BATTLE ROYALE

Country: Japan
Release Year: 2000
Genre: Action / Thriller
Language: Japanese
Running Time: 114 minutes

[Cast]
Takeshi Kitano
Tatsuya Fujiwara
Aki Maeda
Taro Yamamoto
Masanobu Ando
Kou Shibasaki
Chiaki Kuriyama
Takashi Tsukamoto

[Director]
Kinji Fukasaku




Where do I begin with this Masterpiece. This movie has the best opening sequence I have ever seen to date. Even the music that plays at the very beginning, a symphonic, operatic, horrific, melodious tone. Pefectly setting the mood for what the audience is about to experience.

The movie is so good, it will keep you guessing, until the very end. Kinji Fukasaku, keeps the pace moving quickly, while the characters in the movie interacts, giving us just enough information about each one of them. Subtle, yet brilliant scriptwriting. Add to that a superb Cast.

They really look like the kids they portray. Which is more painful when you see them killing each other, playing the game they are all forced to play.

It basically sets a new standard in depicting violence in the movies. Fear, tension, betrayal, chaos, & and nail biting suspense. Not to mention loud screams, sighs of painful gestures, and someone saying "Dam, that must've hurt!"; while watching BATTLE ROYALE. As mentioned above, the movie opens with an operatic music as the TOEI pictures logo opens the movie. A prologue explains that by the dawn of the millenium, the nation collapsed.

85% of the population were out work, and at only 15% employment, the youths started boycotting shool, and causing widespread havoc. The adults fearing the youths, prompted to pass a reform act to set the youths straight, deliquent or otherwise. Hence, the new law is called "The Millenium Educational Reform Act"a.k.a "The B R act" a.k.a " Battle Royale."

One of the elements I enjoyed in viewing BR especially for the first time, is its use of classical music. I mean it's the exact irony of it all, that makes it all the more interesting, and enjoyable. Where else can you see two young students fighting to the death, while listening to Bach's Air for a G string. Fukasaku-san's mind is twisted, and beautiful. Another element is the use of comedy, and dark humor.

As I watched Kitano-san, (played wonderfully with disturbing delight by Takeshi Kitano) as he tells these kids that their very life is threatened, Kitano-san explains it in such a vicious, and yet hilarious way. The whole movie pretty much takes place in a deserted island, where the unfortunate students where taken after their abduction.

There isn't a whole lot of negative things to mention about BR's production standards except maybe for its plot holes, although I can mention a couple, (which I will refrain from mentioning) it will not hurt the premise of the storyline one bit. At least to me anwyay. In fact, you will be totally absorbed in the movie you won't even notice it. As you will pretty much be biting your nails among other things, for you will be totally enraptured by its cringingly painful death scenes of young Japanese 9th graders.

But by no means you should watch this masterpiece just because of its controversial premise, that's just the icing on the cake. It should be watched for its energizing direction, its arresting formula, that will horrify, and entertain the viewer(s). The pace of the movie, moves at such a mathematical precision, that will keep you in awe, as you are captivated by the ordeals of the characters, and the horror they are experiencing.

You will find yourselves cheering for your favorite characters, as they endure obstacles after obstacles. And sadistic though it may sound, these are 9th graders we are watching after all as they kill each other off. You will be treated to one of the most spectacular, most talked about, and most contoversial film ever made, by any film company. Do yourself a favor, do not pass this one up. This is the movie for the ages. The most shocking, as it is disturbing.

In conclusion, BATTLE ROYALE is without a doubt a definitive cult classic in Japanese Cinema. Just as Miike's DEAD OR ALIVE messed with your senses on its opening credits, so does BATTLE ROYALE on its entire 114 minutes of running time. Fukasaku-san, has definitely made his mark in shock cinema, and BATTLE ROYALE is that mark.

I have never seen a movie that totally changed my whole perspective towards Japanese Filmmaking. It's because of these type of flicks is why I enjoy, and love Asian Cinema. No other film has ever made an indelible mark on my mind, and I have yet to see another movie that will do so. In short, no one should miss viewing the testament of Fukasaku-san's movie career. The Japanese movie masterpiece that is BATTLE ROYALE.