Lupin the 3rd - The Secret of Mamo

Starring:Robert Axelrod, Richard Cansino, George C. Cole, Richard Epcar, Osgood W. Glick, Makio Inoue, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Lex Lang, Jake Martin (II), Eiko Masuyama, Michael McConnohie, Edie Mirman, GorÃ´ Naya, KÃ´ Nishimura, Tony Oliver, Bob Papenbrook, Michelle Ruff, Yasuo Yamada
Director: Richard Epcar, Soji Yoshikawa
Studio: Geneon [Pioneer]
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Created by manga artist Monkey Punch in 1967, Lupin III is a master thief, the direct descendant of ArsÃ¨ne Lupin. His off-the-wall escapades spoof the adventures of James Bond and similar rakish heroes. The typically baroque plot of "Mamo" requires Lupin and his sidekicks, the super-samurai Goemon and the beatnik Jigan, to steal the ingredients needed for a compound that produces eternal youth. The mastermind behind this scheme is the mad billionaire-industrialist Hayward Lockwood, a.k.a. Mamo. Lupin's clumsy attempts to seduce Mamo's voluptuous red-haired agent, Fujiko, and his successful evasions of the obsessed Inspector Zenigata provide additional comedy. The features and TV programs in the Lupin III series are much cartoonier and slower paced than more recent anime comedy-adventures, although their influence on Ranma 1/2 and other Japanese tongue-in-cheek heroes is clear. The animation is sloppy, Lupin's features change from scene to scene, and his hands frequently look like scribbles. The Mystery of Mamo is too silly to work as an adventure, but not silly enough to work as a farce, at least in this English version. --Charles Solomon
Description
The world's most wanted master thief, Lupin the Third is dead! Despite a coroner's report, Inspector Zenigata is skeptical and discovers that Lupin is actually alive and well and stealing! But who had set up Lupin's death and why? Meanwhile, Fujiko is lured by the promise of eternal youth and beauty by the mad scientist know as Mamo. Pursuing Fujiko leads Lupin and his gang to Mamo's hideaway, where they discover the madman's dark secret and a fiendish scheme that threatens the entire planet! Now, it's up to Lupin to stop the insane Mamo - before he can complete his 10,000 year-old plans of world domination.

KEY SALES POINTS: Lupin is one of Japan's biggest pop culture icons, spawning 6 theatrical films, 10 television films and 228 TV episodes. This is the first THEATRICAL FEATURE of Lupin series (theatrically released in 1978) Digitally High Definition Remastered for DVD release.

DVD FEATURES: Bilingual format (new English dialog 5.1 and original Japanese audio with optional English subtitles), interactive animated menus, scene access. Anamorphic Widescreen Presentation DVD extras include Conceptual Art Gallery, Excerpts from the original movie program and promo poster

Amazon.com

Created by manga artist Monkey Punch in 1967, Lupin III is a master thief, the direct descendant of Arsène Lupin. His off-the-wall escapades spoof the adventures of James Bond and similar rakish heroes. The typically baroque plot of "Mamo" requires Lupin and his sidekicks, the super-samurai Goemon and the beatnik Jigan, to steal the ingredients needed for a compound that produces eternal youth. The mastermind behind this scheme is the mad billionaire-industrialist Hayward Lockwood, a.k.a. Mamo. Lupin's clumsy attempts to seduce Mamo's voluptuous red-haired agent, Fujiko, and his successful evasions of the obsessed Inspector Zenigata provide additional comedy. The features and TV programs in the Lupin III series are much cartoonier and slower paced than more recent anime comedy-adventures, although their influence on Ranma 1/2 and other Japanese tongue-in-cheek heroes is clear. The animation is sloppy, Lupin's features change from scene to scene, and his hands frequently look like scribbles. The Mystery of Mamo is too silly to work as an adventure, but not silly enough to work as a farce, at least in this English version. --Charles Solomon

Description

The world's most wanted master thief, Lupin the Third is dead! Despite a coroner's report, Inspector Zenigata is skeptical and discovers that Lupin is actually alive and well and stealing! But who had set up Lupin's death and why? Meanwhile, Fujiko is lured by the promise of eternal youth and beauty by the mad scientist know as Mamo. Pursuing Fujiko leads Lupin and his gang to Mamo's hideaway, where they discover the madman's dark secret and a fiendish scheme that threatens the entire planet! Now, it's up to Lupin to stop the insane Mamo - before he can complete his 10,000 year-old plans of world domination.

BONUS - FREE INSIDE: Lupin Magic keychain (while supplies last), Collectible reversible cover, Booklet of Interviews, movie information, character information and more!

Customer Reviews:

Lupin Rocks!.......2007-05-10

The artwork in this movie is a little different from the usual Lupin the 3rd art. But I thought the movie was really good. You'll watch it more then once.

A great movie that stays true to its roots.......2006-02-13

This is the best adaptation of Monkey Punch's Manga. Unlike the acclamed 'Castle of Cagliostro', this film is very true to its original form. The main characters often quarrel, which is rarely or never seen in any other Lupin films.

Mystery and Secret of Mamo Vs. Clone.......2005-05-05

Whatever the name for the first theatrical film outing for Lupin the Third and Co., this is certainly an oldie but a goodie. Reviewers disappointed in the animation should note that the film is as old as the first Star Wars flick. Originally released as Lupin VS.Clone , the film was given the tag "Mystery of Mamo" after it's early 1980 World Con english premiere. In this film the talented animators went back to the original mangas (that means comics)stories from creator, Monkey Punch., who envisioned Lupin as amorous bad guy who loots from worse bad guys. A higher degree of sexual content (Austin Powers flavored) and violence than the show typically would delve into, is going to be a shock for viewers of Cartoon Net's Adult Swim Lupin series. In the film, Lupin follows a plotline worthy of classic James Bond films. A eccentric millionaire named Mamo thinking himself God is seeking a stone that may grant eternal youth is Lupin's nemesis.Lupin's lust for the well endowed Mine Fujiko(working for Mamo) is finally causing a rift with his partners Jigen and Goemon. Add to this the U.S.Govt, suspects Lupin is helping Mamo blackmail the world with threats of a global nuke strike and you have one very entertaining 2 hrs.The success of this film paved the way for the making of the landmark second film Lupin: Castle of Cagliostro by Miyazaki, and so it is noteworthy .

Excellent and Smooth.......2005-01-17

First of All, for any of you who shop for imported subtitled DVDs at conventions [...], this was originally called the "Castle of Cagliostro" and shows Lupin standing tall with white bandages on his head, with a castle in the background. This was a great movie. I love the cool soundtrack and the clothing and how everything in so "in style." I also love how Lupin is an escape artist. This is worth every penny. Also, if you like Luypin the 3rd, check out animetoxic.com and search for the excellent prequel film, "Episode 0: First Contact."

Other DVDs not released from Pioneer or FUNimation:

Episode 0: First Contact
TV Special Return of Pycal
TV Special Lupin's Retirement

[...]

The first Lupin movie, and a great one at that.......2004-07-12

First of all, for anyone that has seen any of the Lupin T.V. episodes will enjoy most of the movies. Personally I am a big fan of the show so I bought this dvd without having seen it before. Overall I am very glad I made this purchase. It feels like a 2 hour long episode and that is okay in my opinion. For those new to Lupin, it is basically about 4 expert thieves who travel the world and steal the most high profile items. Lupin III is the main character, and there is no better thief in the world. His crew includes samurai Goemon, gunman Jigen, and the beautiful Fujiko who is sometimes his ally and sometimes is not. Fujiko uses Lupin's infatuation for her to her advantage in getting what she wants from him, much to the dislike of his other partners. The Secret of Mamo begins with Lupin presumed dead. But as Inspector Zinegata, who is always after Lupin to arrest him, finds out Lupin is alive and well. But someone has set it up to look that way. Meanwhile Fujiko is lured to the promise of eternal youth and beauty by a scientist known as Mamo. Lupin, Goemon and Jigen pursue Fujiko, ending up on Mamo's island. While there they discover that Mamo has a plan bigger than they could have realised, a plan to take over the world that has been going on for 10,000 years. Can Lupin stop Mamo before it is too late? If you have seen the tv show then you already know the answer to that. But this is the first Lupin movie I saw and it is one of my favorites. This is old school anime, chock full of cheesiness and lower quality animation, but nevertheless Lupin is one of the best anime series ever. The series has influenced so many other things in the world of anime/animation in general, and if you see this movie you will know why. This is an action-packed movie that I really enjoyed, and I recommend it to fans of Lupin III or any anime fan in general.

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