness and individualism, future choices, totalitary systems and life in general. A gloomy, dark and ambiguous achievement, this Kinji Fukasaku effort delivers a surreal social commentary with some incredibly clever, poignant and creative ideas.

  An unforgettable battle.
  
  

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