Castle of Cagliostro, The

7 reviews - 28.0 total score (Explanation of the rating system)
avg. score: (4.0)

Creator - Monkey Punch
Director - Hayao Miyazaki

7. Q

The Castle of Cagliostro, is a Lupin III movie. I've only seen a bit of Lupin III before this movie...and I probably won't see much more of him after it either.

While The Castle of Cagliostro has received no less than 4 stars from everyone who reviewed this movie before me, I cannot follow suit. I didn't dislike this movie. It was fairly well done for its time, (the age does show, but it's not too distracting). A decent story...decent animation...fairly unique characters...etc. I just couldn't get into this movie.

About 20 minutes into it, I wanted it to hurry up and finish. I didn't find it the least bit stimulating, and I didn't laugh at all. (Not even when Lupin started sounding like Popeye...and I know they didn't do that on purpose).

I've seen worse movies...alot worse...and this movie is not bad per say. I just didn't enjoy it. You might...but I didn't.

Animation - 3 stars - (decent for its time)
Storyline - 3 stars
Overall - 2 stars - I just got bored, and found this movie was the cause.

6. Gyro

When their latest carload of stolen cash turns out to be counterfeit, Lupin III and his sharp shooting sidekick Jingen trace the forgers to the tiny country of Cagliostro, where the Count has imprisoned the beautiful princess Clarisse: the girl who holds the secret to a legendary hidden treasure. With the help of lovely Fujiko and the samurai Goemon, Lupin decides to go after the money, the girl, and the bad guy all at once. Aside from the massed ranks of Interpol a horde of razor-armed Ninja, who could possibly stop him?

So what if it's your basic hero rescues damsel in distress story? It's executed perfectly. The pacing is perfect, with the mood going from action to humorous to romantic and back to action again. With car chases, gunfights, slapstick comedy, you can't loose.

It may be old, but Castle of Cagliostro's animation was very good. The style is simple, yet detailed, and the animation is free from inconsistencies. I was actually impressed.

The only problem that I could think of was that Goemon really didn't do anything through the whole movie. It was like they just put him there because they had to. It's a shame too, because Goemon's a great character. The others, however, are very fleshed out and entertaining.

This is definitely the best Lupin adventure ever. If you've never seen Lupin before, start with this movie, and you'll be hooked for life. It's funny, exciting, and even a little romantic. You owe it to yourself to see Castle of Cagliostro, whether you're a fan of Lupin or not.

5. Yogi

This is the only Lupin I’ve seen, so I’m probably not going to very good with my review. However, the movie itself is very well done. It never really lets itself get too serious, and is mostly Lupin’s antics as he faces the Evil Archduke and Saves the Girl. The animation is extremely good, and the audience has fun trying to guess what trick Lupin will pull out of his sleeve THIS time. I would write more, but I’m really not familiar with Lupin so I’ll shut up now.

4. Jin

Another Lupin III anime but one that you can thoroughly enjoy. Overall the entire package of Cagliostro is well done. While the animation does show its age it doesn't detract too much from the overall quality, unless you prefer your anime to have that high quality look to it of course. The plot, from start to finish, keeps you immersed in the action and almost never let's up. Also Miyazaki gives Lupin a new side and new look in this anime. A caring side and a new blazer. While the animation suffers from being somewhat old, this is a classic anime for any anime fan to watch.

3. Tempy

The Castle of Cagliostro is another entry in the long series of Lupin III features, this time written and directed by legendary Hayao Miyazaki (Princess Mononoke, Nausicaa). Along with partners Jigen, Goemon and Fujiko, master thief Lupin III sets off on an adventure in the tiny duchy of Cagliostro, to unmask a counterfeiting ring, unveil the secret of Cagliostro, and to save lovely Clarisse from the clutches of the evil regent, while being pursued by Inspector Zenigata. There are plenty of enjoyable and energetic action sequences, lots of charm, and the 70s action movie music fits the show well. Perhaps not as flashy or outrageously funny as some more recent offerings, but CoC has withstood time well.

2. bremmi

After having seen some other Lupin III movies, I was expecting to hate Castle of Cagliostro with a passion. But as a Miyazaki fan, I should have known better. CoC is a fantastic movie in which Lupin and Jigen attempt to free Lady Clarisse from having to marry the Count of Cagliostro. Miyazaki manages to make Lupin softer and, to me, more likable than normal, while at the same time retaining all of his coolness. There is also quite a bit of humor to keep everyone entertained. If you see one Lupin III movie, this should be it.

1. moskun

Castle of Cagliostro is *the* classic anime film. Hayao Miyazaki, who wrote the film, gave the sometimes gritty Lupin III a caring personality, and it worked! I was hooked in the first five minutes. Dozens, and maybe hundreds of anime series and movies owe something to Castle of Cagliostro. And you owe it to yourself to see this film.