Chapter One UK DVD Synopsis: Based on the award winning, best selling Japanese manga series, from Naoki Urasawa – the creator of “Monster”. 20th Century Boys – Chapter 1: Beginning of the End is an epic and stunning live action adaptation which follows Kenji and friends as they race against time to stop a mysterious new cult led by 'Friend'. A series of catastrophic events appear directly linked to prophecies made by the group when they were children, prophecies that climax in an enormous, terrifying robot attack on the entire city. Friendship is tested in a world gripped by hysteria, assassination and acts of terror committed on a massive scale. (142 Mins)

 

Chapter Two Chinese DVD Synopsis: In 2015, fifteen years have passed since the “Bloody New Years Eve” incident. Now everyone believes that the pair of giant robots to destroy mankind is planned by evil terrorists and wise men. The mysterious man “Friend” is regarded as a good boy by countless people. “Friend” prophesied , “Soon mankind will face a catastrophe. Only those who believe in me can be raised by my niece Shenno. Shenno has grown into a smart and lively high school student. She knows that it is actually her uncle and his team who rescued her.” Facing the crisis of mankind, the school boy was hunteddown because he witnessed the killings of the Friends Party. Kanna helped him hide his whereabouts. The young policeman Dieye was moved and also helped because the country was in danger. (140 Mins)

 

Chapter Three HK DVD Synopsis: It is the Third year of Friend, or 2017 on the old calendar. The world is governed by Friend. The virus-plagued Tokyo is now isolated from the rest of the world with towering walls and oppressive surveillance. Kanna left Yoshitsune to form a more militant group in preparation for an armed revolt. She is determined to go ahead with her radical activities despite the concerns of her surrogate mother, Yukiji. Maruo now works incognito as manager to national superstar singer Namio Haru. He finds Kiriko. On the outside of the wall dividing Tokyo from the world, a man tries to break down the maximum security border patrol station. He has a guitar with him. He calls himself Joe Yabuki.Is Kenji alive? What is Friend's last scheme for August 20? What is Friend's true identity? (157 Mins)

 

Views: As I write, I've not yet had the pleasure of reading the original and extremely popular Manga of the same name and, as with many other live-action adaptations, can understand if film adaptations have to leave out or change material to make things work. While I can't don't know if this series changed much to make it work for them, I do know is that it is hugely entertaining and a fantastic piece of sci-fi cinema!

 

In a nutshell, the 20th Century Boys Trilogy tells the tale of Kenji Endo and his old schoolmates who come together to save the world, after they realise that mysterious cult-leader known only as “Friend” bears an icon that resembles a symbol they created during their childhood. As the threat of the cult leader grows even more concerning, Kenji remembers back to his school-days when they all wrote the Book of Prophecies – an imaginative adventure book that talks about the end of the world at the turn of the millennium, caused by terrorist attacks, plagues, and giant robots – a number of terrifying situations that are now all too real under the rule of “Friend”. Together, the aged schoolmates try to figure out who “Friend” really is and, over the course of many years, do what they can to bring an end to his reign of terror.

 

Taking its title from the popular 1973 hit by T.Rex which is played throughout, the 20th Century Boys Trilogy is a fantastically made and engaging film series that provides plenty of comic book action, tense moments, subtle tones of humour, and plenty of emotion, all wrapped in a beautifully delivered and massive sci-fi tale. In fact, the films are so big on characters and story, you can forgive any slip ups that the films may have in trying to pack in as much as possible for the sake of entertainment – and entertain it most certainly does! In Chapter One, the first hour introduces most of the characters via childhood flashbacks and reunions offering up some great dramatic moments and plenty of funny scenes. The shots capture the super cute and hilarious kids in true comic book style with some great framing that reminds us all of the innocence of childhood. The man responsible is cinematographer Satoru Karasawa who would go onto lens all three films, as well as others such as the live-action adaptation of Tokyo Ghoul, Hayabusa, The Big Bee and more...

 

Chapter Two, known as the The Last Hope, continues the story which is set many years down the line with Kenji's niece, Kanna, now a teenager and kicking the ass of anyone that stands in her way! This is very much her story, with the main focus being the infiltration of the Friends Society and reconnecting with her uncles schoolmates on her journey. But, of course, it just isn't as simple as it sounds with more twists and mystery coming to light revealing a much darker film than its predecessor with plenty more action, time travel and revelations. It's worth noting that both chapter one and two were shot simultaneously, which I'm sure proved to make for a complicated shoot all round. Regardless, it still proves to be just as exciting and a gripping middle chapter that leads to the tense conclusion that is Chapter Three: Redemption. The closing chapter of this fantastic sci-fi action trilogy reveals many twists and secrets that help bring the story to a close. With the mighty Otcho carrying a great deal of the story as he finally catches up with Kanna (now known as the Ice Queen), plans to infiltrate the enemy are revealed and put into action! With the revelation of the New Book of Prophecies in Chapter 2, we now learn that a repeat attack much like that on Bloody New Years Eve is coming - only much worse. Honestly, I really don't want to indulge too much as to what goes on here. There are so many twists and turns from Chapter One right through that it makes for much more compelling viewing when you don't know what is coming – But it is far from disappointing!

 

The films are wonderfully directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi, the same man behind films such as the fun 2LDK, Memories Of Tomorrow, manga adaptation Beck, The Big Bee, and Sanada 10 Braves among many others. He pulls together a wonderful cast of stars for the projects including the fantastic Toshiaki Karasawa from the equally impressive sci-fi action epic, Casshern. As Kenji Endo, Karasawa does a brilliant job as the central protagonist with a love for rock 'n roll and a laid-back attitude. His team of adult co-stars all deliver equally good performances, brought to life by actors such as Etsushi Toyokawa, Takako Tokiwa, Airi Taira, Teruyuki Kagawa, Takashi Ukaji, and Hiroyuki Miyasako to name but a few. As a film full of mystery, twists and turns – I don't want to be giving too much away, and if you haven't read any of the Manga or caught any trailers then this first film of the series will be even more of a surprise for you.

 

I love the 20th Century Boys Trilogy! The cast are fantastic and to be honest, I can't really think of a thing to complain about. It's intense, it's funny, its big and it's well worth a watch if you are looking something a little different. Just be warned, if you plan to get stuck into all three in the one evening, you'll have over 630 minutes to get through – but it'll absolutely be worth it!

 

Overall: A fantastic, well made, and exciting trilogy, 20th Century Boys doesn't disappoint and highly entertains on many levels!

 

Chapter One DVD Extras: 24 page book, Japan Premiere documentary, Paris Premiere documentary, Cast interviews, Trailers

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Chapter Two DVD Extras: Bonus Video-Chapter 2 Last Hope, Trailers

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Chapter Three DVD Extras: Trailer