Lupin III Vs Detective Conan: The Movie (2013)
A definite improvement over the (frankly, tedious) tv special, but this cinema outing for our unlikely frenemies remains a bit workmanlike and needlessly convoluted. The first half shows real promise, but it runs out of steam as it wears on, and begins to feel disappointingly padded, even during the action climax. Surprisingly, it also assumes a good knowledge of the aforementioned special, with the character relationships frequently calling back to it in ways that may baffle casual viewers entirely. Most of all, it feels as if the film is playing it very safe. I can’t speak for Conan, but I think Lupin is at its best when the creators are willing to take risks; this movie takes none.
The film was a massive financial success, however, and it is interesting to think that it probably played a large role in kickstarting mainline Lupin as a tv series again, with Part 4 appearing just a couple of years later.
A definite improvement over the (frankly, tedious) tv special, but this cinema outing for our unlikely frenemies remains a bit workmanlike and needlessly convoluted. The first half shows real promise, but it runs out of steam as it wears on, and begins to feel disappointingly padded, even during the action climax. Surprisingly, it also assumes a good knowledge of the aforementioned special, with the character relationships frequently calling back to it in ways that may baffle casual viewers entirely. Most of all, it feels as if the film is playing it very safe. I can’t speak for Conan, but I think Lupin is at its best when the creators are willing to take risks; this movie takes none.
The film was a massive financial success, however, and it is interesting to think that it probably played a large role in kickstarting mainline Lupin as a tv series again, with Part 4 appearing just a couple of years later.
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