K-20

K-20 is nothing else a GORGEOUS film.  Set in an alternate Japan where WWII did not happen there are vast vistas of a steam punkish Tokyo.  Still there are problems.  The ruling has clamped down on the other classes to keep them in their place.  The ruling class  though is the prey of the Fiend with 20 faces who steals from the rich... and well keeps it.

The opening scene where K-20 steals a proto type device created by Telsa just illustrates how rich and lush this film looks.  By the end of the scene with a flourish like a professional magician K-20 disappears with the device.  I was certainly aching to see more wonderful tricks.

Luckily the plot keeps up with the visual aspect of the film.  A young magician and acrobat is framed by k-20 and is arrested and beaten by the police.  Freed by friendly thieves, our hero must now learn how to be the best thief in the world so he can find and catch K-20.  In his quest he becomes involved with a beautiful noble woman and the detective who is going to marry her and has been chasing K-20 for years.

The action is fast, the plot and dialogue is fun.  The heroine is plucky.  The hero is game.  The villain always seems a step ahead of everyone.  Really what more can you ask?   And I just love the little bits, there's a whole little thing about when you should say thank you, or when the noble lady pulls some improbable skill out of her hat she just says, "Well that's just part of being a noble lady today."  Really this made me smile.  Good old fashion fun from folks who haven't forgotten what that is.