Battle Royale (2000)
Directed By: Kinji Fukasaku
Where to get it: Anchor Bay
The Prologue
The year 2000 kicked off a new time. The 1900s were all gone and it was almost as if we were starting new. And low and behold the new 2000s got kicked off really well by a film that would be hands down one of the best films of the decade, Battle Royale. A film that has since been “borrowed” from more times than once. The Condemned used what was basically the same plot, just with adults and Steve Austin. And YES The Hunger Games uses a LOT of elements from Battle Royale. Of course an argument could be made that Battle Royale got it’s plot somewhat from The Running man. But just a little bit, it’s pretty unique for the most part. Now Anchor Bay has put out not just the single disc Blu-ray and DVD here but a kick ass new box set with all the Battle Royale films.
The Movie
Forty-two students, three days, one deserted Island: welcome to Battle Royale. A group of ninth-grade students from a Japanese high school have been forced by legislation to compete in a Battle Royale. The students are each given a bag with a randomly selected weapon and a few rations of food and water and sent off to kill each other in a no-holds-barred (with a few minor rules) game to the death, which means that the students have three days to kill each other until one survives–or they all die. The movie focuses on a few of the students and how they cope. Some decide to play the game like the psychotic Kiriyama or the sexual Mistuko, while others like the heroes of the movie–Shuya, Noriko, and Kawada–are trying to find a way to get off the Island without violence. However, as the numbers dwell down lower and lower on an hourly basis, is there any way for Shuya and his classmates to survive?
Just think about this for a moment. What would you do if you were back in class and that class was dropped off on an island and informed that you had to start killing each other or you’d all die? It’s a hell of a concept and it all makes for one hell of a movie. We are shown a class, a class filled with different types of young people, all tossed into a horrible situation with one way out. And it’s great to see what comes next when the class we are shown here are forced to kill or be killed. And unlike that new flick, The Hunger Games, no punches are held in the gore and violence here.
What I find cool about Battle Royale is how all the usual issues that come from being in school play a major factor into what happens in the film. Will people who are in relationships use that to help each other, or do we see the people in those relationships use that to selfishly help themselves and use emotion to their advantage. Does the kid someone use to pick on at school use that as motivation to help them mow down all their classmates? It’s compelling, well written, creative, and awesome stuff all around. And if you love violence and brutality, this is the movie for you.
When you take this film and the story into consideration, you have not only one of the best Asian films to be made, but one of the best films in general. If I was to find a fault at all with this thing it would be just CGI blood splatter that flies from time to time when people are getting killed. I dare say if it wasn’t for the random CGI that happens in the film, we’d have a perfect film on our hands. But what we do end up with is one of the best films on the market. And no matter if you get the DVD, Blu-ray, or a box set, you’ll be getting your money’s worth for sure.
The Conclusion
The transfer on this one is a bit tricky. Much of the film is filled with dull colors, but it’s never what I’d call a bad look. While it might not be as bright as some of you might like, the detail and the definition is here. And the film doesn’t look a bit bad, especially when compared to some of the old DVD releases. And for you Blu-ray fans, I’m sure you’ll dig some of the outside shots. Great movie, great release. You should own it.
The Rating (9.5/10)
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