The Castle of Cagliostro is different to 'conventional' animes in that its direction is similar to that of Western-made movies. It takes pages from Alfred Hitchcock, pages from Looney Tunes (in terms of Lupin's exaggerated abilities like 'swimming' in air) and James Coburn from The Magnificent Seven, specifically Jigen Daisuke's character. No robots, no tournaments, no post-apocalypse here: just a classically made adventure film made in Japan that takes great inspiration from things ranging from Disney to Akira Kurosawa. Oh, and also: film legend Hayao Miyazaki wrote and directed this film!I love this movie. It's like if James Bond got busy with Bugs Bunny; and the result of that love-affair was something resembling Sherlock Holmes and 007 conceived in a cartoon. The Castle of Cagliostro is also a fantastic starting point for viewers to be introduced to Lupin as a character. The cinematography is gorgeous: very scenic and stylish (as is expected from Miyazaki); and the characters are all memorably distinct: detective-burglar Lupin, stoic samurai Goemon Ishikawa XIII, gunslinger Jigen, and cat-burglar, temptress Fujiko Mine, and the ever-persistent police officer, Inspector Zenigata. Also, the supporting cast of Clarisse (the damsel) and the devious Count Cagliostro: who's so devious he barely trusts anyone but his servant Jodo.This film is packed with personality and energy; even some nicely done action sequences like the famous opening car-chase. It's a treat for film-goers and anime fans alike. Despite the animation being outdated in some respects, it's still got lots of nice visuals and that makes it rewarding for the eyes.Lupin III deserves greater attention than he currently has, period.

Here we are, folks: the first full-length movie Hayao Miyazaki ever made.Back then, he was a youngish animator who had paid his dues and made quite a name for himself in the anime industry, but he had not yet begun his ascent into a global icon. He was a name in anime, but he was far from the name to know in anime.This movie... did not much change that. While it was warmly received by fans of the television series, which Miyazaki also had a hand in, the series did not have particularly high ratings or many fans at the time, and the money failed to make a major splash in the Japanese box office. It did, on the other hand, make a major impact on one young Californian working at Disney. His name? John Lasseter.Even nowadays, not enough people know about this movie. Most that have are either fans of the Lupin III animes- the franchise is going stronger than ever today- or fans of Hayao Miyazaki that are interested in his entire oeuvre of work. I am firmly in the latter category.It's a shame that this film isn't more popular, as it's absolutely fantastic. While it's not my favorite Miyazaki movie, it's a fun, epic, adrenaline-filled adventure with classic characters, great music, stunning animation, and some of the best fight scenes that had been animated up to this point.If I had to describe this film, I'd say it's like a PG-13 heist film mixed with a grand, romantic, save-the-princess story, taking the best elements from both genres. It's just a blast. You care about these characters and the situations they're in. It never gets cheesy, both because it fully believes in itself and because there's always some action to balance things out. And it never gets cold or meatheady, both because the action is always personal and fluid and because there are always some mice character moments to balance things out.There is not another Miyazaki movie like this. I could spend the rest of this review listing things that are in this movie but not in any other Miyazaki movies, or I could spend the rest of this review listing things that are in other Miyazaki movies but not in this one. But instead, I'll say that in a lot of ways, this does feel like a Miyazaki movie, through and through. Miyazaki has a very specific way of making films, right down from the character interactions to the pacing. That core style is in full display. If you showed me this movie, didn't tell me who it was by, and then told me it was a Miyazaki film after I was done watching it, I'd say, "Yeah. That's about right." The relationship between Lupin and Lady Clarisse is as wonderful as it is pure. It really makes this movie work. When she's taken away, you really feel her pain, and his pain too. I'd even go so far as to say they have one of the best relationships in any Miyazaki movie. While I can understand why Miyazaki moved away from this type of storytelling and these types of characters and relationships, he is very good at constructing them.Our villain is also very good. It is actually quite difficult to create good 'pure villains', characters that make you go, "I want the hero to take this guy down." instead of "Ugh. Can this guy just jump off a cliff already. He's annoying me.", but this film manages to do it. He is relentless and slimy, and his famous battle with Lupin on the hands of the massive clock tower is a truly great scene.This is not one of those Miyazaki movies that make you feel like you've been transported to a different, better dimension, but it is an utterly fantastic genre flick that will enchant and delight anyone who watches it.

Hayao Miyazaki directed this marvelous mix of action, fantasy, adventure, and comedy. He takes on so many genres, the plot is damn near winded from how much ground it covers. The genesis of the plot is a supposed hidden treasure and this villainous count who wants it all for himself. A princess is his potential key to finding the treasure. But the count's got problems when a couple of burglars and their samurai friend impede upon his plans; that, and a police Interpol inspector (and his officers) who not only wants to prove that the count is crooked but find the master burglars who have been traveling all over robbing places.Miyazaki's animation might be viewed as a bit primitive when compared to Spirited Away, but I think compared to other animation seen on television "The Castle of Cagliostro" is a knock-out. Certainly the dungeon, aqueduct, and clocktower sequences are exciting (if a bit far-fetched, but I let that go; I just consider the anti-hero Lupin larger-than-life and let it be) and thrilling to watch, and the Lupin III character (a popular manga character) survives one hairy situation after another. Lupin being able to breathe underwater and swim against powerful current flowing against him, hanging, scaling, and climbing up the castle structures (and how he hops the rooftops) with relative ease (I say that reluctantly as he must tip-toe and combat downhill movement when he loses step), and resist being crushed in giant gears and sprockets (in the aqueduct and clocktower) establishes the lead character as superhuman. He is clearly shot in a way that could kill him (he even bleeds out a stream!), he falls to his ass after a log-piece his "rescue string" is tied around pulls from the roots (landing on his head!), and dives from a long distance (capturing a falling Princess Clarisse to boot) head-first into a lake that surrounds the castle. So suspend disbelief.Count Cagliostro is a classic heavy. He plans to force Clarisse into marriage to secure a hidden treasure through their union (but he mainly just wants her ring, with a crest that is to be associated with his own ring's family crest), and he has a host of imperial guards with shields and swords (but doesn't mind using ninjas with guns or knives for claws, either!) at his disposal. Lupin and buddies, Jigen and Goemon (partner-in-crime and swordsman respectively) will make things difficult. Lupin is driven by an encounter with Clarisse when she was younger, offering assistance to him when he was hurt after a heist chase, while Jigen and Goemon are just loyal to the master thief. Interpol cop, Zenigata, has been on Lupin's trail for ages, trying desperately, without much luck, to catch him. Here is a chance to do that, but it is Lupin (believe it or not!) who calls him to Cagliostro's castle estate! Lupin is a character who is so confident and slippery, it is never in doubt he will succeed in rescuing the damsel and costing the Count his quest. Not without a share of difficulty, though. But I thought the character of Zenigata, and his red-faced responses to adversity and frustration, was a real treat. But Lupin is your classic likable thief character. He has integrity in that the danger and peril constantly placing Lupin in jeopardy didn't thwart his efforts to save Clarisse. There is also a female spy character that Lupin has a past with who gets in on the action (fired at by the guards, and packing heat herself, more than willing to exchange gunfire, narrowly avoiding death). So lots of fun characters and action in Miyazaki's film. The hidden city ending is beautiful eye candy, and has a sense of irony considering the Cagliostro villain believes it is treasure…his fate on the clocktower is a doozy! The autogyro and car chases are vehicular highlights as well!

Though Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro is often called one of Hayao Miyazaki's weaker efforts, I beg to differ. Though there aren't many deep environmental or humanist themes to glean from the story, this is probably the most entertaining movie he ever directed. It's got everything a good old-fashioned swashbuckling adventure film needs: exciting chases, comedy, daring rescues, tender romance, a sneering villain, and a wonderful climax. I think the Miyazaki films which adhere closest to the tone of this film are probably Laputa: Castle in the Sky and Porco Rosso.Like I said, this movie is Miyazaki's most fun. For all his prowess for quiet moments, the action scenes in this are outstanding, so outstanding that everyone from Teen Titans to Disney have made homage to them. The first car chase alone is worth the price of admission; in fact, I'd go as far to say it's one of the best car chases ever put on film, animated or otherwise. There's tons of comedy too, slapstick even Buster Keaton or Bugs Bunny would be proud of.I will admit, the animation is not the highest quality compared to the films Miyazaki would work on later and its age is obvious, but honestly, it's not as bad as some make it out to be and it's miles ahead of the animation in the first Lupin feature, The Secret of Mamo. The animation is not "horrible". Yes, it looks rushed in some places, but it's never hideous. The backgrounds are quite lovely and give the picture a great old world atmosphere. Oh, and I adore Yuji Ono's music, especially the film's several renditions of "Fire Treasure". The vocal version played over the opening credits has to be one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard.Lots of Lupin the Third fans have criticized this film for not being faithful to the harsher personalities of the characters, and as a fan, I can see where they're coming from. Like others, I am upset that cool characters such as Jigen and Goemon are barely given anything to do (especially so since those two are my favorite characters in the franchise). However, I adhere to the idea that Cagliostro is set at the twilight of Lupin's career as a thief. The Lupin we see in this film is no longer the skirt-chasing, selfish fellow which originated in the manga and first television series; he is an older, more mature man who seems to be weary of the life he has chosen (the film has a bit of a melancholic undercurrent actually, though it never spoils the comedy). Plus, the character of Lupin often changes from adaptation to adaptation anyway. Heck, even his personality in the popular second television series is nothing like the character in the original manga.Many have also criticized the character of Princess Clarisse for not being as proactive as later Miyazaki heroines such as Nausicaa or San. Yet if you take a closer look, Clarisse is not as weak as she initially seems. She's an ingénue and a damsel-in-distress, yes, but she has an inner strength to her. She escapes from the count's goons on her own at the beginning of the film, is not afraid to throw herself over an unconscious Lupin when the count threatens to shoot him, and she attempts to throw herself and the count over the edge of the clock tower when he tries killing Lupin yet again during the climax. And while some may say she's terrible and antifeminist for trying to persuade Lupin to teach her how to be a thief just so she can stay with him, you have to remember she's a love-struck, naïve, and sheltered girl who's only about seventeen or eighteen years old. Nobody thinks much through at that age.All in all, this is far from being a "weak" film. It's a fun ride, a popcorn classic, and a wonderful debut for the great Miyazaki.