Customer Reviews

Battle Royale I

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If you think you had it rough back in your high school days, or you think things are bad in the public school system now... you have to see this movie. *SPOILER ALERT* *SPOILER ALERT* Set in the near future in an economically depressed and overcrowded Japan, with juvenile deliquency run rampant, the government has come up with a solution similar to the "bread and circuses" one used in ancient Rome - give the public a distraction to keep their minds off their problems. The Romans used the gladitorial games. This particular Japanese government creates the "Battle Royale Act", setting forth a bizarre scenario where a particular high school class is chosen randomnly, unwittingly ambushed by knockout gas on a so-called "class trip", and transported to a remote island where thery're awakened and outfitted for the Battle Royale game - to be televised around the world. The object of the game is to survive. Each student is outfitted with some gear and a weapon, and are told that by the end of the allotted time period, only one will be left alive. No one can refuse, of attempt to leave the island because they're all outfitted with unremovable, explosive collars around their necks. The only other way off the island besides winning the game is suicide. This sets up the tension and suspense of the story - how will all these students deal with this sudden life or death struggle thrust upon them. Who will remain friends and who will become enemies? This superb, and extremely violent thriller, with thoughtfully placed moments of comic relief to cut the tension, makes for one of the most original and fascinating films I've seen in a long time. Personally, I would recommend this for only ages 18 and above.

The package came sooner than I expected,Brand new packaging, its a Christmas gift for my husband I am sure he will love it! thank you!

Japan of the future is in crisis. The BR program is one method of solving society's problems. A ninth-grade class is chosen and then dumped on an island. They are given supplies which include a random weapon (gun, axe, bow, etc.). They have an explosive collar locked around their necks which monitors them. The rules are simple. Kill everyone else and don't be in the restricted areas at the right time. If there is no winner in the time allotted, all will be killed.

We get to watch as various members of the class have to come to grips with being hunted and becoming a hunter. It is impossible to survive without killing your friends. Suddenly the class have their lives turned completely upside down as they come to realize that in a few days the best they can hope for is that one of them will survive. Each student deals with this in their own way.

Due to the opening scene (showing the smiling winner) and later comments about smiles, I expected a different ending (or at least one with a few more answers). Mostly this is just an excuse to see teenagers kill one another. I don't know how creating a teen who dislikes authority and is willing to kill will help Japan's problems but it doesn't seem that important to the film. I enjoyed most of the film, but the lackluster ending made me consider that I had wasted my time watching the film. Others may not feel that way. If you want to see Japanese teens doing each other in then this film is definitely for you but if you are looking for solid plotting then this one may disappoint.