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K-20: The Fiend With Twenty Faces
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Editorial Reviews
Based on the novel by Soh Kitamura, the character of The Fiend with Twenty Faces is known to all of Japan and is the central figure in this thrilling story. The cast includes some of the most recognized names including Takeshi Kaneshiro, an actor consistently cast in the biggest films across Asia, and Takako Matsu, one of Japan’s most sophisticated and respected actresses. The acclaimed writer-director Shimako Sato and the incredible “retro futuristic” visuals make this film an action spectacular not to be missed. It is 1949 in Japan, in a world where World War II never happened and the nobility system established in the Meiji Era is still in place. An extreme divide exists between the upper and lower classes, with 90 percent of the country’s wealth being held by the upper class. The capital of Teito is in crisis with the emergence of a phantom thief known as "The Fiend (Kaijin) with Twenty Faces" or simply "K-20." Heikichi Endo (Takeshi Kaneshiro) is a circus acrobat who is deceived by K-20 and is set up to take the fall for the phantom thief. Using his incredible physical dexterity, Heikichi wages war against K-20 in order to clear his name, fighting alongside K-20's next wealthy target, Duchess Yoko Hashiba (Takako Matsu), and her fiancée, brilliant detective Kogoro Akechi (Toru Nakamura). But what is the ultimate decision Heikichi has to make?
Product details
- MPAA rating : s_medNotRated Unrated (Not Rated)
- Product Dimensions : 7.5 x 5.25 x 0.5 inches; 2.4 Ounces
- Media Format : Multiple Formats, AC-3, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
- Run time : 2 hours and 17 minutes
- Release date : April 20, 2010
- Actors : Kaneshiro, Takeshi, Nakamura, Toru, Matsu, Takako
- Subtitles: : English
- Language : Japanese (Dolby Digital 5.1), Unqualified
- Studio : Viz Pictures, Inc.
- ASIN : B0036BDQ2Y
- Number of discs : 1
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Best Sellers Rank:
#216,322 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
- #6,983 in Anime (Movies & TV)
- #7,171 in Foreign Films (Movies & TV)
- #20,550 in Kids & Family DVDs
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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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.
There is one thing I would like to add to the feedback--and this is speaking as a fan of subtitles over dubs in 99 cases out of 100: It makes me frustrated that there is no version of this film available with a dubbed English soundtrack. Not having an English-dubbed track doesn't really bother me, but it does bother many viewers whose comments I have seen. It is easier to follow the action that way; although for me a film that's poorly dubbed ruins the emotional impact. Nevertheless many people do have problems with subtitles for one reason or another.
This movie is so much fun it deserves to be seen by a wider audience, but viewers' dislike of subtitles seems to be so widespread that I'm afraid many people will pass over "K-20" for that reason. Viz Pictures, which brought it out in the U.S., has published translated Japanese graphic novels (manga) and put out animated (anime) series and movies for years. Now they have begun bringing home some live action movies, like this one. I was surprised, frankly, that they didn't add an English dub to this movie, as they do with their anime.
Viz has yet to put out a BD of this movie. I very much hope they will (it would be great in high definition), but I also hope that when they do, they'll have realized they're missing out--and so are many viewers--because of that surprising stumbling block.
In any case, viewers who normally hate subtitles but love well-acted, well-written superhero or adventure movies, should at least rent this one: "Read a movie", for a change--at least this movie. It's full of action, suspense, and even comedy scenes that don't need explanation to enjoy in any language.
Top reviews from other countries




Was wirklich gut umgesetzt wurde ist die Art der Fortbewegung - extrem Füssig und sehr natürlich. Wenn hier Effekte eingestetzt wurden dann haben sich die Jungs und Mädels wirklich Mühe gegeben.
Die Story ist gut, mit leichtem Anklang an alte KungFu-Filme, aber doch schon sehr "westlich".
Was ich nicht verstehe ist die Altersfreigabe ab 16 Jahren... ab 12 ginge bestimmt auch.
Gut geeignet für einen spannenden Fernsehabend und man kann ihn auch mehrmals anschauen ohne das Langeweile aufkommt.

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