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Where do I begin with this Masterpiece. This movie has the best opening sequence I have ever seen to date. Even the music that plays at the very beginning, a symphonic, operatic, horrific, melodious tone. Pefectly setting the mood for what the audience is about to experience. The movie is so good, it will keep you guessing, until the very end. Kinji Fukasaku, keeps the pace moving quickly, while the characters in the movie interacts, giving us just enough information about each one of them. Subtle, yet brilliant scriptwriting. Add to that a superb Cast. They really look like the kids they portray. Which is more painful when you see them killing each other, playing the game they are all forced to play. It basically sets a new standard in depicting violence in the movies. Fear, tension, betrayal, chaos, & and nail biting suspense. Not to mention loud screams, sighs of painful gestures, and someone saying "Dam, that must've hurt!"; while watching BATTLE ROYALE. As mentioned above, the movie opens with an operatic music as the TOEI pictures logo opens the movie. A prologue explains that by the dawn of the millenium, the nation collapsed. 85% of the population were out work, and at only 15% employment, the youths started boycotting shool, and causing widespread havoc. The adults fearing the youths, prompted to pass a reform act to set the youths straight, deliquent or otherwise. Hence, the new law is called "The Millenium Educational Reform Act"a.k.a "The B R act" a.k.a " Battle Royale." |
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One of the elements I enjoyed in viewing BR especially for the first time, is its use of classical music. I mean it's the exact irony of it all, that makes it all the more interesting, and enjoyable. Where else can you see two young students fighting to the death, while listening to Bach's Air for a G string. Fukasaku-san's mind is twisted, and beautiful. Another element is the use of comedy, and dark humor. As I watched Kitano-san, (played wonderfully with disturbing delight by Takeshi Kitano) as he tells these kids that their very life is threatened, Kitano-san explains it in such a vicious, and yet hilarious way. The whole movie pretty much takes place in a deserted island, where the unfortunate students where taken after their abduction. There isn't a whole lot of negative things to mention about BR's production standards except maybe for its plot holes, although I can mention a couple, (which I will refrain from mentioning) it will not hurt the premise of the storyline one bit. At least to me anwyay. In fact, you will be totally absorbed in the movie you won't even notice it. As you will pretty much be biting your nails among other things, for you will be totally enraptured by its cringingly painful death scenes of young Japanese 9th graders. |
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