Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

Lupin III: The First Blu-ray Movie Review

Lupin meets CGI.

Lupin III: The First is an action-packed adventure that adapts the beloved character from the original manga series created by Monkey Punch. The theatrically-released feature film stands as the 1^st CGI Lupin production made to date. The iconic cast of characters are back for more fun – and this time around, the fate of the entire world is at stake. Can Lupin save the world?

The story revolves around the mysterious Bresson diary and the mysterious circumstances surrounding it. Given to family members by the late Bresson (alongside a special amulet with magical powers), the high-tech diary (which has many layers of unique protections) is an enormously sought-after treasure. It becomes a must-have sought after by master criminals the world over. Who will find it in the end?

Lupin III (Kan'ichi Kurita), Jigen (Kiyoshi Kobayashi). Goemon (Daisuke Namikawa), and Fujiko (Miyuki Sawashiro) attempt everything in their power to obtain it. With the help of Laetitia (Suzu Hirose), a blossoming archaeology student, Lupin and company are thrust in to a dangerous new adventure that tests their strengths. Can Inspector Zenigata (Koichi Yamadera) stop Lupin?

Trouble ensues as the vile villains, Lambert (Kotaro Yoshida) and Gerald (Tatsuya Fujiwara), seek to use the magic of the lost diary for a nefarious means: the resurrection of the Third Reich, Hitler. The fate of the world hangs perilously in the balance. Lupin must save the world!

Lupin... back for the first-time.

One of the coolest elements of Lupin III: The First is the first-rate action scenes. The storytelling finds the right moments to bring the action to the forefront and push the tempo. The electrifying and intense action scenes showcase a car chase gone awry, aerial flights of fancy, and bombing mad-cap displays. These sequences had me glued to the edge of my seat and made the entire experience a worthwhile one.

The original music score composed by Yuji Ohno (Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro, Lupin the Third: The Series) is one of the best components of the film. The legendary composer for the franchise adds so much distinctiveness and originality to each-and-every scene in the film. Ohno is a constant in each of the Lupin productions. Ohno's music is extraordinary and adds so much to the animation. The action soars and the drama strikes the right tone.

The art direction by Toshiya Umeda (Sonic the Hedgehog) and cinematography by Yosuke Sakai (Resident Evil: Vendetta) contribute to a compelling visual experience. Though the visuals are an entirely different beast in comparison to the traditional cell-based animation that is at the heart of the Lupin franchise, the CG version strikes enough of an interesting tone and style to work. Though it can't truly hold a candle to the original – especially next to the efforts by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke), Lupin III: The First is a compelling argument for why CGI is an interesting creative form. The action scenes are especially noteworthy and make use of the video-game-like stylistic approach.

Written and Directed by Takashi Yamazaki (The Fighter Pilot, Stand by Me Doraemon), Lupin III: The First is a fun diversion that fans of the beloved Lupin franchise won't want to miss. The action scenes were breathtaking, the characters are dynamite, and the script is well-written. The storytelling helps make up for some occasional pitfalls of the modestly-budgeted animation. While not a total slam dunk as a CG production, Lupin III: The First has enough wits and charm to make it worthwhile. Lupin fans won't want to miss it.

Lupin III: The First Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Gkids, Lupin III: The First is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.39:1 widescreen. The presentation is one that satisfies on nearly every level – checking every box, one by one. The colors are robust and engaging. The imagery is crisp, clear, and highly detailed. The actions scenes are fluid and look truly spectacular with first-rate encoding.

This is an outstanding visual extravaganza that is heightened by the CGI art style. The flashy character designs and animated backgrounds are well-presented and are able to convey the tone of the iconic franchise. There are a few brief moments of minor banding that can be a minor annoyance (but nothing too significant). A great transfer of the feature-film.

Lupin III: The First Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 English and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Japanese (with English subtitles). The lossless audio quality is terrific and manages to make a splash. Throughout the presentation, dialogue remained crisp, clear, and easy to understand. The music score is similarly well rendered and brings a sense of life to every action scene. The sound effects are creative and engaging, too. Some of the flight scenes manage to pull one into the story with relative ease. It's hard to imagine anyone finding fault with this top-notch audio encode.

Please Note: Optional English 5.1 descriptive audio is provided. Subtitles are provided in English SDH (for the deaf and hard of hearing), Spanish, and French.

Lupin III: The First Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

English Cast Reunited (HD, 52:57)

CG Model Gallery (HD, 12:39)

Animation Breakdown (HD, 18:11)

Yellow Carpet Premiere (HD, 1:19)

Trailers and Promos (HD, 10:23)

Interviews with Director and Japanese Cast (HD, 33:45)

Lupin III: The First Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Lupin III: The First is an entertaining, action-packed, and worthwhile thrill-ride that excels with stunning adventure. The animation is compelling – even if it pales in comparison to the cell-based anime mastered by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away). The Blu-ray features a top-notch video-audio presentation. Lupin fans should check it out. Recommended.