Review of Battle Royale (2000) by Klink 1 — 26 May 2013

Trying to write about one of your favorite movies ever is like trying to mix together peanut butter and gravy, it's easy to do, but usually will have a pretty terrible outcome. This is the mindset I had when going into watching the movie Battle Royale with the knowledge that I'd have to write up a formal paper on it. That being said, the movie was still just as enjoyable a viewing experience the 5th time around, as it was the first time watching it.

The film is based off the Japanese novel, written by Koushun Takami, under the same name as the film. In the novel and film adaptation, the story revolves around an act passed by the Japanese government in an alternate future. This act, known as the BR Act, states that due to teenagers' losing respect for their elders, and adults' fears of the country going into turmoil, every year a class is randomly selected of teenagers that must fight each other to the death. The plot sounds similar to that of the one in The Hunger Games, especially when the story follows two main characters, a male student named Shuya Nanahara, and a female student, Noriko Nakagawa, who are both love interests, generally speaking. The first 10 minutes of the movie is spent building up some back story for the main characters, as well as setting up the premise for the audience in a way that feels like it fits well in the story, and not just being plot dropped for the audience. Through this it also introduces the audience to most of the students in a way that doesn't directly tell you much about them, but gives you enough hints at their personalities that you're able to connect with each of them. It isn't until after Nanahara leaves the building where they are being briefed, that things begin to take off, with many of the students either panicking, or taking measures into their own hands to try and survive the game. Eventually the two protagonists meet up with another boy named Shogo Kawada, who befriends them and plans on helping them escape the island with him, all the while trying to avoid fellow students who are either trying to survive for personal reasons, or are trying to make peace with others to find their own way off the island, or are just down right insane with power. Because of this the film really sets up great character dynamics between minor and major characters, making each person feel like their own individual, with hopes and goals for the future. This is where the movie really shines through, is with the character interactions.

As stated, the relationship between Nanahara and Nakagawa is a really sweet and caring relationship. The film never states outright that they have romantic feelings for each other, but just the way the dialogue is between them, you're able to tell that Nanahara wants to protect her to the best of his abilities. The way other students interact is also really well done, showing that they all knew each other in some way before being placed on the island. It makes you care for each of them which is something many films struggle to do, especially with such a large cast of 42 students, and the teacher, Kitano. The teacher actually becomes one of the saddest characters, in my opinion, in the whole movie, and even though he is considered the antagonist, you end up really sympathizing with him by the end of the film. I can't stress this enough how well the film makes you really want to see many, if not all of the characters make it out of the situation they are in, all of them except for Kiriyama, but he's a whole different story.

As I said, the writing in the film does a great job of making each character feel alive, and because of that it makes the character of Kiriyama all the more threatening. His character signed up for being in game just for the heck of it. You really get no back story to him, or even much character aside from insanity. The actor they got to play him is fantastic in the role, his character never says anything, but the way he uses his facial expressions, and the way he's able to really sway his body gives him a very insane look to him, almost zombie like, and it makes it all the more satisfying to see him get what's coming for him. Another character that really sells her act is Mitsuko, a female who has been a loner for most of her school career. The way she plays her character is really deceiving, able to be really overpowering when she wants to strike fear into people she holds a grudge against, or very weak, when needing to fool someone. Unlike Kiriyama though, Mitsuko actually has a back story that isn't revealed unless you watch the Director's Cut. It's really sad and really shows why she's willing to go the lengths she does in order to survive.

I do have to address the director's cut since that is the version I watched for this film analysis. The additions they made ranged from being really well done, to not really adding much to the film. None of the additions ever felt out of place though, nor did they ever take away from the quality of the film. Half the time they added to it, as I mentioned with the Mitsuko back story, while other times it was just there, like a basketball scene. I will say that showing the added scenes in their unedited form before the credits did take a little away from the powerful ending speech, plus it's scenes already placed in the movie making it feel like you're just watching something you've already seen. But aside from those minor gripes, when the scenes were actually implemented into the film, it worked pretty well.

All in all, Battle Royale really feels like a landmark of a film, up there with the likes of any of Quentin Tarantino's films, which makes sense seeing as he himself went out to actually praise the film saying "My favorite movie of the last 20 years... I wish I had made this movie." With really well done writing, well placed music, and very good cinematography, Battle Royale is a must see for any action movie fan, or anyone looking for a really well made movie.