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Review

A first for the Japanese film industry and shot back-to-back, the 20th Century Boys omnibus is one of the most expensive and hugely anticipated events in the country's cinematic history. The premiere installment was a box office smash last year; the sequel, released in January, was greeted with the same record-breaking enthusiasm. The final chapter is primed for a fall release, and we're proud to present a double presentation of this thrilling mix of mystery, sci-fi action and drama with light horror elements. Ever wonder what would happen if your youth came back to haunt you? It's 1969 and a group of young boys and a tomboyish girl pass the time writing stories about the end of the world, naming the collection the "Book of Revelations." Flash forward 30 years and the leader of the pack, Kenji, is now running a convenience store in downtown Tokyo after a failed career as a rock musician. Saddled with his sister's baby after her mysterious disappearance and hen-pecked by his mother, Kenji is resigned to a life of dull complacency and responsibility. Meanwhile, viruses are causing bloody carnage in San Francisco and London. The events are a hot topic at Kenji's school reunion as his former classmates realize the time's uncanny resemblance to the "Book." As Kenji digs deeper into his memories of the book, a cult led by the mysteriously masked "Friend" begins to gain worldwide popularity and the possibility that "Friend" maybe be connected to Kenji’s school years surfaces. As acts of terrorism and tragedy become more frequent, Kenji quickly reunites with his childhood chums as he realizes that the stories from the "Book of Revelations" are coming true and, as written, the world is scheduled to end on December 31, 2000. Revealing any more of the plot for both films will ruin the thrills the 20th Century Boy movies provide. You'll be hooked as talented director Yukihiko Tsutsumi (2LDK) expertly juggles multiple dramatic arcs and various plot twists while introducing wonderfully likeable characters to genre fans around the world.

 -- Lewis Tice