Masterpiece Cinema - Battle Royale

Hi, everyone. I want to relate a short story to you before we get started this week it's such a short story, in fact, I think its officially a piece of micro fiction. Anyway - - -

I was in the video store last week, and as I was searching for something to watch, I came across a little Spanish movie by the name of "Abre Los Ojos." If you recall, this is the film that "Vanilla Sky" was based on, and I said wasnt available here in Australia. It has, in fact, been out for a very long time they brought it out at the same time as "Vanilla Sky," in fact, no doubt to cash in on the association. I'd been overlooking it this whole time because of its extremely unremarkable front cover I mean, Penelope Cruz walking around with her arms folded? Could we be a little more creative, maybe?

I didn't end up renting it that night, but I will, and when I do I'll tell you guys what I thought of it and how it compares to its American counterpart.

And that's my story. Boring, huh? Anyway, onto this weeks film:

Battle Royale (or Batoru Rowaiaru in the original Japanese)

Starring Tatsuya Fujiwara, Aki Maeda, Taro Yamamoto.
Written by Kenta Fukasaku (Based on the novel by Koshun Takami)
Directed by Kinji Fukasaku
Genre: Drama / Action / Sci-Fi / Martial Arts / Harrowing Bloodfest
Released: 2000
Running time: 114 min / 122 min (Directors cut)
Rated: Unreleased in America (as far as I know. But then I have a tendency to be wrong about these things, apparently) everywhere else its the highest rating you can get for a whole slew of violence.

IMDb link: http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0266308/

In the future, Japan has fallen into a state of chaos. To combat the growing wave of teenage violence and truancy, the government passes a law named the "Battle Royale Act." Each year, a grade nine class is selected at random, drugged and abducted. They are then taken to a secret island, where they are told that they have three days to kill each other if more than one of them is left standing, they all die. Each of them is given a weapon before they are all sent out into the wild to hunt each other down.

Just reading that summary lets you know whether or not you want to see this movie, doesn't it? It sounded like an intriguing idea to me, one that held a lot of promise, but that could be completely mangled if handled in the wrong way.

But no such mangling takes place in "Battle Royale." Beside the odd moment here and there when one more take could have really nailed the scene, everything is portrayed so extraordinarily well that you really buy into the premise. The cast all kids, save for their militaristic tormentors are astoundingly good. They all act with varied reactions, but all of them are believable. Some are terrified, some are sickened, some take to the situation with disturbing ease.

The thing that really piqued my interest in this film, however, is the influence it seemed to have on Quentin Tarantino and his latest film "Kill Bill" ("Volume II," which is being released at the end of this month, and, despite it being a touch too well known to really qualify for this column, I may be covering both parts sometime in the future). It was in this film that he came across young actress Chiaki Kuriyama, whom he cast in "Kill Bill" as the scene-stealing Go-Go Yubari. Being on a bit of a "Kill Bill" kick lately, I knew I had to see this movie.

It is, of course, quite violent. The thing is, though, the violence isnt worse than any youd find in a Rambo movie. What makes it so startling is seeing it not only happening to kids, but kids who are all still dressed in their school uniforms. The fact that youre made to care for all these characters before you start watching them pick each other off also adds to the heavy impact of the violence. Contrary to popular belief, its not banned in the United States due to its level of gore.

The real reason has something to do with the distributor, which I wont pretend to understand. Im sure if youre living in America and are determined enough to see it, youll be able to find a copy someplace. Just dont ask me where. I have no clue.

Do I recommend it? Yes. Do I recommend it for everyone? Hell, no. Like I said, you'll already know if you want to see it just by reading the summary. If it sounds like something youd be into, check it out and make sure to tell me what you think.

Next week: No idea! Im sure I'll rustle up something

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