BATTLE ROYALE
Kinji Fukasaku (2000)
4.5 STARS
Based on Koushun Takami’s 1999 novel of the same name, Battle Royale expresses a distrust of the Japanese government, albeit a fictional one, and discusses the divide between generations and the general distrust of those in power.
The 42, of 6000 auditioned, teens chosen to play the ill-fated classmates provide excellent performances expressing the various reactions to being thrown in to a living nightmare. The film wastes no time in introducing the bloody violence that leads us through the non-linear story. This narrative style is effective in building like-able and believable characters. However, it is confusing at times and often results in identifying with a character once they have already been killed off.
While the concept of a dystopian death game was not conceived here, the influence of this film in particular has transcended cultures and generations alike. Quentin Tarantino has admitted to outright stealing elements of this film. Gaming has changed forever with the inclusion of ‘battle royale’ game-modes. And the inspiration provided for the best sellers, and blockbusters, The Hunger Games is palpable.
Battle Royale succeeds in combining gore and drama, while sprinkling in enough dark comedy to alleviate the massacre that it subjects its audience to. Well-constructed characters and poignant commentary on authoritarian governance lend a classy quality to this otherwise bloody fun watch.