Movie Review: Battle Royal

I just watched Battle Royal.

It's a Japanese movie that takes place in an alternate reality where youths have gone out of control and adults are "forced" to institute a barbaric law. I'm confused as to the law and how it works, but it seems like a class of 9th graders are chosen randomly to fight in a battle. All the kids are given various weapons and have to fight each other. The last one standing gets to live.

I'm assuming that this battle is set as an example to other kids. The message seems to be: if you are bad, bad things happen to you. But good kids get caught in the mix, so I'm confused as to the purity of the message. Given the brutality of the movie, I think the flawed storyline was just an excuse for mayhem and murder.

Would I recommend this movie? Not unless you have some sort of sick sadistic tendencies; or you hate kids; or you are some strange Japanese movie loving nut.

I, personally, was reminded of the depravity of man (and woman). In this way, it was somewhat (barely) beneficial to watch. I was, however, not entertained. And it definitely is not a good movie to watch while you work out! It just does not pump you up! And to the unguarded heart, the violence is too much...