LOS ANGELES, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Battle Royale, returning to theaters Sunday for its 25th anniversary, is as vicious a satire as it was upon its release. The film in fact may be even more relevant now, as the social issues it predicted have gotten worse.
Based on the 1999 Koushun Takami novel, Battle Royale depicts a society ravaged by violent youth. In this world, the government passes a law authorizing a "game" that pits 42 high school students against each other in a deathmatch.
The outrageous violence against kids seems clearly satirical. At least, school teacher Kitano (Takeshi Kitano) throwing a knife into a girl's forehead would be satire in the United States.
Perhaps sensibilities were different in Japan, but the satire seems universal as a flamboyant television personality explains the rules to the involuntary competitors. Kitano also takes glee in his demonstration, as he was once stabbed by a student.
All of the competing students are outfitted with an explosive collar. If there is no winner at the end of three days then all of the collars explode, preventing anyone from being a conscientious objector.
