20th Century Boys review

Japanese comic book arrives on screen

Why you can trust GamesRadar+ Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.

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

The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine.