Battle Royale: love it or hate it (Battle Royale (DVD))

Member Name: starshine35

Product:	Battle Royale (DVD)
Date:	29/07/09 (10 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Unique, imaginative and intelligent

Disadvantages: --

This film has such a twisted storyline and when i first heard what it was about i really didn't want to watch it but i'm so glad i did.

It's set in Japan whereby the government have passed act called Battle Royale to try and reform the troublesome youths of society. The kids are rebelling against adults and so the government take over. One class is picked and they are taken to a deserted island to play a game of Battle Royale. The rules are simple: they have three days to kill each other and there can only be one survivor. They are all given a bag with a map, food, water and a mystery weapon. Some weapons are very useful: guns, knifes etc. and some are completely useless: bin lids, loudspeakers etc.

It's really disturbing as we watch these teenagers kill each other in quite graphic ways but it is an incredibly well made film. As unrealistic as the idea of Battle Royale is it's proabably quite representative of society and we never really know how we'd act when put in these situations. Some choose not to take part and commit suicide, some try to find a way of the island, some just want to make the most of the 3 days, some want to protect others and some are all for the killing.

It's one of those films that you will either love or hate and it's very hard to not have an opinion about it. It's very original and unique and terrifying, disturbing and entertaining at the same time. It's scary, not in the same way as a horror film or a thriller, but because of what these kids are capable of. You have to appreciate the film because of what it's trying to say. It's not afraid to explore this idea and the political, moral and social issues in this film are very well expressed. This is worth checking out and when you get past the killings and start thinking about what the film is trying to portray you find that it is very intelligent and expressive.

Summary: A must see