NEWS: DVD Release: K-20: The Legend Of The Black Mask

Riffing on period crime fighter movies such as The Shadow, The Rocketeer and The Phantom, while giving more than a passing nod to contemporary superhero movies such as Batman Begins and Spider-Man, the special effects laden action extravaganza K-20: The Legend Of The Black Mask is a delicious slice of pure escapist entertainment for all the family.

Adapted by writer-director Shimako Sato (Tale Of A Vampire) from a novel by So Kitamura, the film stars Takeshi Kaneshiro (Red Cliff; The Warlords; House Of Flying Daggers), Takako Matsu (Confessions) and Toru Nakamura (Tokyo Raiders; Gen-X Cops) in a thrilling tale of an unlikely ‘superhero’ who is forced to pit his wits against the titular villain who has his sights set on world domination.

The year is 1949 in a slightly alternative reality to the one we know. In this version of history, World War II never happened, Teito is the Imperial Capital of Japan, inventor Nikola Tesla has just won a Nobel Prize, and Japanese society is divided between the extremely rich and the hopelessly poor.

Taking advantage of the situation is a mysterious thief and master of disguise known as K-20 – the Fiend with 20 Faces, a self-styled Robin Hood figure who steals from the rich and gives only to himself.

Having set his sights on a newly developed energy beam generator that could make him the ruler of the world, K-20 sets about achieving his deadly goal by framing a poor circus performer, Hekichi Endo (Takeshi Kaneshiro), for his previous crimes using the rehearsal of the high society marriage between heiress Yoko Hashiba (Takako Matsu) and Chief of Police, Kogoro Akechi (Toru Nakamura) as a backdrop.

Endo is arrested at the scene of the rehearsal and sentenced to death but manages to escape. On the run, Endo realizes the only way to prove his innocence and clear his name is to assume the identity of K-20 and take on the villain at his own game by finding and obtaining the energy generator first.

A cool, light-hearted caper packed with exceptional stunt work, thrilling set pieces and impressive action sequences (including some amazing free running), K-20: The Legend Of The Black Mask is a thoroughly enjoyable and uniquely Japanese take on the superhero movie.

Film: K-20: The Legend Of The Black Mask
Release date: 10th January 2011
Certificate: 12
Running time: 137 mins
Director: Shimako Sato
Starring: Takeshi Kaneshiro, Takako Matsu, Tôru Nakamura, Kanata Hongô, Yuki Imai
Genre: Action/Adventure/Crime/Drama
Studio: Manga
Format: DVD & Blu-ray
Country: Japan