Audience reviews
20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
GOODBOYMODZZ
I'm finally starting to watch Miyazaki's movies, and I thought I might as well watch them in release order, and wow, what fucking amazing directorial debut. I know nothing about Lupin III, but this acts as a great introduction to the franchise even with it being the second movie, since it's completely self contained. He's an extremely likable main character. I love his lovable thief personality, and the way that he infiltrates the castle and gets out of predicaments is a blast to watch. I also really loved his dynamic with Zenigata. It's like a more lighthearted version of Batman and Joker, and it was fun to see them team up for a bit. I also like Fujiko, who just happens to also be doing spy shit at this same castle. The story is told in a perfect way to put all of these characters in the…
Read at the sourceSonicfan__
That was actually amazing.
For a directorial debut, this was incredible. It has all the things that make me really enjoy Miyazaki.
The writing was phenomenal and the chemistry between Lupin and Clarisse felt really genuine thanks to the incredible voice acting. The story gets you hooked right at the start in a record minute and a half because you want to know where those Gothic bills came from. The music was also really cool with all the synths and everything. The action set pieces were just stunning to watch and keeps you on your toes.
I might need to watch the rest of the Lupin The Third films because I might enjoy them as well.
8.9/10
Read at the sourceOlorin666
A classic story about the rescue of a princess, but the legendary Arsène Lupin the Third is at the center of the plot. The movie combines a lot of different things, and it has a perfect balance. It will be interesting for both children and adults. The film has a very unique atmosphere, it feels like a dark fantasy, and at the same time like a classic fairy tale, and like an adventurous adventure. Chases, shootouts, ancient castles and mysteries, airplanes, cars, knights, policemen and samurai. Everything is mixed up, but everything is harmoniously in its place. Such a well-known story, and at the same time original. And just a magical masterpiece drawing. A true classic that you want to come back to.
Read at the sourceDrMechano
My favorite movie of all time, bar none.
Castle of Cagliostro wasn't what introduced me to Lupin (that would be the Part 2 TV series), but it is - in my opinion - Lupin III in its purest form: an exciting treasure hunt, thrilling action scenes, a girl whose life Lupin changes, a scheming mastermind villain, and even a team-up with longtime rival Zenigata. All of these elements come together masterfully for Lupin's greatest caper in his entire criminal career.
The animation is gorgeous; no surprise, with Hayao Miyazaki at the helm. The entire movie looks like a beautiful painting come to life, with both the backgrounds and characters positively popping in every single shot. No expense was spared from making Castle of Cagliostro look as magnificent as possible.
The story is good, if a bit…
Read at the sourceDigitalChaos
Castle of Cagliostro is not the most revolutionary movie ever made, really it is quite formulaic, the classic "hero must save the princess from the evil prince" with some heist theme touches to make it a bit more unique. You might be wondering that if this movie is not that unique it shouldn't be a 10/10, but Cagliostro has a trick up it's sleeve.
It takes that basic formula and just does it in the most perfect, polished and flawless way it could ever be made, it's perfect in the sense that it is the basic adventure movie plot done the best way it could be.
Story
You probably watched a movie with a very similar plot, but it realizes it in such a pristine way that you couldn't care less
Art
Cagliostro, like most Miyazaki works, is an incredible treat to the eyes. The animation is incred…
Read at the sourceNunes_
It is to this day my favorite animated movie ever. For me it has everything that an Action/Adventure movie should have and done to perfection — from its choreography, like the clock tower scene, to the introduction of characters that for me, when I first saw the movie made me fall in love with the franchise.
I first saw this when I was 14, and even 6 years later this movie gets a smile off me. It’s a good introduction to the modern Lupin series (Excluding some more adult versions like “Chikemuri no Ishikawa Goemon”) and I would recommend this one for everybody likes animation/cartoon or would just like to have a good time.
Some bullet points that I'd like to complement my review with:
Story: Fast-paced and easy to follow. There’s not much more else to talk about to be honest. In my opin…
Read at the sourceXOArama
Having just finished watching my first Lupin series, Lupin the Third Part 4, I was intrigued to watch more. Coincidentally, I discovered that one of my favorite directors, Hayao Miyazaki, directed his first feature film as a Lupin movie. I instantly had to check it out, and I was not disappointed. It has a different feel from the series I had watched, and rightfully so, as it was released over three decades apart. Yet, it still retains all the DNA of Lupin. Miyazaki gives this movie a much calmer demeanor, with some scenes feeling as if they're out of a fairy tale. The animation in this, while definitely showing its age, is still altogether beautiful, with lots of movement and the stunning backgrounds that would come to be a staple of Miyazaki films. Towards the end, the action ramps up si…
Read at the sourceKiidCathedrale
As a prelude, Lupin and his accomplice pull off a high-speed robbery, involving steering wheels, tricked-out cars and wet-ink banknotes. Then, as he drowns under an ocean of cash, the gentleman thief has an idea: return to one of his most bitter failures: Cagliostro's Castle. The melancholy, jazzy opening credits are reminiscent of the passage of time, and with our arms full of our youth and our backs propped up on the back seat, we're off on our adventure.
The sight of the delicate princess imprisoned transforms the thief into a mischievous knight, guided by romantic impulses; Miyazaki finely sketches the budding love of this unlikely couple. From their glances and caresses, a balance emerges that is devoted with all its soul to their just cause.
The fast pace of the film never detract…
Read at the sourcefortuneye
[THIS WAS WRITTEN RIGHT AFTER WATCHING IT AND ON MY SOCIAL MEDIA ACC. KEEPING THIS HERE FOR AN ARCHIVE]
Finished cagliostro and it’s just as great as I remember. This film is absolutely beautiful every single scene looks gorgeous, the bg designers put their whole pussy in these sweeping environmental shots it’s astounding. It feels like there’s nothing bad I can say about cagliostro apart from maybe the contents of the plot itself being a bit on the unoriginal side but like this is the kinda movie u don’t watch for the plot so that wasn’t really an issue at all. One thing I I will say is that it obviously feels more like a miyazaki movie than a lupin movie, like the characters were there and mostly acted like themselves but so much emphasis was put on Clarisse and the count that the cast f…
Read at the sourceKitzo
I may have watched this as a child, but that was long ago, so I can basically say this is my first time watching any Lupin III film.
Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro is an amazing film. Picturesque scenery that rivals the visuals of early Ghibli films, with fluid, creative action sequences serve to give this film heart and soul. Not to mention it has Japan's frequent portrayal of a classical. romantic, almost steampunk style of western imagery that blends in seamlessly which I love, but the characters steal the show. Not many films today have this many bright and moderately interesting personalities (with their own motives) that come together so well. Lupin's unpredictability and mastery at deception, to get him out of seemingly impossible situations, would make this movie a nice watch…
Read at the sourceKempokid21
A very stylish, playful film that is just a whole lot of fun more than anything else. It's a heist movie that never feels fully comfortable with taking things in a wholly conventional direction, there's always this sense of needing to just do that bit extra to ensure that every scene is its own memorable, spectacular setpiece, and it leads to an adventure that never really has any moments that feel like a lull at all. Fantastically paced as more of this expansive castle with so many funny, cartoonish quirks and traps scattered about everywhere is revealed, whether it's statues that open up huge trapdoors, or walls that fold open to make for little extra balconies, it's always wonderful just seeing what's coming up next. I also feel like the film does a pretty good job at establishing a lot…
Read at the sourceMonMonogatari
Fun. That's what this movie is. It isn't a romantic journey like Howls' moving castle or an adventure
quite like Laputa, but somehow it hits an enjoyment that other anime movies I've watched can't.
Story - 9/10
I love a good heist story! Nothing complex, but there was nice mystery, exploration and I personally loved how it was tied into the bloodlines of Clarrese and the Duke.
Art - 8/10
It's definitely a bit dated. But I can't help but love how charming the old animation is - and there are actually some incredible sequences such as the car chase that I'd argue hold up today. How many chases have there been as good as Lupin III'rds?
Sound - 9/10
A very fitting, charming, exciting soundtrack. It's unique and jazzy.
Characters - 10/10
Characters is Lupin's greatest strength. The cast ha…
Read at the sourceHopeainen
Charming, interesting, colorful, beautiful with a hint of mystery that keeps you in its grasp for the entire duration of the movie. Characters are fun, art style gorgeous, music fits, story almost realistic, absolute pleasure to watch. There is nothing to complain. Animation makes you smile and it is one of the reason why this is so enjoyable. It is almost a "shame" to call it just an anime. This is a proper movie with good story where animation just happens to be the platform where it is delivered.
I'm sure you can find something to nitpick but small mistakes makes art.
Watch it, stop reading reviews and accidentally spoil yourself.
Read at the sourceNextUniverse
(TLDR below, as usual, thanks for reading in advance)
I should note that I've never actually watched the main Lupin III series because I haven't, so I don't intend to make this review long. The reason I am writing this in the first place is that I kinda wanted to anyway.
In any case, Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro was a good movie. The story was well-executed, although I wouldn't call it the most interesting. It did give me the thought, however, that the execution did play on well in the classic cartoon direction. You know you have like Looney Tunes and the likes, and how they play as a cartoon: a few slapstick mishaps, the magnified atmosphere with music, the cliches. All of that can be found here, and of course, presented in a masterful way. No reason to dislike what was brought forwa…
Read at the sourcetater_
Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro is a fantastic debut feature. I was aware that this was Miyazaki’s debut while watching the film, but by the end I struggled to believe it. His magic touch is all over this film; from the bright, saturated visuals, the magical world and moments of pure fantastical madness that could’ve only come from Miyazaki’s mind. It’s hard to accept that this is a debut, but after remembering that the man who made this went on to make his fair share of masterpieces it all begins to make sense.
The story is an interesting one. The idea of having some not quite good, not quite bad, not quite anti-hero guys go on a quest to save a damsel in distress is fairly overplayed, well maybe not with such a specific character type but my point still stands. However, it's t…
Read at the sourceTeacherGhost
Often times I find myself wondering what the heart of lupin the 3rd is; what is the crux, the soul, the spirit of such a perennial franchise? Amidst prolonged rumination no such answer reveals itself, to me lupin is simply too intimate a franchise, as if he refuses to be reduced to a few mere words or thoughts. The man in question refuses to be tied down to a simple description, a simple thrill, or a single woman, there’s no doubt that this franchise can slip through any attempt at description composed of constituent words and sentences and phrases. To bridge what is infinitely apart, to catch a witty gentlemen thief and his entourage? There’s just no easy way out.
But as an attempt to decompose what makes lupin so great, one naturally gravitates towards the reusable formula of cast and…
Read at the sourceLumiTP
If you want to experience one of the most important films ever made, then give Castle of Cagliostro a try. Though some today may find the pace slow and the length a bit too much, but Castle of Cagliostro is a well made move in all departments.
A story that's easy to follow and enjoyable from start to end. Beautiful cell animation and back drops. A pleasant soundtrack. Iconic characters from Lupin III with Arsenal Lupin III, Daisuke Jigen, Ishikawa Goemon XIII, Fujiko Mine, Inspectior Zenigata, and even the characters introduced here are just as memorable.
The impact and legacy of the film has inspired people from all around the world. It's sited as a possible inspiration for Raiders of the Lost Arc (1981) and The Great Mouse Detective (1986). The film stands out as Hayao Miyazaki's debu…
Read at the sourcevinidood
STORY (8/10) - The story pacing is quite good for the 100 minutes of run time. The feeling reminds me of the classic Indiana Jones movies, for despite the overall light and fun tone, the moments of higher stakes feel serious indeed (despite never fearing for the life of our protagonist, of course).
The presentation is also quite good and makes the movie easy to follow, even for someone who, like myself, had never watched anything else related to Lupin III. As of today's standards, it feels a bit dated, mostly due to the characters original to the animation.
ART (9/10)- Hayao Miyazaki's take on the original, edgier, look of "Lupin III" characters makes them look friendlier and softer, which I believe matches well with the story and it's adventure-ish feeling.
The animation is beautifully…
Read at the sourcetooterp
Lupin the III: Castle of Cagliostro is the Perfect Animated Adventure!
Everything about this anime is perfect, the colors are amazing and well thought out, the scenery is some of the most detailed and beautiful I've ever seen, and the characters are classic and memorable as they should be in an adventure this Iconic.
There are lots of reasons this movie could be considered perfect but the reason I think it's so good is because it perfectly encapsulates the feeling of being a kid and using your imagination to create your own pretend adventure. I could honestly go on and on but i made a video essay going more in detail and I'd really appreciate it if you checked it out.
Either way this movie is a perfect 10 and it's not even up for debate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM6sdHLo9wc
Read at the sourceSuperJohnDoe
Outstanding movie. I went in without knowing anything about Lupin, besides that it was a popular franchise and yet I never felt like I was missing part of the plot.
The whole film reeks of old school and I wouldn't have it any other way. The way the film starts, how it slowly reveals the true mystery of the castle, how The Count is prety much a James Bond villain especially with his castle that is full of traps and his dozens of servants/ bodyguards. It's got action, romance, mystery, suspence, drama and it's all very human despite being quite over the top most of the time. The animators often drew the characters in wacky poses or had them survive near impossible situations, but the film never feels like it has a stick up its ass; instead it never forgets that it's a cartoon, so it's OK i…
Read at the source
