Michael's Movie Grade: A+
Review: Director Hayao Miyazaki's movie debut stands as one of the most fun action films ever made.
There is so much to recommend about this movie. The characters are very engaging. Lupin III may be more noble here than he is in other installments featuring the character, but he is still so fun to watch. He does have his moments where he shows his jerkier side (such as a flashback to him being younger and the opening scene), and he is very funny and a joy to watch in these moments. When he is nobler though he does not fully become a different character and still is full of energy. Even when he is noble there is still a slight side of the master criminal in there. The leading lady is a nice adaption to the Lupin world, and it is easy to see why she brings out a different side of our main character. Beyond just the characters though this movie also brings to life a whole new setting completely made for this movie. This setting is pure Miyazaki-san at his best, and definitely looks forward to such movies as Castle in the Sky and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. The place looks absolutely gorgeous, but it is always at service to the story. This movie also has a lot of great action and humor. The humor is laugh out loud funny as you can easily tell if you see this in a theater with an audience. The action is some of the best I have ever seen animation or live action. The pure excitement in these scenes is completely gripping and hard to resist. There are also a few slower moments too that add greatly to the atmosphere and make the movie all the more fascinating to watch.
For pure fun you simply cannot beat this movie.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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