![K-20: The Legend Of The Black Mask [DVD]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/819-Sl56r5L._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
Being a big fan of turn of the century detective novels, I've grown quite fond of Japanese author Edogawa Rampo's stalwart Holmes-inspired hero Kogoro Akechi. Sadly, coming across stories for this character have been few and far between.
So naturally, I was quite intrigued when I learned of this movie, which isn't exactly based on any one Rampo story, but more of a big tribute to both the era, characters themselves and pulp novels in general. With a hint of 'alternate history' to go along with it.
The title comes from Akechi's longest-running adversary, the Fiend With Twenty Faces (or K-20 as he's called at times for shortening's sake) another homage by the prolific writer to Gentleman Thief, Arsene Lupin. A daring thief who can take on seemingly endless roles and identities in his pursuit of pilfered riches.
The movie though takes place in an alternate Japan of 1948-49, in a timeline where World War II never happened. Japan's rigid 'turn-of-the-century' class structure is heavily enforced. Things would be as they 'should', if it wasn't for the cavalier and cunning 'K-20', the brilliant thief who thumbs his nose at authorities and brilliant detective Kogoro Akechi.
But all of this is of no consequence to poor circus acrobat, Endo Heikichi, whose just trying to entertain people with his impressive feats of daring-do and eke out a meager existence. That is, till one day he's contacted by a mysterious old man claiming to be a journalist wanting pictures of the upcoming (and highly publicized) marriage of Kogoro Akechi to rich heiress Yoko. Things aren't as they seem for the hapless Heikichi and he ends up being framed as the notorious thief. After being chewed up a bit by a thoroughly corrupt judicial system, Heikichi manages to escape with the intention of clearing his name.
Many twists and turns in this fun and epic yarn make for a memorable story. The actors do a stellar job with their roles (especially Nakamura Toru as Kogoro Akechi), and the effects are pretty top-notch. It's like a pulp era Batman-esque movie... set in Japan.
I highly recommend this movie.
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