For the 1st Week of The Random Reviewing, I present you with teh AMAZING....
BATTLE ROYALE!
Originally published as a novel by Koushun Takami, it became a cult hit when it was made into a movie by Kinji Fukasaku (Tarentino dedicated Kill Bill Volume I to this legendary film maker) in 2000. It was also made into a manga series in graphic novel format. The basic premise is that 42 junior high school students are placed on an island and forced to kill each other. The one remaining at the end is the winner. Each student is equipped with an electronic collar that moniters their life signs and explodes if activated by the central computer. They are given a day pack with food, water, compass, map, and a weapon. If a period of more than 24 hours goes by without a death, than all of the remaining students collars will be activated.The story is gruesome, with very graphic depictions of children killing each other with everything from a hatchet to a machine gun.
The Movie -
The acting is superb, Tatsuya Fujiwara who plays the main character Shuya Nanahara presents a wide array of emotional outbursts and Taro Yamamoto who plays the other male lead Shoga is perfect as the gruff, 'McGuyver' of the group. The twisted sadistic 'teacher' is played by Takeshi Kitano (A.K.A. 'Beat' Takeshi) who is extremely well known in Japan, and has played a few roles in english-speaking movies as well. His acting is nothing short of phenomenal. He both disgusts and saddens the viewer with his intense portrayal of the character.
The cinematography is slightly higher than standard for a Japanese film, the lighting is alright but some of the scenes have a slightly grainy look (not sure, it may be on purpose) but it is all made up for by the quality of the camera angles and shots. The movie is about 2 hours long and it holds the viewer tightly, the story starts fast and keeps going at breakneck speed.
The Book -
As is to be expected the book tops the movie all the way. The character development that there isn't time for in the movie is pushed here. The storys' focus is on the children's relationships and thier opinions and impressions of the government. We learn the history behind the Program (the government's name for the battle royale), and the reasoning for it. If you enjoy the movie, than the book will be like reading the movie accept so much MORE!
The Manga -
The manga was actually my first exposure to Battle Royale. It was the first manga I had seen that was shrinkwrapped with a large parental guidance sticker on the cover. I saw it and knew that I would have to purchase it. It is a long series and I only have a few, but it is like a cross between the movie and the book. There is more development than the movie but less than the book. The art is...alright. It's not bad, but it's not awesome.
So...please watch/read teh Battle Royale and post comments to let me know what you think!
Could you kill your best friend?
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