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Battle Royale

Battle Royale

2000
Drama, Sci-fi
1h 54m
Ninth grade students are taken to a small isolated island with a map, food and various arms. They have to fight each other three days long until the last one remains and are forced to wear a special collar which will explode when they break a rule (imdb)
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Battle Royale

2000
Drama, Sci-fi
1h 54m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 59.78% from 7292 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(7292)
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Rated 12 Feb 2018
79
70th
You can see an impression of "Starship Troopers" in the political and sociological examination (even if it's superficially explained) and a clear influence from "The Running Man." This one is a pretty fun movie that will be forever compared to "The Hunger Games" only this one is good, it pulls no punches, and doesn't cater to twelve-year-old girls.
Rated 30 Nov 2008
55
30th
The main flaw in this movie, I think, is the way we watch the movie from an outsider's perspective. It would have been so much more powerful if we had been watching more often from the perspective of the two main characters. We *see* too much of the killing. I never really felt scared and it was never really that exciting. It all went too mechanically, too casually... I expected more from this movie.
Rated 03 Jul 2012
67
43rd
The part that undeniably works is the beginning, where the students are introduced to the rules of the game, a scene that bleeds tension. The rest of the film can't decide what it wants to be, jumping between scenes of over-the-top violence and scenes of character building and flashbacks that rarely work. An uneven ride, and not strong enough in any one area to compensate for that.
Rated 21 Oct 2008
1
12th
A cheesy and ridiculous fetishized killing spree that blatantly rips off Lord of the Flies and accomplishes nothing. When an action movie is boring you are left with almost nothing, and man is this boring.
Rated 21 May 2007
70
49th
Don't really understand the hype. Mediocrity personified with abrupt, distracting tonal shifts.
Rated 21 Jul 2007
70
66th
My friend brought this film directly from Japan and showed it to a bunch of people at a party. It had no subtitles, and she tried to translate the dialogue as best as she could... but she really didn't even need to. A bomb exploding on a kid's neck is worth a thousand words.
Rated 01 Feb 2008
2
33rd
Nihilistic death pornography. If there is social commentary here, I don't want to watch a bunch of kids being murdered in order to find it.
Rated 25 Dec 2008
75
75th
The acting is horrible, as is the script. It also summarizes everything that is wrong with Japanese culture. Still, it's good entertainment if you see it for what it is: mindless action. Any claim of social commentary is a joke.
Rated 03 Oct 2009
75
82nd
I've changed my mind, I like this movie now
Rated 14 Dec 2008
70
51st
Decent exploitation, nothing more. It's too enthusiastic to be considered brutal or gritty, and the characters are one-note and unlikable. It boggles the mind that even the most avid Japanophile would defend it as good commentary on whatever the hell it's supposed to evoke.
Rated 30 Jun 2009
50
23rd
This isn't so much an "action movie" as it is a series of executions. Anybody who says that there's some deep, profound meaning to all the carnage is just being a douchebag.
Rated 25 Jan 2014
80
77th
Japanese schoolgirls sound like seagulls dying.
Rated 27 Feb 2007
13
66th
Cheesy, shallow, clichéd, but relatively fun nevertheless.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
79
50th
Battle Royale is quite effective on the action-horror front, but it ultimately suffers under its thin plot and veers dangerously close on the verge of painfulness when trying to convey drama, or worse, give social commentary. One to watch with your brain off.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
57
35th
While it's certainingly an interesting movie, if for the shock value alone, it just feels like Lord of the Flies but with far more emphasis on violence rather than story and characters.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
65
29th
A nice idea but the execution wasn't too great, let down by a bad script and terrible acting.
Rated 27 Dec 2008
67
55th
Summary: A bunch of Japanese kids kill each other. It's bloody and fairly interesting. But mainly bloody.
Rated 29 Mar 2009
68
30th
Not as much cool as it is annoying
Rated 19 Jul 2009
75
29th
Both it's best and worst feature is the twisted, immoral reality it portrays.
Rated 18 Dec 2009
52
26th
The main flaw in this movie, I think, is the way we watch the movie from an outsider's perspective. It would have been so much more powerful if we had been watching more often from the perspective of the two main characters. We *see* too much of the killing. I never really felt scared and it was never really that exciting. It all went too mechanically, too casually... I expected more from this movie.
Rated 19 Nov 2010
50
30th
Too much and incapable of attaching me to the characters. But maybe I was just too tired to remember all those japanese names. Interesting and I certainly don't regret watching it, but don't fill me with some crap about me not understanding it because of cultural difference. It's alright, but I won't rate it higher just because it's fun that kids kill each other. Yawn.
Rated 17 Dec 2011
80
80th
Groundbreaking satirical masterpiece, yes. Killer kawaii awesomeness, sure. But let me just tell you that kids today have it too easy. This is NOTHING compared to what I went through, back when I was in school. They didn't even have to eat each other!
Rated 29 Jan 2012
80
88th
The Japanese seem like the only culture that hates teenagers as much as me.
Rated 10 May 2012
25
24th
I can't see what the fuzz is all about. Story is shallow as hell. There is no real reasoning behind the game, nor any payoff to it. The action is laughable. Blood is everywhere, anything causes their clothes to become drenched in it. Bullet and cut holes are almost nonexistent, so it seems like they had an accident eating a hamburger, not been shot or stabbed. The professional kid they put in is ridiculous: typical anime guy with colored hair. Oh yeah, and he misses people with an UZI at 3 feet.
Rated 02 Aug 2012
9
88th
Who needs the Hunger Games?
Rated 03 Dec 2013
52
20th
Overrated garbage shit. Barely get to know anyone, now everyone start fighting. Spend too long on learning about someone to watch them die and not really care. No emotional impact of really anything.
Rated 01 Mar 2007
60
62nd
As cult films go this is quality.
Rated 18 Mar 2007
60
41st
Great concept that suffers from shitty everything else.
Rated 17 Apr 2007
75
42nd
Woo, so disturbing. Also: wildly controversial. But not a bad story underneath.
Rated 24 Jul 2007
50
24th
Doesn't live up to the hype. Ultimately, it is mildly entertaining, mindless action that at times pretends to be some sort of ill-thought-out social commentary. Poor execution ruins a good concept.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
96th
The movie is all kinds of awesomeness, ands pulls of taking itself seriously as well.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
97th
This is a really bizzare Japanese film, but sit through it. Poor acting, fake-as-all-get-out death scenes, but for some reason I loved watching it. Great premise I suppose.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
92
94th
A brilliant dystopian movie.
Rated 16 Aug 2007
75
77th
+ recommended :: What a great premise. It's a little difficult to believe that this could happen, but maybe it's explained better in the book. I liked the concept a lot, but the execution was a little clunky in places. Even more so at the end. I can't help but wonder if the translation was leaving out some key information.
Rated 24 Aug 2007
100
99th
Ostensibly my favorite movie of all time. I could watch this forever and never get sick of it.
Rated 05 Feb 2008
84
71st
If only there was philosophy behind the movie that made any sense. Take it as a straight up splatter and the evening goes by easily
Rated 07 Apr 2008
68
38th
This film was made with an admirable lack of inhibition. It's the sort of film your darkest fantasies dream of seeing, but don't expect ever to get made. I remember the tentative feeling when I started watching it for the first time; having an idea of its premise made it all the more intense.
Rated 16 Jul 2008
65
33rd
17 Temmuz 08, 00:30am. & kotu bir film. ne vahset sahneleri vahsetli, ne de mesaj icerikli sahnelerin mesajları düzgun. birbirlerini olduren -gayet de kotu rol yapan- neredeyse istisnasiz olmeden once yaninda kim varsa "aslinda ben seni seviyordum ama..ihh iiihih..(kafa yana duser, olur)" seklinde ilani ask eden bir suru japon genci izlemek zevkliyse hakikaten zevkli, ama bir de bu anlattigimin zevkli olmadigi gercegi var.(eksisozluk, yazar: sereg) & normal bi gise filminden bir artisi yok.
Rated 04 Feb 2009
70
79th
A little mindless, and not a new concept but it was fun nonetheless. I feel sorry for those who can't just sit back and enjoy a movie like this, not everything is Godfather II people.
Rated 07 Feb 2009
95
98th
This movie... is awesome.
Rated 02 Jul 2009
75
56th
It has problems, but it is still a better caution tale than anything that the U.S. has been pumping out in recent years.
Rated 23 Jul 2009
75
79th
Harrowing look into just how far you will go to survive, and how easily manipulated the human race is.
Rated 19 Aug 2009
80
27th
Points just for being so ridiculous too violent for my taste....I mean come on there are such a thing as limits
Rated 15 Sep 2009
86
63rd
Storyline in general is pretty far below average, but regardless, the scenes are well executed & that makes it fun to watch.
Rated 16 Nov 2009
6
34th
An interesting premise which the films fails to scrutinize (can't speak for the book). Screaming and crying is what passes for acting in this film, but damn it, is it one of the most fun you'll have watching a film. A guilty pleasure. Mmmmmm Asians...
Rated 26 Apr 2010
88
42nd
I really love this movie because of the message that transmites. The high taxes of unemployment in Japan took the japanese youth to rebel against the government, which made that the government applied a drastic law. What is the government capable of doing? It's a question that we often ask while watching this movie. Alot of good actors, now known in the Japanese movie industry. Alot of blood and a good Soundtrack. Overall 88.
Rated 27 Jul 2010
3
38th
Everybody Dies: The Movie.
Rated 14 Oct 2010
60
36th
Apparently nobody ever runs out of bullets except for when it's required by the plot. Also, for the life of me I don't understand why a movie like this with such shallow characters would choose to focus on the two people undeniably the lamest weapons on the island, which they never even use. Isn't the joy of the movie seeing them use the weapons? Even if it's a garbage can lid, I want to see how that kid survives. This movie is silly, but I'll re watch it someday.
Rated 24 Jun 2011
12
8th
Even for a bloodsport film, this is just bizarre. Nothing is explained, none of the characters are interesting, and all the back-stories are just shoe-horned into the film at convenient times to try to make you care whether people live or die. Needless to say, rose-tinted flashbacks aren't a very effective way to make viewers care about your characters; and if that's the only development your characters have, a successful film is unlikely.
Rated 09 Dec 2011
85
90th
It bothers me to think people see this movie as nothing more than a shockfest of violence and gore. The thing I most admire about the film is its ability to capture the social frustrations of contemporary Japan through two generations. When a film like this is released, don't assume it's just exploitative spectacle--think about the cultural context in which it was released. I feel it speaks quite strongly to an alienated and repressed Japan of the last half-century. Great stuff.
Rated 24 Mar 2012
72
76th
Brutal, mindless fun. It can get a bit tedious and confusing, and a few attempts to add dimension to characters fall flat, but still enjoyable nonetheless.
Rated 31 May 2012
15
21st
"Maybe Battle Royale's ultimate punchline is its inexplicable ability to fool some people into taking it seriously." - Chuck Bowen
Rated 08 Jul 2012
72
52nd
The biggest complaints I had were that the reason for the "Battle Royale Act" was pretty poorly explained because the stated reason it was for was pretty illogical and some of the deaths were pretty melodramatic. It did have a very gritty and dark feel to it, and not the kind people rave over with superhero movies. It got it through real locations and not really any big CGI bits to mention. Also there is no real depth here, it was fun and engaging, but ascribing a deeper meaning to this is dumb.
Rated 15 Sep 2012
70
44th
Once the inital shock of the brutality wears off, the movie loses a lot of what makes it interesting. The premise itself is thoroughly illogical, and the habit many characters have of needing last words before dying gets old fast. Still, it's a fun movie that kept me engaged all the way though.
Rated 08 Dec 2012
78
56th
I would have preferred if they just dropped the sentimental, backstory BS. It was cool enough just watching Japanese kids try to kill themselves. The film's "philosophy" made it annoying.
Rated 09 Dec 2012
90
95th
"This is real!!!"
Rated 28 Jan 2013
92
95th
I think Noriko Nakagawa says it best, "It's beautiful... even though it's where everyone died." This film did a good job of exploring themes like young love, loneliness, friendship, and the strained relationship between teenagers and adults. I went in expecting a no-brainer carnage fest, but this film is just so much more. You actually care for and feel sorry for the characters. The film score is very good too and complement the scenes very well. Bloody and disturbing, but hauntingly beautiful.
Rated 28 Apr 2013
85
87th
In honor of Takeshi Kitano I wish the guys who did the voices on the old mXc show would do a dub of this movie as some unseen announcers.
Rated 18 Jun 2014
60
44th
That teacher sure is a dick.
Rated 15 Aug 2014
9
91st
Battle Royale is one of the most violent, brutal and shocking films I've ever seen. And its hard to believe that kids killing each other could be so much fun. Kinji Fukasaku succeeds in making a truly shocking film that gets under your skin. The concept is interesting yet simple and in places illogical. But for mindless entertainment this film delivers. And prior to this film I'd never seen anything quite like it. And for all the carbon copies this concept had spawned, this remains the best.
Rated 27 Nov 2014
90
89th
Ugh... I hate how they ripped off Hunger Games... Okay,that should've grabbed your attention. I love this movie. Come on, let's be honesty now. Haven't we all at some time wanted to kill a teen or two?
Rated 01 Mar 2016
73
52nd
I sympathized most with the fat kid who dies immediately.
Rated 04 May 2016
96
96th
The ending is sub-par and doesn't fit the rest of the movie but this is pretty much the only really big flaw. It is one of very few movies to do well as an action flick, a horror flick, and also a drama. While the premise seems extremely unlikely, the characters react in ways that are often very plausible, thus selling the premise just hard enough to be truly chilling.
Rated 14 Aug 2016
66
30th
Fun. I wish there was less shitty drama and more cheesy ass kicking
Rated 12 Aug 2017
50
21st
This movie really needs to decide on the main character. Also it would be nice if there were less anime-styled reveals of love every 5 minutes.
Rated 18 Mar 2018
63
24th
As a splatter movie, it's passable entertainment (though perhaps not as out and out gory as its reputation), but attempts at a deeper poignancy, and even satiric elements, fail because none of the characters are clearly defined or focussed. The material screams for the Verhoeven touch (and I'd see that for a dollar!) -- the killings themselves are not especially creative or imaginatively executed. Only Kitano as the sinister Sensei makes an impression amongst the cast.
Rated 03 Aug 2018
85
98th
Definitely the best of the sub-genre! Certainly has a Japan feel of film making from the camera cuts and crazy blood gushing scenes. If you like violence in your films and a little humour thrown in as well this is the film for you. Easy to see why it has now become a cult classic.
Rated 14 Mar 2021
80
78th
Top badass moment? Japanese school kids are either very conscientious or very optimistic; even when they’re being sent out to almost certain death, they still take their school bags. With acting more uneven than the surface of the M20, the world’s most inaccurate Uzi (that also never runs out of bullets) and a back-story that makes no sense, plus way too much boyfriend chat and cooking, this ought to be crap. Strangely it’s not, I wanted Mitsuko to win. No cats, chainsaws or decapitations.
Rated 22 Dec 2006
94
93rd
Wicked sweet!!!!!!!
Rated 17 Jan 2007
81
69th
This has been compared to Lord of the Flies a lot, but they're really not that similar beyond the basic premise of kids killing each other (which, if I recall correctly, only happens once in Lord anyway). Battle Royale is a pretty satisfying mix of adolescent social dynamics and just plain fun murder and mayhem.
Rated 19 Jan 2007
75
75th
Cool and fun japanese violence.
Rated 22 Jan 2007
80
52nd
Not as captivating as the book is, but still a great film with an interesting style.
Rated 23 Jan 2007
65
41st
A bit different from the book, and more enjoyable for the most part (although less violent!). Pretty good.
Rated 29 Jan 2007
30
15th
Mindlessly entertaining, gratuitous violence.
Rated 09 Feb 2007
88
87th
and 86 out of 100 for the extended Special Version.
Rated 08 Jun 2007
85
73rd
Awesome social commentary and brutal scenes that degenerate at the end.
Rated 09 Jun 2007
92
82nd
While the film was really good, the book was still just that much more better.
Rated 11 Jun 2007
55
18th
Stupid! Read the novel instead.
Rated 30 Jun 2007
90
75th
The best allegorical examination of high school social politics since DePalma's Carrie.
Rated 07 Aug 2007
85
69th
This movie is hilarious if you ask me.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
84th
Teenagers on an island killing each other with a variety of weapons, all fighting to be the final survivor. Unashamedly fun and gory.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
71st
Good wholesome fun for the whole family.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
94
96th
Pumped so full of style and blood you'll be screaming for more! Would love to see this in a theater full of fans.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
67th
Violent just for the sake of violence.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
78
85th
Creepy and effective, with hamfisted commentary shoehorned in. Does not relent in any way.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
84
76th
If you haven't seen that many Japanese films, then this is a good intro to the way their films can be. I found this movie to be a little drawl, and the way it shifted between the students was erratic. If you want a much better story, and better detail of character relationships check out the manga.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
86
72nd
Tense, dramatic and tragic. So very awesome.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
91
93rd
The only drawback is the cheesy special effects. Once you look past the collegiate blood effects, you just have a great adaptation (with some liberties taken) of Koushun Takami's novel. A great idea, and some great performances from the young actors involved. Spawned a forgettable sequel, but I can definitely forgive.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
40th
Pretty good, but it loses lots of points by straying from the book in dangerous proportions.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
84
62nd
The concept sounds like an amazing plot for a terrible B-Movie, but BR is done much better than you would think. Where it shines is its ability to keep track of the students and how they react, instead of knowing the story of one or two amongst X number of students. Sure to entertain
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
58th
Can't compete with other recent Japanese film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
58th
A Japan-styled probe into the teenager's mind. Very impressive. Teacher Kitano is the coolest pedagogue i have ever seen in a movie!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
73
53rd
Odd, but with heart.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
93
81st
Good. Lots of different elements blen together well.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
8
93rd
Although it peters out a bit in the last act, the concept is simple, sublime brilliance with lots of potential for action and entertainment. Exciting, with great gore and some hilariously evil performances from the villains. A must see for action fans.
Rated 18 Aug 2007
98
97th
Fantastic Japanese masterpiece not afraid to use graphic violence. A social commentary on the competition in Japanese schools.
Rated 27 Aug 2007
60
5th
A crazy premise, but surprisingly good production values. Goofy, a little creepy, not bad.
Rated 04 Sep 2007
80
17th
Horrible acting but Japanese kids murdering each other. Win.
Rated 12 Sep 2007
85
65th
disturbing but it slogs a bit in the middle
Rated 15 Sep 2007
75
79th
Occasionally uneven tone aside, this is a pretty crazy,bloody, and entertaining film.

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