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[ café reviews ]

fum_00.jpg

Lupin III
Fuma Ichizoku No Inbo
(The Fuma Conspiracy)



Copyright: 1987 Toho Co. Ltd, Tokyo Movie Shinsha (Japan), 1994 AnimEigo (North America)
Length: 73 minutes
Rating: NR, Parental Guidance Suggested
Format: Subtitled (VHS)

Producer: Takeuchi Koji Director: Ozeki Masayuki Screenplay: Naito Makoto Animation Director: Tomonaga Kazuhide Executive Producer of English Version: Robert J. Woodhouse English Translation: Shin Kurokawa, Micheal House


[ plot summary ]

[ vhs cover ]

Ishikawa Goemon has decided to settle down and marry Sumiwara Murasaki. However, long-time enemies of the Sumiwara clan have slightly different plans for their wedding. Specifically, they want to get the prized family vase, which just happens to contain information regarding a vast treasure buried by the Sumiwara clan when taxes were first introduced in Japan. Having been thwarted in their attempts to get the vase, they instead kidnap the bride-to-be. The head of the Sumiwara clan however, will not trade the vase whatsoever, not even for his daughter. It's up to Lupin and gang to rescue Murasaki and to keep the vase from falling into the hands of the Fuma Clan. However, not everything can go according to plans. For one thing, Inspector Zenigata has just been told that Lupin is still alive and well, despite what he had previously believed...


[ rated pg ]

adult situations
intense situations
violence

Parental Guidance Advised - Lots of mad-cap action, but a tad violent at times. The final fight scene is very similar in setup to a Bruce Lee movie. Some very minor nudity, though most would not find it objectionable.


[ capsule review ]

Keystone Cops meets Yojimbo. Interesting combination of slapstick humour against a straight foil. Unlike other Lupin stories, this one centers around Ishikawa Goemon and the rescue of his would-be bride, Sumiwara Murasaki. Those of you who have only seen Lupin in Cagliostro may have a tough time with this one -- you have to leave tongue firmly in cheek, or you'll hate it. Lots of ridiculous humour throughout -- the opening car chase with Lupin's Mini and his pursuers doing impossible things, Lupin and his remote-controlled safe cracker, baddies under the influence of hallucinogenic gas -- you get the idea. The movie pays tribute to many other movies as well -- James Bond, Indiana Jones, any number of old classic samurai movies -- so many that you'll lose count quickly. The final showdown between ? and Goemon is classic -- good vs. evil, bo vs. katana, strength vs. finesse. Animation may not be Disney frames-per-second, but well done nevertheless. If you don't mind slapstick humour and lots of stereotyping, you'll have a ball.- AN


This is probably my favourite animated Lupin movie that I've seen so far. The story itself is pretty basic and is rather sweet, a bit of a love story involving Goemon and a lot of a treasure hunt and getting there before the Fuma clan finds it. This movie definitely has its fun moments like when Goemon had a bit of a discussion with Lupin and Goemon regarding the treasure, (those poor trees!) not to mention the car chase between Lupin and Zenigata. My favourite though is during the opening credits when the kids are running around the temple and Zenigata hits one kid on the head. The animation itself is nothing to write home about but is decent enough, and the music is pretty good as well. More than anything, this is really just a light hearted fun movie for the family. There's nothing particularly offensive, and there's no excessive violence although there are some incidental deaths (what can you expect with a booby-trap filled place?). All in all a fun watch. - JYN



[ café rating ]

Original: Subbed: Dubbed:
Story: N/A 3 stars N/A
Direction: N/A 4 stars N/A
Acting: N/A 4 stars N/A
Animation: N/A 3 stars N/A
Music: N/A 3 stars N/A
Translation: N/A 4 stars N/A
Overall Rating: N/A 4 stars N/A


[ café trivia ]



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