Very well executed

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Lupin the 3rd was a very popular manga when it appeared in the 1960s. It was so popular that it spawned several anime television series, several animated films and even some live action films. And, it hasn't just been popular in Japan but other countries, such as Italy. In the case of "Lupin 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro", it's a great film not just for Lupin fans but of Studio Ghibli, as it's Hiyao Miyazaki's first movie...which isn't surprising since he animated/directed many of the television shows before this full- length version. As for me, despite their popularity, I have never seen nor read any of the Lupin stories...so you might want to keep this in mind when you read the review. I have seen just about everything from Ghibli...and that is why I watched the movie.One thing I noticed up front is that this film, quality-wise, is nothing like a typical Ghibli movie. It looks like a made for television animated show and lacks the high quality animation you've come to expect after seeing such great films as "My Neighbor Totoro" and "Spirited Away". Anyone who would give this film a score of 10 is, in my opinion, completely ignoring the picture's visual shortcomings...as it really looks cheap. Repetitive backgrounds, garish colors and a lack of depth to the animation...it really looks like a TV anime stretched to full-length. But, you have to start somewhere!Another thing you can't help but notice is that this film is NOT intended for kids...which is true of a lot of anime and manga. With ample cursing, it's obvious this is a more adult movie. This is not necessarily meant as a criticism...but you might want to keep this in mind when you think about showing it to young kids. The language isn't horrible...but it is PG-13.Overall, a mildly entertaining film that may please some Miyazi fans but which bored me and left me marveling at how much better Ghibli became with subsequent films. Only for the curious or insanely devoted fans of Lupin III who, no doubt, will find no fault in this less than inspiring feature. Not terrible but not at all what I was hoping it would be.

The second Lupin III movie is also the directorial debut of the legendary Hayao Miyazaki. Almost all Lupin fans agree that this one is the best in the series and I am no exception. So, the film starts off with Lupin and Jigen robbing an international casino. While celebrating in their car, Lupin makes the discovery that all the money is fake. Determined to seek vengeance, Lupin and Jigen travel to the small country of Caglisotro, which is rumored to be the origin of the counterfeits. There they come across a group of henchmen partaking in a car chase with a beautiful damsel named Clarisse. Though she is captured by the bad guys, she leaves Lupin a signet ring. Lupin later discovers that Clarrisse is a princess and is being forced to marry the evil Count Cagliostro and he it trying to use the ring to uncover an ancient treasure left behind by his ancestors. Now with the help of Fujiko Mine and Goemon Ishikawa XIII, Lupin and Jigen set out to infiltrate the Castle of Cagliostro to save Clarisse, foil the counterfeiting scheme, uncover the treasure, and outwit Inspector Zenigata, who is determined to have them all arrested.The Castle of Cagliostro is an animated masterpiece with breathtaking action and comedy and should be an enjoyable romp for anyone who sees it.

Nice movie, I don't know the reasons why Lupin have to be called Wolf in the US dub, It doesn't have the atmosphere of a Miyazaki movie, but probably because it's not a Ghibli Studio production, I don't know if someone has mentioned before, but this Cagliostro country, resemble too much of Vatican city, small country with their own rules, very powerful through centuries, even count Cagliostro guards look just like Swiss Guards, didn't get much of the final with the roman ruins discovery.. There are other clues in the film, but I have to watch it again. Maybe Miyazaki wanted to tell something or it's just coincidence, Anyway, highly recommended!!

Famed animator Miyazaki directed several episodes of the 1970s Lupin III TV series, such as the brilliantly action-packed Wings of Death: Albtross, one of the series' most thrilling episodes ever. Thus he was a natural to choose to direct this, one of the first Lupin III features. The result combines recognizable Miyazaki elements (spectacular aerial action, a spunky girl princess) with the wild, wacky action familiar to fans of the Lupin III TV series.Impossible stunts, breakneck chases, daring heists - this film has everything. The castle itself is a wonder, filled with labyrinths, machinery, mysteries and secrets. Great fun.