10. The Hunger Games (2012)
Original: Battle Royale (2000) Whilst many,
many The Hunger Games fans and a certain amount of critics try to either try to disprove or discount the notion that The Hunger Games might,
might, have a similarity or two to the 2000 Japanese film, Battle Royale, it doesnt mean any potential similarities cant be talked about does it? Rip-off or not, its fascinating to compare the two. Being the most recent example on the list means its the freshest to mind and therefore lot more has been said about it recently, and in a lot greater detail than right here. Also bear in mind that although each film is based on a book by the same name, its the films and their similarities that are of concern here. So, where to start? Being the Hunger Games novel was only released in 2008 and the film, directed by Gary Ross, in 2012 it feels possible to be far more specific about the influences on The Hunger Games and what inspired it than it does on Battle Royale, even though it was only 12 years ago, as its relevant now.
Yes Battle Royale is its closest comparison, though evident in The Hunger Games are riffs on reality television and therefore cinematically the ahead of its time The Truman Show and before that Running Man. From a literary stand point the not only recalls The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, but shares a similarity with Battle Royale in heavily recalling William Goldings Lord of the Flies and Orwells 1984. What really stands out in each film is that theyre about survival. In each, though differing in motive, young people are sent into an arena by the powers that be, their elders, where they must compete to live. While survival is the aim of the game in each, riches are promised to the winners of The Hunger Games whereas barefaced survival is all youre in for as a contestant in somewhat bleaker Battle Royale. Though maybe the idea of riches in the faces of survival is thematically bleaker still? Whilst being reluctant to wade into the is The Hunger Games a rip-off of Battle Royale? argument, what is interesting is this. Sure each is about kids being forced to survive, each is aimed at and seemingly popular with a relatively young audience, not dissimilar to those on trial in the respective films. Yes Battle Royale is more chaotic and more graphic, but each is smart, filled with strong characters and treats its audience with the utmost respect, and if that is why theyre regarded as similar then maybe, rip-off or not, being similar is a good thing.