Battle Royale (2000) Dir:  Kinji Fukasaku Cast:  Takeshi Kitano, Tatsuya Fujiwara, Aki Maeda, Taro Yamamoto, Masanobu Ando, Kou Shibaski Unrated, Approx:  114 minutes A Tartan DVD Release (Region 0)

"Could You Kill Your Best Friend?"

This Dark, Violent Social Allegory Isn't For All Tastes-But Still Shouldn't Be Missed!

Although Battle Royale is a very controversial title that remained a box office smash in Japan, I have a feeling its not going to make it to the United States anytime soon due to its violent content involving pre-teens and teenagers. However, it'd be a shame to miss this one since its one of the most disturbing and thought provoking films to come out in recent times. It certainly isn't for all tastes, but for those who like their films on the darker side should find plenty to appreciate here.

Set during the near future in Japan, nothing has been the same now that violence has nearly taken over society. A high school teacher (Takeshi Kitano) finds himself in a position where he has to take a class of 9th grade students out to a remote island where they are forced to participate in a grueling game that requires the kids to kill each other until one is left over to survive. They are all given one weapon/helpful item each and have collars attached around their necks to detect their position and explode if they try to take them off or escape. The premise to this film is fascinating and it hooks you in from start to finish. I was really impressed with the work from writer Kenta Fukasaku and director Kinji Fukasaku, who handle the gutsy material with some doses of morbid, satirical humor to go along with it. Some of the violence is a little over the top in places, yet the use of it manages to add a little more surrealistic touch to the situation. I also thought the idea of playing peaceful, classical music during the game gave the film a more disturbing flow to it.

The film's young characters learn that they're about to grow up very quickly.

Takeshi and the young cast are brilliant and seemingly natural in their roles. Since there's forty-plus students wearing the same clothing and some having similar hairstyles, I did have a bit of a tough time following all these different people in spots. The stories they do develop on them work quite well as we watch the various methods the teens try to become the winning survivor. The chemistry between Shuya (Tatsuya Fujiwara) and Noriko (Aki Maeda) seems truly genuine and heartfelt. I also really liked the character of Kawada (Taro Yamamoto), a returning contestant out for the latest game of Battle Royale.

This is an excellent film that deserves high respect for how brave Japan cinema is. You can't find it at nearby retail outlets, but there are DVD and VCD copies available at Poker Industries or you can check over to Ebay, where plenty of DVD, VCD and VHS copies are available for bidding.

Adam's Rating: * * * * 1/2  out of 5 Reviewed by Adam Eshack  01/23/02