Battle Royale (2000)
MEDIUM LEVEL VIOLENCE
| Director: | Kinji Fukasaki |
| Actors: | Takeshi Kitano, Yamamoto Taro, Fujiwara Tatsuya, Maeda Aki |
Could you kill your best friend?
At the dawn of the new millennium, Japan is in a state of near-collapse. Unemployment 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 their teachers, a beleagured and near-defeated government decides to introduce a radical new measure: the Battle Royale Act.
Overseen by a former teacher, Kitano ('Beat' Takeshi), and requiring that a randomly chosen school class be taken to a deserted island and forced to fight each other to the death, the Act dictates that only one pupil be allowed to survive the punishment. He or she will return, not as the victor, but as the ultimate proof of the lengths to which the government are prepared to go to curb the tide of juvenile disobediance. Likened to Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange by many critics, this explosive film shocked a nation with its violent portrayal of a society in ruins.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 110mins |
| Origin: | JAPAN |
| Aspect Ratio: | 1.33:1 Fullscreen |
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Member Reviews (24)
24 Member
Reviews
lgb
says
A "Hunger Games" style movie meant for adults. This film is definitely more violent than The Hunger Games and honestly that makes it a lot more powerful, the kids acting in this movie are brilliant and when they die it means a lot. It's shot amazingly; the imagery is shocking which it NEEDS to be to tell the story properly. Yeah it's over the top at points, but that works in this film. Its bloody which might put some off, but the blood isn't gratuitous in any way, you cannot tell this story without it. It's a powerful work of art and absolutely worthy of viewing for anyone who thought the Hunger Games just wasn't dark enough... and yes I know comparing this to The Hunger Games is cliché, it's also the only comparison that makes sense.
says
not too bad.
Johnson
says
The reviews below are all pretty accurate -- depends what sort of movies you like to watch. There's a typical disjointed awkwardness to the acting, which you see with most Japanese movies... but that doesn't detract from the interesting premise. Not a huge favourite of mine, but I'm glad I've seen it.
Em H
says
Fantastic film, if you love a bit of a gore-fest. Or were disappointed with the lack-of in Hunger Games. Crazy plot twists and back-stories, with super enjoyable characters - Masanobu Ando's psychotic school boy is a joy, as are most of the women characters. Definitely a go-to horror flick.
Craig H.
says
A Japanese "Hunger Games" great for those that love the genre
Josh
says
Amazing film. Very disturbing, extremely thrilling, melodramatic (but in an effective kind of way) and full of violence that feels real. Battle Royale is a very unique film that isn't praised by the general public quite as much as I would wish. Highly recommended to everyone except the kids and the squemish.
nerdfeliz
says
Obviously not for everyone, Battle Royale is a great movie! The story is gripping and interesting, the interaction between characters is fascinating at times, and the movie has some hilarious moments. One of my favourite scenes is the instructional video... classic Japanese/Quentin Tarantino humour!
veganup
says
B-grade movie, complete with gushing blood, from the get go. Mindless voilence and gore. It might be 'cult' but its definately no intellectual study, and barely worth the effort.
Regan
says
I usually don't enjoy Asian horror flicks, but this one was really entertaining and quite unique.
Jacky
says
Worth the long wait? Perhaps no - but was still decent enough to enjoy. Would love to see Quentin Tarantino make an English language version.
Krystie W.
says
I had alot of expectation about this one and it didn't dissapoint. Slow in some parts but overall a great tale of all things good and evil and somewhere in between. Atleast see it once!
Andy O.
says
Very violent (which is fine with me) but with a lot of pretentious kiddie-philosohpy and teen angst dialogue thrown in to try and give it importance and depth. Afraid not. But the armorers and FX guys with the blood bags and squibs really earned their money. Overall opinion: mixed feelings, especially about how young the kids were.
Josh L.
says
Teenage hyperbole brought into crashing visceral reality. Teenage cliques, hormones and paranoia all heighten the bleak scenario.
The overall setting, is not wonderfully clear, and it has a lot of typical exagerated sillyness, but in some parts quite brilliant.
Lloyd
says
An excellant movie from Japan set in the future where the youths are sent to an island and are given orders to kill each other. excellant acting by all, top class direction moves the film at a good pace for its running time and Brillant scenes of action and lots of splatter. The film is more action then horror but it does not stop it from being 1st class entertainment. I cant wait for the sequal
JW
says
Matt C.
says
Great movie. Really a must see for merely its cult status.
Job Napitupulu
says
I love the first sequel than the second one! Highly recommended! And Chiaki (from Kill Bill vol 1) is here :D
4th
says
A class of teenagers actually killing each other than wishing they could with all the stereotypical matchups & scenarios thrown in
Lindsay Jones
says
Dont bother wast of time
Gazza
says
Could have been better, but scores for its difference and using Beat in near-trademark detachment. If you are a fan of his, there are much better artistic vehicles he has lead in.
Keithy
says
Chris D
says
Superb study of attitudes to social decay and the conflicting attitudes and behaviours between adults and a misguided and disillusioned youth. Exceptionally violent, and made more disturbing by the ages of the characters, it portrays the loyalties and allegiances in place between a class of teenagers, and the extents to which they can be driven when the ultimate result is at stake.
Cinefile
says
Cinefile
says