Battle Royale

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Slick R Classic!!! Must watch. Remember, this was before Hunger Games and all the other dystopian movies. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/29/25 Full Review Cailei P Brutal but very entertaining. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/25/25 Full Review Kevin P A brutal, but highly entertaining dystopian action movie with such an influential premise (Hunger Games, Squid Game, etc.). The movie just throws you right into the thick of it with a very flashy and stylized opening sequence that explains the intriguing dystopian backstory behind the games (which admittedly feels rushed, but to be fair in a way it also pumps up your adrenaline with its fast pacing and uncertainty, much like the clueless student participants). The rocket fueled pacing throws you into the action as the students are hauled away within the first few minutes with that infamous bus gas mask reveal scene. The large ensemble cast is huge, but the student characters are all really likable and distinct, with a ton of personality. It's funny, cause I always wondered how Hunger Games would go down with guns, and this movie basically answers that, and it's amazing. The film carefully balances the tone between gruesome violence, depressing dystopian tension, and funny satire. The school room informal PSA video explaining battle royale had me in stitches. I liked the cool island setting for the battle royale. From the beginning in the classroom setting, the stakes are raised immediately as the villainous teacher explains and ruthlessly demonstrates the rules of the games. Guns, good and shelter may be a nice step up from the Hunger Games, but man, those location-sensitive necklaces and the 3-day time limit really add so much tension. There really is no hiding this one out. I loved the constant screen displays of each deceased contestant and how many remain. It's great for the pacing and really highlights how much closer the walls are caving in as the pool of contestants are whittled away one by one. Even at the very start, I was laughing with the confused fat kid with the crossbow panicking and immediately messing up. The fight scenes are very entertaining. Contestants are constantly slaying each other back and forth and it's such an adrenaline rush to watch. The morning anthem listing the dead REALLY reminded me of the Hunger Games. I wish the pacing was a little slower. On one hand, it keeps the movie frantic and exciting, but I do wish we spent a little more time with the characters and worldbuilding in the first act. The English voice dub is admittedly hit-or-miss. Most of the voices are fine, but man, the voice for the main contestants sounds so dorky and unenthusiastic. It sounds like a stoned Napoleon Dynamite or Jay Baruchel pretending to sound concerned. But I won't be too harsh, cause man was it funny and to be honest it just added to the film's sense of humor (even if a better voice actor would've been vastly preferred). Like Squid Game, you get a real sense of classroom social dynamics being played out on the arena with the different alliances, distrust, bullying, and vengeance. Some of the students find some creative ways to try to get rid of the shock collar. The survivor transfer student had a captivating backstory and gives a great performance that really makes you buy his gruff history. That one scene where the crazy student throws the head with the grenade in its mouth was brutal. I liked the hideout locale for the hacker trio. Even if their plans weren't successful, hacking the system was so satisfying with the plan to blow up the headquarters. The climax was epic and the ending was bittersweet, but hopeful for change with the new generation. Its tone and violence might not be for everyone, but I still found this to be a very captivating and entertaining dystopian action film. While I personally prefer the characters and world building of Hunger Games & Squid Game, I still really like this film and can't deny its incredible reach of influence on the battle royale genre (it's even in the title!). Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/23/25 Full Review Jack F It was a good watch. Better than the Hunger Games movies. Really entertaining. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/17/25 Full Review Abigail C Battle Royale is a movie that grabs you fast with its nail-biting story and real look at what it takes to stay alive. The movie's quick and violent scenes and the chaos really keep you watching. The BR Act shows how a government can go too far in controlling people. This tough program is an example of how those in charge can push people around by making them scared, painting a bleak picture of a world where people aren't free. The film uses this idea to get into what happens with power, control, and that natural urge to survive when things are bad. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/16/25 Full Review Angela C I really liked this film from just reading the premise of the movie I was hooked. This film showed violence, gore, and other action scenes and I liked that they weren't hesitant to show anything. It was a prime example of survival of the fittest and it just fit that disturbing horror films I actually do enjoy. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/14/25 Full Review Read all reviews

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