One of the more impressive qualities about the film is the way most of the character are given enough time to develop on the screen as individuals before they are killed off (there are 42 of them). The students all react in different ways, depending on their background and personalities. You can’t help to think about how you would react in that situation as well as how people you know would react. As the killing and mayhem continues you get a feel for who the likely survivor could be.

Nanahara Shuya, who refuses to take part in the killing, but vows to protect his girlfriend Noriko to the end, are both top candidates. Mitsuko, the vixen with the sickle, gives one of the best performances and has as good as a chance as any. Kawada, last year’s Battle Royale winner, has the experience and intelligence to survive to the end. Kiriyama, a plain nut case who joined this year’s Battle Royale for fun, probably won’t be the survivor but surely will be one of the last two or three.

Trust seems to be the most important element in successfully playing Battle Royale. The ones that are able to trust (with discretion) are usually able to survive the longest, while most of the others are killed by confusion or paranoia over who they can trust. Takseshi Kitano was brilliant throughout the film as the captain/director of Battle Royale. I thought his character was representative of the older Japanese generation in general. Through two phone conversations that he had with his daughter Shiori, you realize he is the type of father that comes home way after his children are asleep and sometimes doesn’t come home at all. His affection for Noriko seems to show his inner despair at being a failure as a father to his daughter Shiori, but he never expresses such thoughts to her.

The ending is surreal and I absolutely loved it. Battle Royale is ultra violent, but with enough wit, satire, and thought provoking ideas to make it one impressive film.One of the more impressive qualities about the film is the way most of the character are given enough time to develop on the screen as individuals before they are killed off (there are 42 of them). The students all react in different ways, depending on their background and personalities. You can’t help to think about how you would react in that situation as well as how people you know would react. As the killing and mayhem continues you get a feel for who the likely survivor could be.

Nanahara Shuya, who refuses to take part in the killing, but vows to protect his girlfriend Noriko to the end, are both top candidates. Mitsuko, the vixen with the sickle, gives one of the best performances and has as good as a chance as any. Kawada, last year’s Battle Royale winner, has the experience and intelligence to survive to the end. Kiriyama, a plain nut case who joined this year’s Battle Royale for fun, probably won’t be the survivor but surely will be one of the last two or three. Trust seems to be the most important element in successfully playing Battle Royale. The ones that are able to trust (with discretion) are usually able to survive the longest, while most of the others are killed by confusion or paranoia over who they can trust.

Takseshi Kitano was brilliant throughout the film as the captain/director of Battle Royale. I thought his character was representative of the older Japanese generation in general. Through two phone conversations that he had with his daughter Shiori, you realize he is the type of father that comes home way after his children are asleep and sometimes doesn’t come home at all. His affection for Noriko seems to show his inner despair at being a failure as a father to his daughter Shiori, but he never expresses such thoughts to her. The ending is surreal and I absolutely loved it. Battle Royale is ultra violent, but with enough wit, satire, and thought provoking ideas to make it one impressive film.