Lupin the 3rd Alcatraz Connection DVD

If I was going to compare the Lupin franchise to the James Bond franchise, this would definitely be a Pierce Bronson: the look and style of the mid-late 90s is all over this movie and the tone will fluctuate between the goofiness of the 80s Lupin and the more serious Lupin of the Fujiko Mine and even the Blue Jacket series. It's still a fun watch, though: the entire film takes place in the U.S. and it's basically a take on big American action movies of the 90s with all the explosions and gun fights you would expect. The plot isn't the tightest (it gets a bit repetitive in places), but I'd definitely recommend it for fans of Lupin.

great movie. lupin is wily as ever. he knows how to get Zenigata's hair while pulling another fabulous case.

At just 90 min, 'Alcatraz' is perfectly paced, flowing from beat-to-beat with tons of energy. Backed up by some frenzied, polished animation and a terrific score, Lupin & the gang've rarely looked or sounded better. Sadly, the story falters a bit, juggling too many balls for it's own good (7 villains, 5 protagonists, the Kennedy Assassination, an underground city, an underwater treasure, and more). Eastern Star's work here is nowhere near Funimation's quality with Lupin either; there's no dub (Tony Oliver/Sonny Strait & co. are sorely missed) and the script is pretty rough. Definitely could've used another pass; some of the lines get pretty nonsensical. Finally, Lupin himself isn't so much “the Smartest Man in the Room” here, and leans a bit too much on deus ex machina and lampshading. Thankfully, none of these are huge issues, and the breakneck pace keeps the focus on what's entertaining. This 2001 Lupin caper is far from his smartest adventure, but it sure is a blast!

Zenigata grumbles about chasing Lupin across two centuries. Following 2000's "Missed By A Dollar," this made-for-TV special throws off the vestiges of Lupin's so-so adventures through the 90's and embraces the new millennium in style. Characters designs and animation are among the coolest in the franchise, retaining some of that 90's edginess but combining it with plenty of humor and absurdity worthy of its comedy manga origins.

There's an especially hilarious scene where a Triad member's attempt to torture Lupin transforms into an escalating act of rival prop comedy. This is one of the more laugh out loud hilarious of Lupin's adventures, while still being action-packed and filled with crazy plot twists.

Being a Lupin special, there’s plenty of revisionist history, this time involving Alcatraz Island, the Kennedy assassinations, and a conspiracy that links them. The lack of a dub is disappointing, but don’t let that stop you from indulging in one of Lupin’s best movie-length capers.