ikissedaguru
This Japanese dystopian tale is sought after by a lot of horror buffs. That's not strange because there's over the top gore in it. When it pops up on ebay it goes over a few hundred dollars. It's only available on Japanese VHS but not dubbed or on Ocean Shores Video Limited label which is dubbed.The dubbing itself is stupid and laughable. But you don't watch it for the dubbing. You watch it for the flick that is all about a teen revolution and death-matches. Some scene's are a bit weird like the one with the Minotaur but it's a must see for the political commentary itself.The effects used are two-penny effects and the acting isn't Oscar worthy either. But it's an utterly trashy flick with some cheesy moments like when making love Alan says,"Honey I can't come in, you have seen being blocked, You feel like a virgin". She replies, "I'm horny". You'll get the point, or watch the cockney accent of the whore. The score do add towards the creepiness of some parts.Just have a close look at the VHS cover, does it ring a bell? Yes, the coloured skull used for 'Inferno' by Dario Argento. I liked it and it never bored me, I watched it with a smile on my face, maybe it was the brutal sorcery.
Mahmood-Buttrumps
This is a monumental, immaculately well crafted movie, but not one to be undertaken lightly. The picture's extended running time isn't the reason, as the film is captivating from start to finish. Rather, this is an emotionally draining and powerfully affecting story, and one whose characters will dwell ghostly in your psyche. A lot of talent is required to earn a title like "Battle Royale II," and the team behind director Kenta Fukasaku simply nailed it. Everything about this film was exquisite, and its screenplay is one of deepest running and most unforgettable I've experienced. This is a story about the weight of virtue in a time of war. It is a story about the power of love - even hopeless love - to carry people through impossible hardship. Finally, and as its title alludes, this is a story about what makes men human, and how war transforms them into animals. Riki Takuichi (e.g. "Sword of Doom," "The Big Gundown," etc.) puts in the performance of a lifetime, and the cast is overflowing with familiar faces and memorable characters. Some of the scenes are riveting beyond belief, and the film's 6-part structure allows it to be watched in manageable installments. By any measure, this is one of the great Japanese movies, and one of the deepest war pictures I've seen. One of my 50 favorite films.
riekondoh-116-326404
I made the mistake of listening to the low rating reviews and put this movie off. I will never make that mistake of taking someone elses word over my own. Those who watch BR1 and then came to see BR2 were disappointed because they wanted to see the same movie twice. Why does BR1 need to be repeated in a sequel? Just watch the first one if you want to see the same thing again. BR1 had a message and BR2 stays on that same track with it's message. It's about the children that grow up living in a war they never started. Children that become victims because of the cold actions of adults. This is a movie that's exaggerated but the message is real. This is loosely based around 9- 11 and America going into Afghanistan and the cause,effect, and burden people have to carry because of their actions. When you think about the messages in this movie it's true. War does steal the smiles of children. I think this movie went over a lot of peoples heads because you either saw a war flick, a rant about USA, or a movie that wasn't battle royal.
SeriousJest
It's as if this movie was written by a child: a plot by the World's adults to get the World's kids to kill each other; the ease with which anybody can pick up an assault rifle with a grenade-launcher attachment and instantly know how to operate it like a trained pro; the melodramatic speeches against The Man; and the awkward romantic moments inappropriately scattered throughout non-stop violent war. The action is consistent, though, and Fujiwara does a great job of playing a very different role, now that his character has done a 180 after years on the run with insurgents. Still, unless you're a child, or the novelty of 9th-graders murdering each other is enough to get you geeked about this flick--and then you've got other issues, freak--hold off until the next installment of The Hunger Games.For more reviews and a kickass podcast, check out: www.livemancave.com
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