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This is one of my brothrs favourites, but I've never watched it myself.
They made a sequel quite recently, so keep an eye open
They made a sequel quite recently, so keep an eye open
Posted: 08:35 Aug 05 2003
Battle Royale
Only just got round to watching this on DVD.
For those unfamiliar with it, it is a Japanese movie in which a class of (I think) 43 schoolchildren are forcibly removed to a deserted island, on which they have 3 days to kill each other. Only the final survivor is allowed to escape alive, and in the event that more than one person is still alive at the end of the time-limit, everyone remaining will be killed.
In some respects it's an updated Lord Of The Flies, only much better.
The premise isn't to plausible, but the situtions that it throws up are well dealt with. A suitable variety of reactions to the situation, without falling into completely cardboard portrayals. It's also, very, very funny. Intentionally so - the comedy is perfectly judged both in scale and moment, in what could easily fall into a excuse for pointless and varied violence (though of course, there's plenty of that too). The soundtrack is primarily classical pieces - all of which are used effectively and add their own sense of drama and seriousness without being melodramatic.
I thought it was a wonderful movie. Has anyone else seen it, and what did you think?
For those unfamiliar with it, it is a Japanese movie in which a class of (I think) 43 schoolchildren are forcibly removed to a deserted island, on which they have 3 days to kill each other. Only the final survivor is allowed to escape alive, and in the event that more than one person is still alive at the end of the time-limit, everyone remaining will be killed.
In some respects it's an updated Lord Of The Flies, only much better.
The premise isn't to plausible, but the situtions that it throws up are well dealt with. A suitable variety of reactions to the situation, without falling into completely cardboard portrayals. It's also, very, very funny. Intentionally so - the comedy is perfectly judged both in scale and moment, in what could easily fall into a excuse for pointless and varied violence (though of course, there's plenty of that too). The soundtrack is primarily classical pieces - all of which are used effectively and add their own sense of drama and seriousness without being melodramatic.
I thought it was a wonderful movie. Has anyone else seen it, and what did you think?
5 Replies and 1628 Views in Total.
Posted: 08:35 Aug 05 2003 
I've been meaning to pick up a copy of this for a while...it got good reviews too.
(Edited by Ethan 05/08/2003 14:57)
(Edited by Ethan 05/08/2003 14:57)
Posted: 14:57 Aug 05 2003 
I saw this at the cinema a while back and loved it. Strangely I'm not that excited at the thought of a sequel though, dunno why...
Strangely I'm not that excited at the thought of a sequel though, dunno why...
Posted: 02:03 Aug 06 2003 
OK, me sad: I've seen this three (yes, three!) times, two of which were rentals (different people wanted me to rent it, who was I to complain?) and I must admit I love this movie! I'm a bit worried about the sequel, though. No hype whatsoever! 
Posted: 15:22 Aug 11 2003