Is this that thing on Netflix with Omar Sy? No … and yes. They share the same root. Arsène Lupin is a fictional gentlemen thief of French origin. Arsène Lupin III is his grandson, a chip off a chip off the ol’ cell block.
That is more explanation than you’ll get in Lupin III: The First. This franchise most decidedly assumed that if you’re here, you’re family. You won’t care about explanations or titles or bad dubbing … or the fact that sometimes the titular hero is a bit of a creep. You will simply be enthralled that Lupin III, the Japanese manga version of the classic French fable, has another tale to tell.
And you also probably won’t care that this film feels a lot like The Da Vinci Code.
So … hmmm … lemme see if I can exposition succinctly. I GOT IT! (*snaps fingers*): Nazis, MacGuffin.
We good? I suppose for the sake of full disclosure there was also a baby. But now it’s nearly twenty years later and Lupin III is out to steal the MacGuffin … in a museum … guarded by cops … whom have all been taunted by Lupin III. It takes a bit of nerve to tell the cops what crimes you’re going to commit and then commit them anyway in public view. Normally, one has to be named “Trump” to get away with such garbage.
The MacGuffin does get stolen at this time, but not by Lupin, Lupin makes a daring escape and an even more daring rescue and eventually gets caught and then rescued himself by … (checks notes) two mobsters; one of whom seems to be a samurai. Sure. Why not?
And the MacGuffin? It’s a puzzle; like that Da Vinci Code thing. Follow the clues to super power
… or get destroyed in the process; that’s how Da Vinci MacGuffins work.
Lupin III: The First has a quizzical title; don’t let that spoil the nonstop action as Lupin, Lupin’s crew and the baby-now-grown-up all take to planes, trains, and automobiles to conquer neo-Nazis. You know what the most disheartening part of this film was? It was, dare I say, poorly acted. Well, there’s something you don’t say about an animated film often, huh? For whatever reason – a bad translation, a misplaced voice actor, poor dubbing, I dunno, but often the expressions and sounds from the actors didn’t quite match what was going on in the film. Does it matter? A little. As the film is animated; I’m giving it a pass. Is it acceptable for your children? Hmmmm. Well, films aimed at toddlers don’t usually have Nazis or deaths, of which this film has both; still I think it’s acceptable for older children.
Tis the story of a gentlemen thief
With touches of comic relief
My great hesitation?
Emotive indication
Is that laughter when he meant to show grief?
Not Rated, 93 Minutes
Director: Takashi Yamazaki
Writer: Takashi Yamazaki
Genre: What did Japan do NOW?
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: People who can roll with the silly
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: “I don’t understand the title”
