Distributed by:

Universe

Region 3 DVD

Language: Japanese

Subtitle: English, Chinese

Runtime: 114 minutes

Genre: (Action/Thriller)

 

 

Due to the extreme teen violence, there's little chance that "Battle Royale" will ever be release in the United States. This is a crying shame because it's a really well-made movie. As of now, the DVD version of this film can only be found in Region 2 or 3 areas of the world. The only way to watch it is either with a Region 2 and/or 3 DVD player or with an All-Region DVD player. Fortunately I own one and thus, able to watch this incredible film.

The plot of the movie is quite simple, yet disturbing. The story goes like this: A set of Junior High School students are drugged, kidnapped and sent to a deserted island where they are forced to play a sick game in which the survivor has to kill everybody else in order to win.

"Battle Royale" is based on a novel by Koushun Takami which is a bestseller in Japan. I don't really know how faithful the movie is to the book, but I'm sure that the book can provide a better explanation on the motivation of the characters. I for one do not believe that a game like this can ever exist in the real world. Of course, I never read the book. The film is directed by Kinji Fukasaku who has done alot of work. But being a "newbie" to Japanese cult cinema, I am not familiar with any of them. Nor am I familiar with the actors/ actresses who starred in this film.

The movie is set in an alternate-future Japan where the country is in the verge of economic collapse. In response to this, students are boycotting the schools and committing atrocious acts on the adults. In the effort to control the students and to teach them a lesson at the same time, the government passed a Military Reform School Act (BR Act for short). Under this new Act, a random class of Junior High students are selected each year and sent to a remote island where they are forced to play "Battle Royale." The purpose of the game: to survive or die.

Each student is given a backpack containing food, bottled water, a compass, a map, and a surprise weapon. Since they do not want to give anyone an extra "edge," the weapons are randomly chosen. If you are lucky, you might have a gun or a knife. If not, then you're screwed. In addition, the contestants are forced to wear a permanent-affixed explosive necklace. If any of the players get out of line, the necklace will detonate. If anybody is caught near a 'danger zone' area, the necklace will detonate. If there is no single winner by the end of the game in three days, all the explosives will detonate and everybody will die!! You get the idea.

This is really a movie about the survival of the fittest. In some ways the movie is extremely violent and graphic, while in others it is humorous (black humor). All-in-all, it's a real great film. I highly recommend it!

 

Overall Score: A