Today’s quick review: Lupin III: The First. For his latest score, the world-famous thief Lupin III (Tony Oliver) sets his sights on the Bresson Diary, a locked journal which holds the secret to an ancient treasure. To unlock the diary, Lupin turns to Laetitia (Laurie C. Hymes), a young archaeologist. But the two of them face stiff competition from Professor Lambert (J. David Brimmer), Laetitia’s manipulative grandfather.
Lupin III: The First is a Japanese animated crime adventure. Lupin and his gang of thieves return to steal the one treasure his grandfather never could. True to the rest of the series, Lupin III: The First is a lighthearted romp about a playful thief who uses his wits, disguises, and all kinds of gadgets to steal the treasure and beguile his enemies. Sparkling action, a solid story, and a dash of style make the movie a fun watch.
Lupin III: The First is a new step for the series, taking traditionally hand-animated characters and rendering them in CGI. Lupin III: The First handles the transition with grace, staying faithful to the look and mannerisms of the characters while layering on realistic backgrounds and materials. The end result isn’t quite as dynamic as the series at its best, but its scenery and its action are both a treat to watch.
Lupin III: The First’s main shortcoming is that it misses the chance to go farther. The story can be formulaic in places, coasting on well-worn ideas from the Lupin III series when it could have established new ones of its own. The movie still has enough novelty to appeal to fans who are familiar with Lupin’s tricks, but it’s missing a lot of the little flourishes and connections that separate a good movie from a great one.
Overall, Lupin III: The First is a breezy adventure that will appeal to new and old fans alike. In spite of a few missed opportunities, the movie captures the playful tone of the series and successfully updates classic characters with a new visual style. Try it out when you are in the mood for something light, simple, and unabashedly fun. Skip it if you are looking for a heist that is more down-to-earth.
For a more artful take on the same character, check out Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro. For a globe-trotting adventure with more elaborate cinematography and a similar art style, try The Adventures of Tintin. For an adventure with some similar plot elements, try Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
[6.9 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10621032/). I give it a 7.0 for enjoyable characters, a solid plot, and strong visuals.