I did mean for my first post here to be an introduction to myself and what I will be doing here but.... then i found out something horrible.
They might be remaking Battle Royale in Hollywood.
Battle Royale is probably my favourite Japanese live- action film (just before Death Note) and I can't help but be frustrated and annoyed by this.
Then I found out that Zac Efron might be in it.
Zac.... Efron.... Why? Granted I haven't actually watched any of his films but I know of him and, to be honest, he just doesn't suit this type of film.
For the people out there who don't know of BR, here's a quick summary of it's history.
It started out as a novel by Koushun Takami and was published in 1999. Then it was translated into a film by Kinji Fukasaku and later a Manga by Masayuki Taguchi. It chronicles the events of Shiroiwa Junior High School, Third Year, Class B after they have been transported onto an abandoned island where they must fight to the death.
Wait, got ahead of myself there, Wind it back. Okay, In an alternate timeline Japan is basically a fascist state known as the Republic of Greater East Asia. When the younger population gets out of hand the Government passes a new law. Known as the 'Battle Royale Act'. Wherein once a year a class is chosen by impartial lottery to compete in a death match until only one survives. (I know it doesn't make much sense but it's still awesome godammit!)
On the way to a class trip Shiroiwa Junior High School, Third Year, Class B are sleep gassed and wake up in a school building on the island of Okishima. They are then told what is expected of them and the rules of BR, they are also told about the fashionable collars they are all sporting now which monitor heartbeat, location, voice..... and can explode, ripping your throat out if you try to escape or enter a 'Danger Zone'. It then basically follows the events of the next three days in the (short) lives of the 42 students.
There is no way I can possibly state how much I love every incarnation of this series but I strongly recommend all of you go out, buy the book, films (yes, even BR2: Requiem) and the comics. They all tell the story in unique and interesting ways.
Now, the reasons this film should not be remade in Hollywood.
1) The existing film was already great (I won't say perfect but great)
2) It's not even that old! (It was released originally in 2000)
3) Zac Efron DOES NOT SUIT THIS FILM! It's not anything personal against him but he won't fit into the type of storytelling this film uses.
4) Fans will not accept it. Honestly, I do have a tendency to "fanboy out" on this series but us die hard fans won't accept it being remade into big- budget Hollywood schlock!
Introductions next week but until then I leave you this this saying, courtesy of my friend Steven.
"If you give a man fire, he'll be warm for a night. But if you set a man on fire, he'll be warm for the rest of his life"
See you soon.....
