[VIGILANTE: Takeshi Kaneshiro plays crime-busting circus acrobat Heikichi Endo in action-adventure movie K-20.]

BY TAY YEK KEAK

IN THE upcoming action-adventure flick K-20, heart-throb Takeshi Kaneshiro plays Heikichi Endo, a circus acrobat who takes on a master criminal named K-20 (aka the Phantom Thief with 20 Faces).

The Phantom steals priceless stuff from the rich and frames the good guy Endo, who must then fight against the masked enemy to clear his name.

It's kind of like Zorro in reverse, because in order to prove his innocence, the acrobat disguises himself as the Phantom when tracking his enemy down.

Confusing? Never mind. Anyway, whatever the deal is, the main thing is that Kaneshiro is in his element as an enigmatic hero. That's a trademark which we've come to expect and love.

In truth, Kaneshiro himself is sort of a phantom star with many faces. At last count, he has starred in over 40 movies. Here's four of them, along with my paper ratings of how well he did in his roles.

RED CLIFF I AND II (2008 AND 2009)

Character: Legendary Chinese military strategist Zhuge Liang

Purpose: To look old, authorita- tive and come off like a wise Confucius type.

Grading: D. He's too young and comes off more like a heart-throb at an ancient China theme party.

Girlfriend: None. But at the end of Part II, he gets a little pony as a present.

THE WARLORDS (2007)

Character: Bandit leader Jiang Wuyang, sworn brother of two warrior chiefs, played by Jet Li and Andy Lau

Purpose: To play the cuter younger bro who's like a loyal little puppy.

Grading: C. He's out-manned - literally - by Li and Lau.

Girlfriend: None. But he expresses eternal love for both his sworn bros. It makes you want to weep (not!).

PERHAPS LOVE (2005)

Character: Movie star Lin Jiandong, who's making a musical. He's filled with unresolved emotions.

Purpose: To complete a love triangle with Jacky Cheung and femme fatale Zhou Xun.

Grading: B. Can sing, can dance, can act a little.

Girlfriend: Tiny pixie Zhou Xun, who wraps everybody around her little pinky.

HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS (2004)

Character: Imperial soldier Jin of the Tang Dynasty, partner of another soldier played by Andy Lau.

Purpose: To look serious while helping Lau bring down a mysterious rebel group.

Grading: B. Actually looks more gorgeous than the girl (Zhang Ziyi) in Zhang Yimou's super-colourful costumes.

Girlfriend: Another triangle thing. Competes with Lau for Zhang's hot bod. Guess who wins?

Read also:
» Stars separated at birth?
» 'Am I a Takeshi' 4-second test