Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

ound it entertaining in a distracting, voyeuristic sort of way, I thought it was let down by the lack of real explanation as to how the BR Act works as punishment, clumsy pacing and the fact that the majority of the students found the transition from incredulity at the position they found themselves in to slaughtering their classmates posed little problem.
Also, I understood this film was trumpeted as some sort of social commentary, which I didn't really get from watching it.
So, have I missed something, or is all the dystopian future stuff just an excuse for an hour-and-a-half or so of pretty brutal violence?

― David S, Monday, 16 June 2003 20:01 (twenty-two years ago)

I need to watch it again, but I think the idea is similar to that set forth in other films, like 'Heathers' - anybody is capable of crossing over into a murderous state of mind given the proper circumstance.

It might not be a classic, but it was a lot of fun, and I've been thinking about it pretty steadily since seeing it for the first time. Certainly not a Dud. I didn't notice any problem with the pacing. If anything I think the BR Act was kind of a pointless premise - just put the damn kids on the island and have them fight it out, no explanation required (especially one as hackneyed as the BR Act).

But maybe I'm missing something. I couldn't figure out "Beat" Takeshi's character at all (then again I can never figure out his characters in any movie) and the significance of Shuya's daddy issues was lost on me as well.

Taro Yamamoto as Kawada was easily my favorite. Are we gonna put spoilers here or what?

― Millar (Millar), Monday, 16 June 2003 20:14 (twenty-two years ago)

oh and by the way

SEQUEL

― Millar (Millar), Monday, 16 June 2003 20:17 (twenty-two years ago)

My quibble with the pacing was at the start... I just thought the whole thing devolved into violence too quickly. No transition...maybe that was the point, but it felt like the director was sort of shoving the characters' and scenarios' set up aside, treating it like an inconvenience, getting in the way of all the bloodletting.

― David S, Monday, 16 June 2003 21:10 (twenty-two years ago)

I felt the pacing at the beginning was spot-on, actually, I thought you were talking about the later stages of the film, like the scenes in the lighthouse and back inside the school.

The speed with which everything is executed at the exposition, I felt, was to give the viewer the same disoriented and panicked feeling of the students. From the introduction of Beat's character to the moment they started handing out the equipment bags I was nervous almost to the point of nausea. I didn't get comfortable again until after the first couple of deaths outside, after which I fell into a kind of pessimistic rhythm.

― Millar (Millar), Monday, 16 June 2003 21:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, I can see what you mean, I think the intended effect was just lost on me because of the trailer I'd seen prior to watching it that showed the teacher killing the first girl - sort of ruined that first scene, when viewed in that context it just seems rushed.

― David S, Monday, 16 June 2003 21:44 (twenty-two years ago)

I think I was too surprised by the film on first viewing to be capable of any reasoned critical analysis. I'd need to watch it a few more times.

― Matt (Matt), Monday, 16 June 2003 21:49 (twenty-two years ago)

David - there's a good thread here : Battle Royale

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 17 June 2003 07:04 (twenty-two years ago)

I thought it was lame. (comparing it for exampleto Odishon)

― Jan Geerinck (jahsonic), Tuesday, 17 June 2003 07:28 (twenty-two years ago)

one month passes...

saw it first time last night. still reeling.
totally different to the film i thought it was going to be -
wasn't it marketed as like a kind of rollerball for the 21st century ?
anyway it wasn't that thank gosh.
pow ! straight into my best films ever list.

but here's the thing (spoiler) didn't the start show winning ?
what was that about when the guy with the bandana 'won' effectively ?

have i misunderstood here ?

also if the previous year's had been on the news wouldn't the kids
know what the b.r.a. was ?

― piscesboy, Thursday, 31 July 2003 11:53 (twenty-two years ago)

The beginning shows the previous years winner in all her bloodgrin gory glory.

They'd've sure known what the BR bill was, thats why they were gassed in the tunnel.

― Lynskey (Lynskey), Thursday, 31 July 2003 12:00 (twenty-two years ago)

but it isn't the previous year's winner is it ?
how many years do we imagine it had been on before ?

who's seen the original version, as i saw the 'special' one which has
backstory about matsuko, flashbacks, extra gore etc.

have become totally obssesed with this film !
i really want a poster, i might even make it my first DVD despite
not having a player.

― piscesboy, Thursday, 31 July 2003 14:08 (twenty-two years ago)

I have the DVD director's cut but I haven't watched it yet.

― Mary (Mary), Friday, 1 August 2003 01:35 (twenty-two years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.

Battle Royale - C or D? [Spoilers]

SEQUEL