battle royale

[finluithiel]

Just watched Battle Royale. By myself. It's like Lord of the Flies, only with machine guns (and a pot lid, ha). I'm sort of proud that I finished it without closing my eyes, though it did come close in one particular instance, and that scene wasn't even gory.

I first heard about the film way back in first year when Paul showed me the 'let's throw a knife at a student to get our point across!' scene during Zoology lab. While it shocked me, it wasn't even the scariest moment in the movie. What creeped me out the most is the fact that the characters are all fifteen year olds, with the exception of the two 'transfer' students. (One of which, Kawada, was played by Yamamoto Taro, who portrayed Harada Sanosuke in Shinsengumi!, a factoid that made me squee with glee.)

Battle Royale isn't for the faint of heart. If blood, flying random body parts, and/or screaming Japanese schoolgirls squick you, then it's definitely not for you. But if it doesn't, it's a film that makes you think. Can you really kill your best friend?

Watch the film to find out. ;p

ETA: Why did I not notice that the actor who played the lead boy in Battle Royale is the same one who played Okita in Shinsengumi!? Granted, the weird samurai topknot would render a lot of people unrecognizeable, but Okita didn't sport that haircut during the start of the series, so I should have been able to recognize him in Battle Royale...

Comments

[drachemaedchen.livejournal.com]

I've been meaning to see this for a few years...my punk friends love movies like this. Yesterday I read The Onion's AV Club article about it in which there were a couple of clips. Now I want to see it even more!

[baruchan.livejournal.com]

I also read that AV Club article a few days ago, which is why I bought myself a copy of the film in the first place. I was too scared to watch it before, but the way the writer described the film intrigued me so I got over my fears. :D

It's really worth watching, it made me wonder which of the characters I'd be if I were part of the film. xD

[stroberi-arisa.livejournal.com]

I love that movie! XD it's awesomeness especially the action XD haha im such a sucker for such films. yes, i shall fan girl with you about yamamoto-san XDnow watch battle royale 2. but i prefer the first movie better.

[baruchan.livejournal.com]

I did a little research and everyone says Battle Royale II is craptastic. D: I think I'll chance the novel instead. :D

[saekomizuku.livejournal.com]

Is one of my favorite movies. Not something you would expect from me, eh? XD

[baruchan.livejournal.com]

WHY DID I NOT KNOW THAT? :O

Yes, I'd never expect that this would count as one of your favorite films. I'm still in shock. ;p

[saekomizuku.livejournal.com]

my sister got me into it; she bought the dvd on our first trip to hong kong. that was... 2004-2005? XD

the second one isn't as good, but it's worth watching too. :)

[reasonandrhyme.livejournal.com]

I have the Battle Royale Book. :) It's exactly like the movie, except for some minor details here and there. And the Japanese names are slightly less daunting in their difficulty.