Three years have passed since Shuya survived the deadly “Battle Royale” program. Now branded a terrorist, he has declared war on the “adults”—and possibly the USA—and established a base on a remote island. In response, the adults launch a new Battle Royale. The rules are similar to before, but this time the students are sent to kill Shuya instead of each other.
The original Battle Royale caused a stir and was hailed as a masterpiece upon its 2000 release, so expectations were naturally high for its sequel.
Director Kinji Fukasaku, who helmed the original at age 70, sadly passed away early into production of Battle Royale II. His son, Kenta Fukasaku, stepped in to complete the film. The sequel takes a more epic and contemplative approach, packed with action scenes, though much of the oppressive atmosphere from the first film is lost. The production clearly had a bigger budget, and while the visuals are polished, the content feels uninspired.
But a shiny fork doesn’t make bad food taste better. Despite the sleek presentation, Battle Royale II turns out to be a tedious war drama overloaded with pseudo-philosophy and dull action. The overdramatic dialogue is drenched in preachy political messages that will test most viewers’ patience. Simply put, this sequel is a major disappointment. Everything it does well was already done—far better—in the original.
Unless you’re a completist, it’s best to skip this one. At 133 minutes, it’s a long, forgettable misfire.
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