The movie critique portion of this review was written by my colleague Ishmael Hurst.
To determine whether or not Lupin III: The First is for you, one needs only to ask queries of comparison. Do you enjoy Indiana Jones, James Bond, and/or The Pink Panther series? If any or all of those receive a check on your list, read on! Lupin’s got it all: post-World War intrigue, cleverness, charm and wile, and comedic criminal capers in spades.
Lupin III is a manga/anime franchise dating back to the 1960s (wherein the series is set), when writer and artist Kazuhiko Katō, better known under the moniker “Monkey Punch,” was inspired by the much older novels of Maurice Leblanc. Arsène Lupin, the central character in Leblanc’s stories, was an archetypical “gentleman thief,” a friendly swindler who was always one step ahead of the law enforcement that pursued him. Lupin III, framed as the original character’s grandson, is made from the same mould, but painted with garish flair and slapstick style.
Notably, Lupin III: The First is… well, the first entry in the series to be rendered in 3DCG rather than hand-drawn animation. The graphics stunningly blend realistic features with Punch’s cartoonish designs. One can’t help but note the texture of the fabric on Lupin’s jacket as he suavely taunts his pursuers; Goemon’s hair whipping through the air as he perches atop the gang’s iconic yellow Fiat; or the glimmer on Fujiko Mine’s dress as she takes down a goon twice her size. Every piece and particle is crafted with love and untold hours of labor, causing the CGI transition to succeed where other attempts have floundered (I’m looking at you, Berserk).
For a film that serves as a tribute to the original work (the credits dedicate Lupin to Monkey Punch, who passed away in 2019), a treatise on familial inheritance, and a fun beatdown of Nazi bad guys, the plot moves quick without leaving you behind. Fans and newcomers can enjoy this feature on equal footing; Lupin III: The First is a Fiat-driven romp worth taking.
Video Quality
Lupin III: The First comes to Blu-Ray with a dazzling and vibrant 1080p transfer in 2:39:1. The colors present in this transfer are practically leaping off the screen with the wide range of hues permeating the frame. This vividness is where the film truly shines. Black levels are very strong with no hint of compression artifacts or digital anomalies of the sort. The animation style lends itself to nice textures and details, along with very fluid character movements. There is some very minor banding against some harsher gradients, but overall this is a transfer free of major encode issues. This is a stunning Blu-Ray presentation that should more than please fans of the property.
Audio Quality
This release boasts a pair of immersive DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio tracks in the original Japanese and English dub that really pack a punch. While you should listen to your personal preference, we always advocate to listen to the original audio track with subtitles. There is a significant amount of activity in the low-end due to the various action sequences and other kinetic moments. Dialogue comes through clearly without getting overwhelmed by any competing sound effects or score. The music in the film is very effective in stirring up powerful emotions that make the film feel alive. The track engages all of the channels with panning effects and sounds of explosions that really makes you feel like you are in the thick of the action. Shout! Factory and GKIDS have delivered a crackerjack audio presentation that brings this story to life quite nicely.
Special Features
- English Cast Reunited: A 53-minute audio featurette in which the English voice cast have a lively discussion about returning to their roles, their experiences with the series, finding their voice for the characters and much more. This is like eavesdropping on old friends over a dinner party. So many fun anecdotes and stories from a very relaxed bunch.
- CG Model Gallery: A 13-minute piece that offers a closer look at certain aspects of the film such as props, vehicles, background art and more.
- Animation Breakdown: An 18-minute look at animation storyboards and early animatics for certain sequences that showcase how the process developed to the finished product.
- Yellow Carpet Premiere: A quick minute-long look at the Toho premiere in November 2019 with a few words from the director.
- Trailers and Promo: Nearly 11-minutes of promotional material associated with the film including trailers in English and Japanese.
- Interviews with Director and Japanese Cast: A 34-minute featurette in which director Takashi Yamazaki discusses bringing the character back to the big screen, his history with the series and more. Various members of the cast also show up to discuss their roles, the shift to 3D CGI animation and more. All of these anecdotes are really worthwhile for fans of the series.
Final Thoughts
Lupin III: The First is a bit of an adjustment for longtime fans of the character, but the change in animation style does not lessen the creativity and impact of the storytelling on display. This jam-packed adventure offers up thrilling moments of action with hysterical antics that are essential to the series. Shout! Factory and GKIDS have provided a Blu-Ray with a pretty fantastic A/V presentation and some fun special features for fans. If you have a soft spot for the character or are just looking for a joyous animated adventure, do not hesitate on picking this one up. Recommended
Lupin III: The First is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray + DVD Combo Pack (Steelbook or Standard) and Digital.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Shout! Factory and GKIDS have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
