The masterful manga story by famed Naoki Urasawa, the creator of Monster and the epic Pluto, is being brought to the Big Screen and in Live Action. 20th Century Boys, is a highly acclaimed manga that took over 8 years for Urasawa to produce, is now being made into a trilogy and the first of the three installments will be released on December 10th. 

There is cult that has begun to make a move to control the world and a mysterious plague has begun to show up in large cities. There is a strange symbol surrounding this cult that haunts a small shop keeper, Kenji, and his friends from child hood. It appears as though they created a story in their youth that is being used to destroy the world and only they hold the ability to stop it.

Highlights

There is a group of old school friends that have begun to settle into their boring existence, suddenly there is a rash of strange deaths caused by a virus along with the emergence of a cult lead by a man named Friend. Kenji, a shop keeper and one time Rocker, has been saddled with his sister's child after she leaves without a full explanation. Kenji is questioned about a delivery to a house of a family that has disappeared. Kenji knew nothing, but had to go back to the house they lived at. He comes across a symbol that seemed very familiar to him. Shortly after, an old school friend, Donkey, died by falling of a bridge. This death brings back the old gang and they begin to talk and remember their childhood. Kenji draws the symbol for them and they all remember it. It was the symbol they made to use as a flag for their fort when they were very young back in 1969. The memories flood back and they realize that there may be a connection between a "Book of Prophecy" that Kenji and the gang wrote 30 years prior. They then go on the quest to find the book and discover who and what will happen next.

One night a large group of men show up at Kenji's shop and try to abduct his niece. He is able to stop them, but a fire is started and the building burns down. After the fire, Kenji finds the book and the old friends begin to realize that someone is following the story. They are band together and realize that they will be the ones to stop the evil plot. In the meantime Friend and his cult have come to power and seem to be making Kenji and his little group out to be terrorists, forcing them underground. There is also the discovery that Kenji's niece, Kanna, is the chosen one.

The book leads them to a final battle with a robot that is hungry for the destruction of Tokyo. The stage is set for an exciting confrontation.

Overall

20th Century Boys is another great adaptation of a well developed Manga by Viz Pictures. There was a serious group of film makers behind this project of three movies to tell this epic tale that covers the 60 years span of the story. I was very curious on how they would approach this imaginative story. Stretching it out over three movies will allow the film makers the chance to develop it the way it should be. 

I found this to be a delightful beginning and the real strength lies in the characters. I found it very easy to relate to this group of people who have begun to see the insipid existence that has begun to descend upon them. Then the onslaught of childhood memories bring back something lost for this weary cadre. I found myself floating back to days gone by, but was also drawn in by the mystery that was unfolding in front of me. 

For those of you that saw the Death Note live action films and found them to be worthy of praise, then you will be ecstatic about this film. I was a little concerned that a run time of 146 minutes would end up being too long for this part of the tale, but I was surprised to find it seemingly short. There where a few moments that came across as the end of this segment and with great delight the story rolled on toward the battle between Kenji and Friend. 

If you do not like sub title films, then this is not for you. However, if you enjoy or do not mind sub titles, you will find this to be a fine experience. If you are a fan of mystery and adventure, then you will surely find this to be a well spent 146 minutes. I would highly recommend catching this in its limited release in the movie theaters. Watch for the release on December 10th. 

ComicsOnline gives 20th Century Boys, 5 out of 5 Freaky kids in who hide behind trees.