Kenji (Toshiaki Karasawa) is an ex-pop star working in his family's store when the dark Book Of Prophecies he and his childhood friends dreamt up starts coming true.
Based on a Japanese comic book, 20th Century Boys whisks wacko cults, city-stomping robots and the power of rock'n'roll into a bizarre brew that will delight converts but possibly bewilder the uninitiated.
Director Yukihiko Tsutsumi uncorks punchy magna visuals but also plods through events like he's unsure how to stir the flavours together, leaving most of the mysteries hanging for an already in-the-can sequel.
Matt Mueller
