Synopsis & Review

In the new millennium in Japan, the country is in chaos. Kids are no longer behaving like they should and adults are resorting to desperate measures. The government has passed a new law called the "BR rule" which allows adults to kill their own children. Basically one class of junior high kids are taken to an island, given weapons, and told to kill each other. If they haven't all killed each other within three days, they will all die. Only one can survive.

I don't really know how to review this movie. Interestingly I thought the movie was entertaining in a way, but it was also incredibly disturbing. The uniqueness of the film greatly contributes to its entertainment value. I have never seen a film with such a blend of humor, horror, and sadism. The topic of the movie is quite sadistic. Adults are trying to kill their own children?! On the other hand there are moments in the film where I burst out laughing. For example, they show a tape outlining the rules of the "Battle Royale" and the girl in the video is this cute peppy girl that is sort of "cheering" them on.

The plot is really something else. From the outset it is shown that adults are now willingly putting their kids in these battles to the death so from the get-go it didn't seem like the movie was taking itself seriously at all. But then the acting made it seem like the movie was supposed to be realistic because there were a few dramatic scenes in there. Even if the whole movie really was supposed to be some kind of parody, the subject matter isn't really appropriate for that type of movie. Truly I have never watched anything like this. The whole movie I'm just completely shocked, but disturbingly entertained at the same time.

So did I think this movie was a good movie? Overall I'll say that I do think you should check this out. I'm not saying this movie was great, but it was so incredibly unique that it really just can't be missed. I invite you to rent this one and see for yourself whether you like it or not.

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