A Batalha Real

Um filme de assassinato maravilhosamente chocante, cujo absurdo é preciso de aceitar com leveza a sorrir (e em alguns lugares a rir em voz alta). Brilhantemente filmado e editado, os locais fazem lembrar Carne Humana Precisa-se e Ringu ao mesmo tempo. Mas não sou um fã dele. A ideia no valor de um milhão está insuficientemente desenvolvida. A diversão decadente inicial tenta fingir ser algo mais no final, o que só consegue fazer pela metade. *** SEGUE-SE O SPOILER! *** O importante motivo dramático do personagem de Takeshi Kitano que trai todo o sistema e regras do jogo pelo amor de uma das jogadoras quase não funciona, e as ideias finais que resultam dele parecem demasiado artificiais no contexto do espetáculo anterior. (11/08/2005)

If I recall correctly (and can’t guarantee it), Battle Royale is only the second Asian film to get five stars from me (the first one was the Korean melodrama A Moment to Remember). During the first fifteen minutes I could only stare in disbelief at what was happening on the screen – I don’t remember any film ever shocking so much. Incredibly bizarre and insane (the explanation of the rules!), uncompromising and politically incorrect, I almost couldn’t believe what the Japanese had done. Once I got used to that, I let myself be entertained by the film and how many times it casually slips into the B-movie comedy realm. I’m not going to say it’s perfect, it isn’t, there are many places where it grids with the logic and the execution, but I’m extremely satisfied. (04/07/2009)

A killer game with a lot of blood and maybe even a hidden message. You can think of it as a big fling that doesn't make any sense, or you can think of it as a reflection on the causes of violence, on how, in a liminal situation, even the greatest of friends can become mortal enemies. Personally, I would lean towards the former, but it’s certainly worth watching, and I appreciate the originality. (01/07/2003)

Anyone out there want to give this a try in the flesh? If so, February 29, Střelecky Island, it’s a date. If you take some good speakers with you, you’ll be able to play the genius soundtrack. Kitano won't be there, but finding a charismatic bum to play the victim for a box of wine shouldn’t be a big problem. The next opportunity will be February twenty-ninth, the year of our lord 2012. I'm looking forward to it, happy hunting! (10/07/2007)

While I have nothing against Asia, extreme violence, or false psychology, presenting false emotions is inexcusable to me. The idea and the script may be original, but after 20 minutes the film turns into a pointless and unbearably drawn-out bore that cannot even rely on the amazing audiovisual design. The captivating camerawork and the musical accompaniment from the greatest classics, combined with the brutal violence, create a hypnotic synthesis. However, none of the characters grew close to my heart, and I didn't care about any of them. Instead, I found myself watching the clock, aware of the remaining duration of the film. My highly subjective feeling at the end that I had just lost two hours of time in an absolutely incomprehensible way, admittedly made me a little angry. (04/02/2006)