Richard Leggett on New Media

I loved Battle Royale (and the sequel), very edgy, didn't take itself seriously at all and at times it was pretty clever. If you aren't familiar with it, I thoroughly recommend seeing it. The premise is that school kids have gotten out of control, and to teach them a lesson (mind the pun) and set an example, every year a class of boys and girls are drugged, dumped on an island and told they must kill eachother, only one can survive.

They get a starter pack, containing weapons that include a cross-bow and a frying pan, and some psycho adults fresh from prison are thrown in to make things even more interesting. The film isn't all carnage, there's a little Lord of the Flies thrown in when their teenage morals are explored. As a bonus, every so often certain quadrants are designated as danger zones where your collar (did I mention the exploding collars?) will explode if you set foot, you have a little map to help you out - what, no GPS?

LionsGate studios are re-working this idea, with 10 adults (some big name actors). I'm sure it will be ok as an action film, but it will be interesting to see how they put a Western spin on the classic.

The Condemned - Here's the trailer