20th Century Boys - DVD review

20th Century Boys is a trilogy of Japanese films based on a manga by Naoki Urasawa. The films and the original comic books are ambitious in scope.

The story revolves around a group of friends who make up stories about a disaster in the future where they will become heroes and save the world. Twentty-five years later, a mysterious cult leader called friend appears and begins to bring their childhood fantasies to life.

The plot involves many aspects of Japanese youth culture and social history including giant robots, suicide cults, biological weapons, manga and rock music. The T-Rex song 20th Century Boy features prominently in the film. It reminded me of a lot of Steven King fiction. The original Manga has been described as Japan's answer to Watchmen and if the complexity of the films allegedly simplified plot is a marker this may be true.

The 3 films are long and you have to concentrate to follow the story. The plot is full fo red-herrings and some minor holes. I enjoyed the trilogy but it may not be for everyone. Interesting for nerds with patience.