The late Kinji Fukasaku's controversial Battle Royale, inspired by Koshun Takami's novel, is set in the near future, a time when unemployment and increasing juvenile delinquency have led to a crisis. Following a government decree, the concept of the 'battle royale' is introduced. Teenage schoolchildren are transported to an island, outfitted with explosive collars that can be triggered from a distance, and given three days to eliminate each other, with the sole survivor given his or her freedom.
At first, the black comedy inherent in this bizarre film is grimly amusing, especially with Beat Takeshi playing Kitano, a chillingly cold-blooded cop. But after a while the endless slaughter numbs the mind and, ultimately, this is a trashy film which doesn't live up to the promise of an updated Lord of the Flies.
