Anyone see Battle Royale?

[Guest nWoCHRISnWo]

I loved the movie, but I didn't understand everything. Maybe I just forgot or am an idiot, but why did that kid at the beginning of the movie stab the teacher Kitano? Also, at the end of the movie, what did Kawada (when we hear gun shots and are assumed to believe that he shot Nanahura (or whatever his name was) and the girl? Hack into those collars? And why was Kitano's gun full of water at the end of the movie? And what was up with that pic that Kitano showed them at the end with the girl not dead? Where did all the army guys go when the three kids escaped?

 

There's probably a very simple answer to everything, but I'd appreciate any help. Thanks.

[Guest Crucifixio Jones]

I happen to know a thing or two about Battle Royale so let's see if I can answer a few of your questions:

 

1. Why did that kid at the beginning of the movie stab the teacher Kitano?

 

A: The kid in question was Yoshitoki Kuninobu, known in the movie simply as Nobu. At the time Kitano got stabbed, Class B was refusing to come to class (as evidenced by the decree they left on the chalkboard that Kitano was looking at when Noriko walks in), skipping school and basically doing whatever they wanted to do. Who knows if it was a pre-meditated attack or what to emphasize the entire class' or Nobu's individual point. But I think the scene was there just to emphasize that Nobu was a miscreant delinquent bad seed and to drive home the point that the kids were out of control to the point where they were even brazenly attacking authority figures such as their teachers on top of not even attending class in the first place. It also helped to set up Nobu's demise later on and gave Kitano a reason to blow up Nobu's neck collar as an example for the rest of the class. You also don't feel bad for Nobu because, shit, the kid had it coming.

 

2. what did Kawada (when we hear gun shots and are assumed to believe that he shot Nanahura (or whatever his name was) and the girl? Hack into those collars?

 

A: We don't get to see what actually happens when Kawada fires his gun at Nanahara and Noriko towards the end of the movie. But obviously he doesn't kill them. That's why the gunshots are heard and not seen. Kawada seems to already know what Mimura figured out earlier: that on top of tracking their movements and vital signs with the collars, they were also listening to them. So Kawada fooled them into thinking he had killed Nanahara and Noriko to setup their ambush of Kitano at the end. How he actually hacked the colllars to fool everyone I don't know it's never really said exactly, but it's alluded to that he gained that information somehow in the last BR game he was involved in. Kawada, as you already know, was out to avenge the girlfriend he lost in his first game. All we are told is that Kawada hacked the collars, fooled everyone and you know what happens from there.

 

3. why was Kitano's gun full of water at the end of the movie?

 

A: I think Kitano wanted to die. Why he wanted to die, I can't really say but I think this is what we are meant to believe. As we see later, Kitano does have a REAL LOADED gun in his possession (he shoots the cell phone) but chose not to use it when the final three open fire on him. But he pulled his water pistol and made them believe that he had a real gun so that they would gun him down. Maybe things weren't working out with whoever was on the other end of the phone, maybe he felt bad about what he had just taken part in or...

 

4. what was up with that pic that Kitano showed them at the end with the girl not dead?

 

A: Kitano obviously had a thing for Noriko. He liked her best for some reason and his painting just illustrated that fact. While he painted everyone else dead and mutilated in different grotesque fashions, Noriko stood in the middle of his mural surrounded by divine light. His affection towards Noriko is also obvious when he appears in the woods to offer her an umbrella out of the blue and the dream sequence where he and Noriko have a conversation about school while sharing ice cream.

 

5. Where did all the army guys go when the three kids escaped?

 

A: Kitano sent them away to check for sure that Nanahara and Noriko were dead right? My memory is hazy. The fact of the matter is, after they thought the game was over, Kitano did send the soldiers into the field. It was as if he knew Kawada had a score to settle and Kitano waited for him. And as you saw, Kitano DID have an inkling about how much Kawada knew about the game and the collars and had a few questions to ask him, which I'm sure is why he wanted privacy. As for them escaping, I'm sure it wasn't that hard for them to find a boat and sneak off of some beach on that secluded island 1. everyone thought the game was over and 2. they thought that ONE guy had one and would stay put; they weren't even LOOKING for 3 people trying to escape.

 

Hope I've been some help.

[Guest Ravenbomb]

I don't care if they ruin it or not, I want somebody to re-make Battle Royale in the US, just so they'll release the Japanese version over here on DVD like they did with Ringu. Preferably the 2-disc edition

[Guest El Satanico]

It'll eventually get a Region 1 release.

 

Didn't a US company already buy the rights to it or am I thinking of another Japanese movie?

[Guest Legend]

Ive got it on dvd and its great. Love the film

[Guest Marshall]

I don't care if they ruin it or not, I want somebody to re-make Battle Royale in the US

Ew, god, I hope that NEVER happens!

[Guest El Satanico]

I just made a Battle Royale remake in the make your own movie thread.

[Guest nWoCHRISnWo]

Thanks Crucifixio Jones, some of that stuff I already kinda figured and just wanted to make sure or see if there was a different explanation. I'm not the best at figuring things out in movies when they don't blatantly tell you what is happening. Thinking for yourself... Pfft.

[Guest Ravenbomb]

oh, I know it's on DVD on region 0 NTSC, but if it gets released here then more ppl will see how wicked awsm it is

[Guest evenflowDDT]

It'll eventually get a Region 1 release.

 

Didn't a US company already buy the rights to it or am I thinking of another Japanese movie?

Tokyo Shock recently picked up the rights to Ichi the Killer, but to the best of my knowledge no American company's had the balls to license Battle Royale or the upcoming Battle Royale 2. Which of course means I just have to save up to buy the Korean 2-disc SE (although I finally saw the director's cut yesterday and it didn't do much for me...only one added sequence adds anything really necessary, maybe two IMO).

[Guest Ravenbomb]

Ichi the Killer's coming to the US? Fuckin Awsm!

[Guest evenflowDDT]

Ichi the Killer's coming to the US? Fuckin Awsm!

Yea, I don't believe an official date has been announced, but I know they've had a few one-off theatrical screenings of it and have more planned...the DVD might even be out by the end of the year. I'd be interested in what special features they'd have though. Their upcoming Vs release is supposed to be pretty massive, but what special features for Ichi could they have that aren't already covered by the Dutch release or the Hong Kong Legends UK release? Because unless it's something spectacular, I fail to see the point other than just making it available in Region 1. But then as someone who has a multi-region player and already shelled out the cash for the import I guess I can afford to be a snob on issues like this.

[Guest 5_moves_of_doom]

But the real question is, how the fuck does Kiriyama get his hair like that?

 

 

...I'm serious. I NEED to know this.

[Guest 5_moves_of_doom]

You also don't feel bad for Nobu because, shit, the kid had it coming.

You know what, fuck that. I felt plenty of sympathy for Nobu. I think this is for two reasons:

 

1.) He's the first real death of the movie (I think the girl gets axed before him, but he's the first one to die with any REAL background or screentime before he dies... I don't even remember the axed-girl's name. So at this point, you're just going "Holy shit, they're REALLY killing KIDS."

 

2.) When it all came down to it, no matter what a little brat he was, he was still just a kid, and the beeping (rising of intensity) of the collar and the knowing he was going to die and he couldn't help it completely tore down his badass mask and turned him into just a scared little kid, helpless as can be. Fear brings out the inner-most depths of your soul and who you are, and by the time he shouts out his best friend's name, begging for help, and his head explodes... well, I can't help but feel a little bad.

 

 

Aside from that... I will say that I really love this movie... but does ANYONE know ANYTHING about the sequel yet? I'm REALLY interested in this.

[Guest Crucifixio Jones]

I disagree!

 

Nobu may be just a kid and he may have had a little screentime before his death and everything you said may be true, but the audience isn't meant to empathize with Nobu. The only screentime he gets, is when he slashes the backside of an innocent teacher. This isn't like when the other characters are given a few minutes of backstory and you do care about them because you see that they were GOOD kids, not future criminals like Nobu. Fuck Nobu. And his head doesn't explode, but he gets a pretty good gusher coming outta his throat area. And the other girl doesn't get "axed", she gets a knife thrown at her head. And I remember her name just fine: Fumiyo Fujiyoshi.

 

As far as part II goes, the plot is supposed to center around the survivors of part I, Nanahara and Noriko. They've formed a terrorist group called the Wild Seven (anyone who's read the novel would recognize this as Kawada's favorite brand of cigarettes) and are performing terrorist acts all over Japan i.e. (as seen in the theatrical trailer) taking out several skyscrapers 9/11-style in retaliation for the BR act. The gov't then gets together another class of students (likely controlled in the same way with neck collars, etc) to take the fight to the Wild Seven on their island stronghold. The footage in the trailer looks like Saving Private Ryan with teenagers.

[SpikeFayeJettEdBebop 0]

No offense to anyone of you, but IMO the movie is REALLY bad compared to the book. I am talking about the 607 page novel, not about the newly released Manga. So, I HIGHLY recomend to go read the book, if you already saw the movie, go read it anyway, ti is a MUCH better take on the same tale. Believe me, it is incredible, and you wont be left with any questions after you are finished. Plus, some stuff in the movie isnt evenin the book, and some good stuff in the book was left ut of the movie so PLEASE, I don't know what else to tell you other than buy the fucking book.Sorry for the F but the book blew me away.

IMO-

Book-10/10

Movie-7.5/10

[Guest Ravenbomb]

my only beef with the movie is the ending, which IMO is quite bad.

 

I think the main thing about Nobu's death was you (at least I) thought he'd be one of the main characters. It's like in Psycho or to a lesser extent Scream.

[Guest 5_moves_of_doom]

And the other girl doesn't get "axed", she gets a knife thrown at her head. And I remember her name just fine: Fumiyo Fujiyoshi.

Meh, for some reason I remember it as a tomahawk or something...

 

...Oh well. And what background does the girl have, anyway? Aside from being in the crowd of girls that's at pretty much every school, that is. I really didn't feel anything for her when she died, really.

 

I see your point on Nobu, though. Oh well, different opinions, I guess.

[Guest Crucifixio Jones]

It's like SpikeFayeJettEdBebop said, read the novel and you'll be left with no questions. All characters are fleshed out and explained to the max. To a lesser extent with the manga, but they do a capable job as well. You may not get their backstory right at the time of their death, but you get something on everyone at some time or another, even the smallest of supporting characters.

[Guest CED Ordonez]

I glanced over the first volume of the Battle Royale manga at my local bookstore. Its version of Nobu's death is one disturbing visual. The scene is a bit over the top, but it's still messed up.

[Guest 5_moves_of_doom]

It's like SpikeFayeJettEdBebop said, read the novel and you'll be left with no questions. All characters are fleshed out and explained to the max. To a lesser extent with the manga, but they do a capable job as well. You may not get their backstory right at the time of their death, but you get something on everyone at some time or another, even the smallest of supporting characters.

Probably still no backstory for Kiriyama, I'd assume?

 

I mean, since his whole unknown past is the point, and everything, and his lack-of-backstory feuls his purposeful LACK of sympathy... but if they did include anything extra in the book, I'd still be interested. Kiriyama has to be my fourth favorite character in the movie.

[Guest Crucifixio Jones]

You'd be wrong. Plenty of backstory for Kazou. Unlike the movie, he's always been part of the class in the novel, not a wildcard transfer student that no one knows. The movie changes alot of things, not always for the better depending on your point of view.

 

But just like the movie, Nanahara, Noriko, Kiriyama, Kawada and Mitsuko are considered the main characters so they have more background story than anyone else.

Edited July 2, 2003 by Crucifixio Jones

[Guest 5_moves_of_doom]

You'd be wrong. Plenty of backstory for Kazou. Unlike the movie, he's always been part of the class in the novel, not a wildcard transfer student that no one knows. The movie changes alot of things, not always for the better depending on your point of view.

Fuck, really? I plan on buying the novel eventually, but probably won't until the end of the summer... care to spoil a bit of it for me? I'm really quite interested in any of Kizou's background. I knew he talked a bit in the novel as opposed to his silent self in the movie, but uhm... yeah, any information on him would be greatly appreciated. He intrigues me greatly.

 

But I suppose that, since he's part of the class, he doesn't have that bitchin' black suit anymore...?

[Guest evenflowDDT]

As far as part II goes, the plot is supposed to center around the survivors of part I, Nanahara and Noriko. They've formed a terrorist group called the Wild Seven (anyone who's read the novel would recognize this as Kawada's favorite brand of cigarettes) and are performing terrorist acts all over Japan i.e. (as seen in the theatrical trailer) taking out several skyscrapers 9/11-style in retaliation for the BR act. The gov't then gets together another class of students (likely controlled in the same way with neck collars, etc) to take the fight to the Wild Seven on their island stronghold. The footage in the trailer looks like Saving Private Ryan with teenagers.

Wha? Trailer for Battle Royale II?! Where?

 

And the original novel's been translated into English? Again...where?

 

Oh, a little tidbit about pt. II...the deal with the neck collars this time is the kids work in teams of two. If your partner gets killed, your collar goes off. Whoops.

 

If they want to get rid of the kids so bad why not just go balls to the wall with open mass killings and burials?

[Guest Crucifixio Jones]

Evenflow, I got the trailer off of KaZaA. It was hard as hell to finally find and when I did I think only one other person had it. At any rate, if you ever get on AIM, I can send it to you. But I hardly ever see you on anymore.

[SpikeFayeJettEdBebop 0]

Jones, I wanna see the trailer too! My AIm sn is DisturbedAudio14 and I am on right now.....Ill be on later in the week too. BTW have you read the book also?

[SpikeFayeJettEdBebop 0]

Wild Seven was also Shuya Nanahara's nickname is school.

[Guest 5_moves_of_doom]

I repeat my sentiments about wanting to know about Kiriyama's past.

 

...Heck, my AIM's Oakly777, and I simply DON'T sign off, so if it'd be easier to explain it to me personally with the benefit of me being able to question and comment, then go ahead.

[Guest 5_moves_of_doom]

!!! Battle Royale 2 is released today! It looks a bit bizarre, but when some reviews surface, anyone care to link? Hope it's good, and I plan on seeing it as soon as humanly possible... which might not be for a while.

 

Also, SOMEONE FUCKING FILL ME IN ON KIRIYAMA'S BACKGROUND IN THE BOOK. I NEED to know this.

 

...Hrm... perhaps I should just go ahead and buy the novel... but someone care to fill me in anyway?

[rising up out of the back seat-nuh 0]

Hmmmm. The battle royale 2 trailer doesn't fill me with hope. I take it it isn't based on a book. Oh well, if it can be half decent, without pissing on the legacy of the first one, I'll be more than happy.