Battle Royale (Director's Cut Collector's Edition)
by Kinji Fukasaku
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DVD details
Actor: Chiaki Kuriyama, Takeshi Kitano, Tatsuya FujiwaraDirector: Kinji Fukasaku
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Subtitled)
Format: AC-3, Color, Director's Cut, Dolby, Full Screen, Import, NTSC
Running Time: 122 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-06-15
Studio: Toei
DVD Reviews of Battle Royale (Director's Cut Collector's Edition)
DVD Review: 4 ½ Stars: What's More Troubling...The Violence Itself OR Just Who is Responsible For The Violence?!
Summary: 5 Stars
Kinji Fukasaki's "BATTLE ROYALE" (Batoru Rowaiaru, 2000) is the type of film whose reputation precedes it. Remade recently as "The Condemned" by the U.S., the film sparked such controversy and almost became banned from its native Japan. Its hype was far-reaching that when the movie reached America, it was even proclaimed the `movie of the decade'. I'm not sure whether I can agree with that claim but one thing's for sure; Japanese filmmakers had the guts to pull off a movie that depicts violence and murder done by teenagers. It is easy to dismiss "Battle Royale" as an action-packed, exploitive thriller but the movie is just so much more.
In a not-so different alternate future, Japan has experienced economic collapse with a massive unemployment rate. With no clear future, students begin to disrespect the education system, with an increase in riots and violence, student drop outs are also occurring at an alarming rate. To control the situation, the government enacts the "Battle Royale Act" that consists of the selection by secret lottery for one of the poorest performing class in the country and sending the students off to an island where they must fight each other to the death until only one is left standing. The students have 72 hours to complete the game or everyone dies from the explosive devices on their necks. They are supplied with random weapons, given special instructions to avoid danger zones and if they make trouble, the army will find them and kill them. Former friends are forced to kill or be killed; the students experience mistrust, fear, confusion and hatred, as chaos run unchecked...
"Battle Royale" serves as a cautionary tale for the teen generation. It does start off simply enough, with themes of morality and immorality are presented in the film's first act. There is a small hole but the film's plot holds strong as Fukasaki's adaptation of the novel generates suspense and gritty thrills as there are no dull moments in the film. It also lets its characters speak for themselves, characterization is partly done through the use of flashbacks. Kitano (played by Takashi Kitano) is the former teacher who has his own issues, the students all have different backgrounds, and they all have different reactions to their situation as well differing motivations. I liked the characters especially those of Mitsuko (played by Ayana Noguchi, her character shines in the Special version) and Noriko (Aki Maeda), they appear to be similar sides of the same coin although very different. Shuya Nanahara (Tatsuya Fujiwara, Death Note) is the one person who tries keep his moral beliefs, I may even go as far as his only motivation would be Noriko. Kawada (Taro Yamamoto) is the one student who was mostly an enigma throughout the film, his motivations remained unclear until the final act.
The film has a subtle but powerful social commentary as well but none as resounding as the message Fukasaki brings into exposition for teens. Fukasaki does keep the messages restrained to avoid the film from becoming ruined by a heavy-handed sentimentality. He brings the idea of "working together" which was formerly the foundation of Japanese society. Overtime, such teamwork collapses as the sheer pressure of survival proves too much as mistrust plants its ugly root. You see some students working as a team, but such "team-ups" are ultimately ruined by insecurity and fear. The film's final act resoundingly says that one has to trust each other wholeheartedly in order to achieve success. Fukasaki also encourages today's youth to "go for it" as if to say that the future is theirs for the taking; believe in yourself and don't be too hasty in trusting adults. There are also several other strong messages in the film as certain dark themes in the complexities of everyday life are touched on; jealousy, fear, meekness, dishonesty, love, shame and helplessness. The characters do have a way out of this situation and they must face the problem head-on; they must do the best they can to deal with it. The reactions are pretty reflective of their own sense of morality (or immorality).
The film has sparked strong controversy in America for its main premise of "kids killing kids" and while the violence is indeed brutal and uncompromising in this director's cut, it is not much as to how violent it is, (I've seen films more violent and brutal) but the film touches a nerve that makes it hard to see kids killing kids...it is not so much the act of killing but the who is doing the killing. It is pretty disturbing to see kids acting like this, some are scared that they commit suicide, some try to take advantage of others while others revel in the violence for fun. Having innocents put in a situation where they must kill people they know to survive is the troubling part of the film. I also think that Fukasaki cautions teenagers from mocking adults and to mind themselves otherwise, the repercussions of their actions may be just be too much.
The dramatic scenes aren't overwrought and I liked the even direction done by Fukasaki. He never allowed his social commentaries or his heavy themes and messages mess with the film's action and violence. Fukasaki appears to also be poking fun at the dramatic sequences that anyone can form an attachment to the film even by approaching it from an exploitive, unadulterated dark fun standpoint. The film is also suspenseful as you see the death toll rise up after each `update', one can easily feel dread wondering whether the characters they've rooted for would survive. (6-8 of them take center stage)
America easily proclaimed the film as brutal, violent and uncompromising but truth be told, the violence in "Battle Royale" isn't something new to the experienced movie watcher. The blood and guts (with mild gore) does help the film along, but it isn't all about the action but a matter of which Fukasaki delivers his message to Japanese society. Takeshi Kitano is awesome as usual and Masanobu Ando is creepy as the student who never speaks. Chiaki Kuriyama (plays Chigusa) caught Tarantino's eye that she played Go-go Yubari in "Kill Bill". (Did I fail to mention that this is among QT's favorite films?) "Battle Royale" is far more than an action film that glorifies blood and violence, some would say that it is simply an orgy of violent behavior while others who see the message will absolutely adore the film. It is one film that has the balls to portray violence that has real emotions going for it. One thing's for sure, it is one film that will never be forgotten and one that which Hollywood wishes it thought of the idea first--or had the guts to pull it off.
What was that some say that Asian directors can't keep up with the big-shots of Hollywood? Those who said that deserve a Spider Finger Jab in the face...
Highly Recommended! [4 ½ Stars]
Description of Battle Royale (Director's Cut Collector's Edition)
With the Japanese currently leading the way in thought-provoking cinematic violence, it's only fitting that Kinji Fukasaku's Battle Royale is being touted as a Clockwork Orange for the 21st century. Based on the novel by Koshun Takami, the film opens with a series of fleeting images of unruly Japanese schoolchildren, whose bad behavior provides a justification for the "punishments" that will ensue. Once the prequel has been dispensed with, the classmates are drugged and awaken on an island where they find they have been fitted with dog collars that monitor their every move. Instructed by their old teacher ("Beat" Takeshi) with the aid of an upbeat MTV-style video, they are told of their fate: after an impartial lottery they have been chosen to fight each other in a three-day, no-rules contest, the "Battle Royale." Their only chance of survival is through the death of all their classmates.Some pupils embrace their mission with zeal, while others simply give up or try to become peacemakers and revolutionaries. However, the ultimate drive for survival comes from the desire to protect the one you love. Battle Royale works on many different levels, highlighting the authorities' desperation to enforce law and order and the alienation caused by the generation gap. Whether you consider the film an important social commentary or simply watch it for the adrenaline-fueled violence, this is set to become cult viewing for the computer game generation and beyond. --Nikki Disney
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