Battle Royale II DVD Review

Battle Royale II DVD

Reviewed by SuperNova

DVD released by Starmax

2003/Japan 133 Minutes/ Rating 18

Written and Directed By: Kinji Fukasaku and Kenta Fukasaku

Produced By: Shigeyuki Endô

Staring: Tatsuya Fujiwara, Ai Maeda, Shûgo Oshinari, Ayana Sakai, Haruka Suenaga, Yuma Ishigaki

Story:

Battle Royale II opens with an all too realistic bombing of several skyscraper buildings that evoke a reminiscent feeling of fear and past memories that to this day still echo across the world. It appears the attacks were devised by Shuya Nanahara (Tatsuya Fujiwara) one of the two survivors of the original BR act and a group he’s aligned himself with called The Wild Seven. Wanted dead for multiple terrorist threats, the government begins to devise a scheme to bring Shuya to justice. By establishing the BR II act (Neo-Century Terror Countermeasure Plan), a survival program similar to the rules of the original Battle Royale, a group of misfit high school students are rounded up and forced to take down The Wild Seven. The governments plan backfires though and the kids join forces, but not before lives are lost in a hellish battle. It’s up to Shuya to lead everyone to sanctuary now, but is it possible? Find out when you watch Battle Royale II ‘Requiem’.

Reviewer’s Thoughts:

Battle Royale II Requiem is the highly anticipated sequel to the engrossingly controversial original Battle Royale. Though director Kinji Fukasaku sadly passed away during the beginning of filming his son Kenta Funasaku vowed to finish his father’s work and took over the directing chair. Despite the fact that the cast and fans all across the world were shocked by his untimely death production managed to carry on. Upon its initial release, the film opened to mixed reactions and even here in America the majority of the criticism was that it was nothing like its disturbing predecessor. I sat down and watched Battle Royale II and came to my own conclusion. A conclusion that many will ultimately not like and possibly could never understand. For what I have seen in ‘Requiem’ was more detailed and thought provoking than the film’s been given justice to have. Here are my thoughts on this understated and unappreciated film...

The story of ‘Requiem’ may appear like an insufferable mess to most, complete with misdirection and scorning political statements. It doesn’t rely on the emotional attachment of the characters conceived so well in the original. Instead the action here is the superior focus concealed inside small impulses of the expressive fear and abandonment these kids are feeling. Essentially Battle Royale the survival program is a helpless war now controlled by a partial democracy, where as in the original it was regarded as a game and room for creativity and exploration. I’m not criticizing anything from the first Battle Royale film, but the government while reprehensible didn’t seem as overwhelmingly oppressive and in a state of multitude like they are here in ‘Requiem’. The lives that the characters take or those that are lost in battle seem less important now, not because we are so disconnected from them, which is not the case, but because the cause and the reason they are so bravely fighting for seems almost uncertain and unclear. The isolation the viewer feels for the characters isn’t because of a lack of creative writing or foolishness on the directors part it’s because in a world corrupted by violence the only means for communication that will actually associate with reality is the hopeless remembrance of lost friends and the undeniable will to never give up. This is indeed the film’s commentary running throughout the movie and never has one been conveyed so realistically and brutally. More importantly the friendships in this movie are often sporadic and underlined by a sense of morale where every kid regardless of their intentions and nobility respect each other. A respect that isn’t easily comprehended and can’t always be explained, but is know to exist.

The film’s most epically valiant scenes come when the characters are faced with uncertain decisions, while trying to remain committed to being sensibly aware and cautious of the surroundings. Believing that there is no light at the end of the tunnel and that happiness can never be sought only discourages the meaning of the battle and provides fuel for those enjoying this carnage. The story isn’t meant for the viewer to contemplate what they would do had they been placed in such a situation (which is a fault not proposed by the film director, but by viewers believing this movie is like its predecessor), but instead is supposed to be examined as a way to prevent this crisis from ever happening. By studying the cause and effect of the war it becomes apparent how great of a tragedy this really is. What’s portrayed in ‘Requiem’ is a statement about our humanity, the downfall of civilization and how we let the world become so unjust. Children are our proposed future, but the attention towards them in Battle Royale II isn’t seen as comforting or nurturing, but a violent escapade that has no moral interpretation. Each character must find resolve for themselves initially making sacrifices that will forever be remembered and honored. It is a statement about maturity and recognizing the ability to take hold of a situation. While the level of interaction often seems at times forced, and the subtle encounters of awkward communication usually take place when someone is dying, with the fighting stopping just long enough for our hero and heroine to exchange words, the flow of the movie still feels consistent. It all has to do with characters developing into adults and how in war there really isn’t a time for interaction or recollection. It’s not until your partner or friend befalls a tragedy that you actually stop to acknowledge them and pay your respect.

Although this time the guerilla warfare like school uniforms are traded in for camouflaged army fatigues and the mystery duffle bags no longer contain a mystery, but a fully automatic assault rifle, the feeling of despair still attaches itself to the viewer. Some have said the change is questionable even analyzing the outfits as a way to distance the viewer from the group, but harsh minds know nothing as the fatigues provide a sense of urgency in what is at stake and that these kids are indeed at war. There’s a scene in the movie where the group of kids from the BRII program ride on speedboats storming the island of the Wild Seven. It plays out like a montage of the D-Day events with emotionless and vacant bodies scattered up and down the shoreline, but compared to the original (where the group of kids are given various weapons and sent out to the island one by one) the result here seems less contentious overall, but more significant to the film’s message. As these kids die for no reason we as viewers are left questioning. We want to help them, but we can’t understand why they are dying just as the characters in the movie can’t understand what is happening. Not even thirty minutes into the film can the viewer catch their breath and analyze the situation before land mortars, sniper rifles and sub machine guns kill the majority of the kids from the Battle Royale II group. It’s a surreal and often intriguing look at a sadistic predicament not meant to entertain the viewer, but to bring forth questions about why this is occurring.

Shuya Nanahara is like a black sheep messiah. Motivated to end a war no matter how long it will take. Only the difficulty with Shuya is he has no real answer to the problems around him. He dreams of happiness and smiling faces, but there is no place content to live out eternal tranquility. So it seems inevitable that Shuya struggles trying to find the right words to say when giving guidance or accepting a speech. Shuya’s character is essentially an adult, but confined to an eternity of great loss because of all that he’s been through. The message that he’s trying to portray is that if he can change then everybody can change. A lot of people have died for what seems like no reason at all, but it’s predisposed on both sides. The Wild Seven wasn’t meant to be scrutinized as a terrorist organization. They didn’t want to kill people, they didn’t even want to be involved with this whole war. They find themselves trapped by life’s trials and tribulations and a tyrannical government in which they can’t escape. They want it all to end and to go back to living in a freedom filled environment, but they can’t. It is literally that simple. The movie’s fault lies in its attempt to actually make sense and justify why these attacks are occurring. But the reason why it can’t be explained for all of us to comprehend is because there are no rules to war, and Shuya while mature for his age is unable to process the actual intelligence to bring an end to all of this gloom. I’m not saying he is dumb, there’s just no way to sort out the confusion of Japan’s society. The same thing could be said about the government and the malicious media who enjoy torturing these kids.

In essence the movie really has no projected outcome (which is why a lot of people dislike the sequel), everyone is corrupted to a varying degree, but it’s our inner conscious that compels us to side with the kids because they seem so innocent in all of this. The biggest fault is placed upon the viewers who go into this movie without any manipulation and believe it to be another ‘Battle Royale’. I cannot stress that enough, please do not go into this film believing to see Kitano revitalized and emotionlessly telling kids they have to kill each other, because it’s not here and nor should it have ever been. The first Battle Royale was a remarkable and impressive, thought provoking movie that forever changed Japanese cinema. The second is an even more powerful and engagingly relentless thought filled movie and to dismiss that just because Kinji Fukasaku died while making it has to be the most disrespectful thing I’ve ever heard. Battle Royale II ‘Requiem’ is wonderful because it approaches the concept of the original without becoming repetitious. And the feeling you come away with from BR II is not of disappointment or devastation, but of a reward that what you just witnessed was an equal continuation that expands upon the connection people have during times of war and tragedy. Creditability goes to Tatsuya Fujiwara (Shuya Nanahara) for his drive and dedication during the film. It’s almost inspiring to see how much he’s grown not only as a character, but as an actor here in Battle Royale II. His presence is commanding and for a young actor to have such enormous talent and ability that’s truly something special. Ai Maeda is terrific as the skillful assassin looking for the retribution of her father’s death. Though her revenge is just a void to fill in her life, the answers that follow are remarkably transcending to the relationship parents sometimes have with their children. Takeshi Kitano makes a small, but very subtle and important appearance here as well. It’s easy to get lost in such a big cast and this is where the film ultimately succeeds and fails. Unlike the first the majority of the cast is expendable, but just like the first, too many characters often leave the viewer perplexed. Regardless of what anyone says the original Battle Royale and this sequel established character development, but it was limited to several key cast members, and likewise it is easy to often forget the rest of the cast. The characters who stand out are usually the center piece of the puzzle, the ones holding everything together if you will, but here the moral of the story is to never forget those who died for they should be the ones remembered most.

Video:

The epic assault is like a playground of arterial blood with a fixation of scattered bright ominous reds and pulsating vendetta blues. Presented here in an anamorphic 1.85:1 widescreen release Battle Royale II is an attack on artistic violence decorated with exaggerated textures and computer generated macabre. Never has war been so disturbingly poetic and rich with vibrant atmosphere. The imposing doom of death is like swift strokes of brutality painted across a clear white canvas hoping to arouse the curious and strong willed while quickly disposing of the innocents. The beauty comes from the rich and illustrious depth and quality the surrounding environment portrays. No longer is the island filled with soft, delicate virginal sanctuaries, but glistering barb wire and tattered bodies. It’s as hauntingly beautiful as it is strangely uncomfortable.

Audio:

Battle Royale II is presented here in a Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 stereo track. While the DTS track from the Universe release is missing here the movie still sounds exceptional in 5.1. Shell casings scatter the ground with reflecting echoes while the explosion of the bullets leaving the chamber protrude vibrantly. Dialogue remains consistent and committed to not be drowned out by the mayhem and destruction occurring around the voices. The viewer has the option of watching the movie with Korean or English subtitles. Masamichi Amano scored the original Battle Royale, which was mesmerizing and breathtaking. This time he’s accompanied by the Warsaw Orchestra and all I have to say is phenomenal work. The music created here adds dimension to the atmosphere and the hellish terrain that’s covered deep in heroic blood. I love the music Orchestras can create. They are so lively and so enthusiastic. The power an instrument can release is profound and the sound it carries combined with an image of triumph is deeply moving.

Special Features:

Starmax presents this Limited Edition version of Battle Royale II ‘Requiem’ in a two disc set with a bonus eighteen page color booklet filled with an analysis of both Battle Royale I and II, cast and crew information, interviews and pictures. Available on the first disc is a Japanese and Korean original and theatrical trailer alongside a chapter selection menu and an audio menu. Available on the second disc is an assortment of many special features that will leave fans of the Battle Royale series tickled pink. The first supplement is a video message and interview with Tatsuya Fujiwara and director Kenta Fukasaku. It’s meant for Korean audiences, I believe the fan base is quite large over there. Up next is the Gala premier where several of the key cast members from the movie greet the audience on stage and introduce themselves while providing some information and background on the film. The Gala premier is quite fascinating to watch and though I don’t speak Japanese I was content just to listen and observe. Also present is a music video with footage from the movie playing during the duration of the song. There’s an alternate “Farewell to the piano” scene, and even test footage of combat rehearsals. The Warsaw orchestra recording session is really neat for those musically inclined. Also on the second disc are three featurettes on the making of Battle Royale II. The majority of the extras contain no English subtitles so I can only confirm these special features without really commenting on them. Completing the second disc is a biography and filmography of Kinji Fukasaku and trailers from some of his films. Both discs contain animated menus with sound and as if this limited pressing of 1000 copies wasn’t enough to make you want to pick this DVD set up, Starmax even includes a BR II Survival Program patch that any fan would be proud to wear on their clothes. Starmax proves with this release why they are the most definitive DVD company in the market today.

Japanese and Korean original and theatrical trailers

Video message to Korean fans

Music Video

Gala premiere stage greeting

Alternate “Farewell to the Piano” scene

Warsaw orchestra recording session

Camera test footage (combat rehearsals)

Promotional making of film

Press kit promotional featurette

WOWOW Special “All about BRII”

Selected trailers from Kinji Fukasaku’s films

Biography of Kinji Fukasaku

Filmography of Kinji Fukasaku

Photo Gallery

Overall:

A lot of reviewers and fans of the original have seemed quite disappointed with Battle Royale II ‘Requiem’. Insensitively blaming Kenta Funasaku for not fulfilling his father’s dream. I’ll never be able to understand that. I’m not sure why everyone believes these movies owe them something, surely if it would have been an exact replica of the original the majority of the feedback would have been negative, it’s something I can’t comprehend. Perhaps that’s why I review movies differently than many reviewers. To me this was an excellent film that demonstrated versatility and grace while conveying a message of pure sincerity that doesn’t have to be spelled out for the viewer, but exists within various interactions of characters. It’s an exceptional work of art that is sure to make Kinji Fukasaku proud and those who understand the movie and the level of commitment Kenta had for his father’s work. If someone should ever question your morality for watching a film tell them there’s some serious soul searching going on and even if you don’t believe it yourself there will always be reviewers like me and directors like Kenta Funasaku to display it. It saddens me when a son is blamed for ruining his father’s work when in actuality the two were derived from the same genes and if anyone knows their parents the best it’s obviously their children. Battle Royale II is a sequel that you’ll either love or hate, I ask you not to judge this film by others’ opinions and not to go into this movie believing it to be an exact copy of the original for if you do that than you’re no different than anyone else. Enjoy the movie, understand it and learn from it.

Movie: ****½/*****
Video: ****½/*****
Audio: ****½/*****
Supplements: *****/*****

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