Sound:
Universe Laser has supplied two Surround Sound mixes on this DVD, a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound mix and a DTS 5.1 Surround Sound mix, both of which are in their native Japanese language. It doesn't matter which of the two mixes you choose, either one sounds just great. Both tracks are very aggressive and really pump up the action scenes. Gunfire zips around your head from all angles during the firefights, and when explosions go off your subwoofer gets hit hard, providing a nice rumble to the lower end of the sound effects. Dialogue is nice and clear and the score, one of the best parts of the film, rises up over top of the chaos and noise with some very nice clarity. Directional effects are plentiful and accurate, and even vocal positioning seems pretty much dead on in this mix.

There are optional subtitles available in traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, and English. I can't testify as to the accuracy of the Chinese subtitles but the English ones are, thankfully, almost completely free of typos (a rarity for a Hong Kong release) and are quite easy to read and follow.

Extras:
In this two disc set, Universe wisely puts all of the extra features on the second discs, allowing more room for the feature on the first and theoretically reducing compression issues in the process. Here's what you'll find on the second disc, in the order in which it is laid out off of the main menu:

First up on the list are two biographies – one a piece for director Kinji Fukasaku and actor 'Beat' Takashi Kitano. There text based features are available in either Chinese or English language versions and while long time fans of either man won't likely find anything new in here, they do provide a decent general overview of their work and their careers.

Next up is the trailer for Battle Royale II: Requiem. It is presented with out subtitles of any kind and is in its native Japanese language. The trailer is presented in non anamorphic widescreen and makes the film look a lot more exciting than it really is.

BR II: Behind The Scenes is a 7:52 long look at the making of the film and how it all went down behind the camera. Optional English and Chinese subtitles make this one easy to follow and we get to see the late Kinji Fukasaku working with some of the young actors cast in major roles in the film, and then later we get to see his son, Kenta Fukasaku, take up where he left off after his passing, handling directorial chores on the later parts of production.

BR II: Making Of runs for seven minutes and seven seconds and has absolutely no footage of or relation to the making of the film at all. Why this piece, which is nothing more than clips from the film edited together, was called 'making of' is beyond me, but hey, there you go. This plays more like a lengthy trailer or promotional reel. There are English and Chinese subtitles available for this segment as well.

BR II: The Gala And The Orchestra is the longest of the extra features clocking in at four seconds shy of eighteen minutes in length, and it's also the most interesting. This piece is more or less split into two chunks – the first is some nice footage of the orchestra performing and recording the instrumental score used throughout the film. The second is an on stage question and answer session with Riki Taekuchi, Kenta Fukasaku, and three of the younger actors from the film. Takashi Kitano is not present unfortunately and sadly, by this point in time, Kinji had passed on (there is a big poster sized picture of the late director hanging in the background during this press conference). The cast and crew discuss their involvement in the film, how it was to work together, and their relationships with the late Fukasaku Sr.. Again, there are English and Chinese subtitles available for this feature.

Finishing off the extra features are trailers for the original Battle Royale as well as for Ghost System, and a very small image gallery consisting of nine screen shots from the movie.

Final Thoughts:
...Universe Laser's DVD looks pretty good, sound terrific, and does contain some decent extra features (thankfully most of which are subbed in English) but that isn't enough to earn this DVD more than a 'skip it' rating.