reideen1313
11-12-2004, 06:12 PM
Have any of you read the book, manga or seen the movie?
I've read it twice and each time, I've been amazed by just how possible a future it could be.
For those not familiar with the subject, essentially it is a "what-if?" tale set in the near future. An unnammed Asian government has passed a law because they were 'fearful of the youth', which basically means one class of 15 year olds must engage in the Battle Royale, a bizarre survivalist exercise. The kids are told they are going on an excursion and while in the bus, they are gassed. When they wake up, they are on a deserted island, with a silver collar around their necks. A teacher from one of their classes shows them an MTV type of reality video which explains the rules. The only rule is that the "players" cannot be in an area that is declared off limits and they cannot attempt to leave the island, otherwise the collar will explode. The students are told they must eliminate their fellow students - thus the name Battle Royale. Only the last survivor gets to go home - and only if the 'game' lasts less than three days - otherwise - oops. Everyone dies. The students are given backpacks with equiptment - this appears to be done totally at random. Some students get weapons - automatic pistols, revolvers, machetes, swords, knives, etc, and some get items like a megaphone, a lid from a cook pot, boxing gloves or a pair of binoculars.
Instead of attempting to off the teachers and guards, the students break into their cliques, taking revenge on people that have wronged them in the past. Alliances are formed and then broken. Classmates die. In the end...well that would be telling now, wouldn't it? :D
Personally, I haven't had the chance to see the movie, but I keep hoping for a US release someday. Bootleg copies just don't do it for me, so that really isn't an option. I don't think it would ever be remade here in the states, ala The Ring, because too many people would be upset - the MPAA and FCC would probably step in over some kind of decency issue and that would be that.
I've read it twice and each time, I've been amazed by just how possible a future it could be.
For those not familiar with the subject, essentially it is a "what-if?" tale set in the near future. An unnammed Asian government has passed a law because they were 'fearful of the youth', which basically means one class of 15 year olds must engage in the Battle Royale, a bizarre survivalist exercise. The kids are told they are going on an excursion and while in the bus, they are gassed. When they wake up, they are on a deserted island, with a silver collar around their necks. A teacher from one of their classes shows them an MTV type of reality video which explains the rules. The only rule is that the "players" cannot be in an area that is declared off limits and they cannot attempt to leave the island, otherwise the collar will explode. The students are told they must eliminate their fellow students - thus the name Battle Royale. Only the last survivor gets to go home - and only if the 'game' lasts less than three days - otherwise - oops. Everyone dies. The students are given backpacks with equiptment - this appears to be done totally at random. Some students get weapons - automatic pistols, revolvers, machetes, swords, knives, etc, and some get items like a megaphone, a lid from a cook pot, boxing gloves or a pair of binoculars.
Instead of attempting to off the teachers and guards, the students break into their cliques, taking revenge on people that have wronged them in the past. Alliances are formed and then broken. Classmates die. In the end...well that would be telling now, wouldn't it? :D
Personally, I haven't had the chance to see the movie, but I keep hoping for a US release someday. Bootleg copies just don't do it for me, so that really isn't an option. I don't think it would ever be remade here in the states, ala The Ring, because too many people would be upset - the MPAA and FCC would probably step in over some kind of decency issue and that would be that.