Lupin the 3rd - The Secret of Twilight Gemini [DVD]

I have only seen two Lupin films, so you can call this a review from someone who is new.Being the 8th film in the series, Lupin the 3rd is as popular to Anime as James Bond is popular to Hollywood movies.Both Lupin and James Bond share allot in common, they pick up allot of ladies.They are always solving mysteries that involve corrupt people who desire for power.But the major different is, Lupin is a thief from France, James is a Brittish Spy.So that would explain why Lypin is able to pick up all the chiks then.OK, so anyway, Lupin is given half of a dimond from an old family friend who is suffering from ill health and the old guy asks Lupin to go and find the Geltic treasure.Allong the way, a the usual detective who tries to catch Lupin in every movie is at it again often trying to catch Lupin for his theifory acts. But this time there is this French Commissioner who is also after Lupin (for reasons not to be explained as they give away allot of the story line)Then there are usual Lupin characters, especilly this blonde lady who always seems to be in the same place as Lupin on her own missions and they happen to get into bed together only to be interupted before the fun starts.But as always, Lupin the 3rd is NOT a Hentai, even though there are breasts exposed, they are nothing more than just Ecchi material.The real highlight is with one special character by the name of Laura who lives as a Geltic girl who is fighting for the freedom of her people in Morroco.For anyone who likes Quicksand in Anime, Lupin the 3rd - The Secret of Twilight Gemini has one ripper of a quicksand peril moment that is to be soon to be believed as Lupin tries to save the sinking Laura by stripping down to his boxes and trying to make a rope out of his clothes.It is a really touching scene and one that is one of those Lupin moments when you feel that this girl has fallen in love with the French thief.Allong with many funny (and perverted) moments, I really enjoyed this movie of Lupin the 3rd.But in the end, that is only just my opinion.I found this movie when someone told me where the quicksand scene came from on YouTube so I was really happy to enjoy buying this while I had the name to guide me.And to top it all off, for those who want a beautiful Belly Dancer dancing in the creddits, well this one has just the type of creddit scenes you are looking for.Overall, an enjoyable Anime and it has brought my interest in Lupin the 3rd.

Great movie!

Rather great that I got the Uncut version of this otherwise fun, but average Lupin the 3rd TV movie. Funimation went all 4Kids on us with a childish edited version that puts digital bras on naked women like they are trying hard to market this to kids or something. The list of edits to the other version are numerous and for some reason Funimation messed up and put that version in one of their first run box sets of the movies.But it begs to say why in world did they even try to edited this movie? What was the reason? They didn't do this to the other TV specials and movies, why this one?Thankfully it's quite easy to tell the ones apart on DVD, the edited has no subtitle under it's title. The Uncut DVD at least has a subtitle to indicate it is the uncut version. Bad news is that most likely the sellers on here won't know which one is which and or won't care and will give either version.I lucked out.By the way, the subtitles are a little different, on the language menu pick "Japanese with Japanese subtitles" instead of "Japanese with English Subtitles. As the Japanese subtitles are the actual translated English dialogue for the Japanese version, the English one is well the English Dub script transcribed for your enjoyment for some reason. The dialogue doesn't match up and I realized I should have picked the other subs.The Dub for this thing is horrendous as usual. It's not even as good as the Tony Oliver/Richard Epcar dub that Geneon put out for the second series and the first movie.But the selling of a edited version to this, is just mind boggling. What were they thinking? Edits to violence, sexual content and even minor language, it's ridiculous.

While the animation may not be up to snuff in this movie, the worst part is the writing. Basically, the story has Lupin at the bedside of an old, dying underworld boss. This boss gives Lupin an odd-shaped purple diamond called the Twilight Gemini. Apparently it is the key to a vast treasure in Morocco. So off Lupin goes followed by Inspector Zenigata. The rest of Lupin's gang shows up for whatever reason and don't do much for the movie except show up. Things are rather boring and uninteresting and when the end comes, it is a relief!People with below-average intelligence will QUICKLY be able to figure out where the other half of the diamond is and who the chief bad guy really is. So, to make up for their bad writing, animated nudity is inserted. It is here that we see the Japanese love of fetishes such as large-breasted women, transvestites, and B&D. They found many opportunities to show Fujiko nude (topless) whenever the story becomes unwatchable. And just so Fujiko isn't the only one forced to lose her clothes, they have the character of Lara lose hers!Characters are butchered here. Fujiko in "Castle of Cagliostro" is smart. She's been working undercover for a long time to try to make a huge score. When Lupin shows up, she aides him only because it helps her to do so. So she's sexy, smart, and classy. In "Twilight Gemini", Fujiko is reduced to an ignorant slut who uses sex to try to get information out of Lupin to find out why he's here. Her only purpose is to show her naked breasts at various times, nothing more.While there should be a purpose for Jigen being here, he really has no purpose. The writers try to make up one but it is so weak as to be laughable. And then Goemon's purpose is only to fight the transvestite bad guy who apparently trained with Goemon at some point. Goemon supposedly has been on this person's trail for some time. Yeah, whatever.Just horrible writing is the plague here. Obviously this was slapped together since the studio that made this movie just wanted a Lupin product out. If you are a hard-core Lupin fan who want's to add to their Lupin collection, go ahead and get this. Otherwise, I'd skip this one.

Not as good as Castle Of Cagliostro but still very watchable.Lupin never really took off in the UK which is a shame because it is a very good series with some great animation.More traditional animation than manga.Voice acting is good.

i enjoy every lupin the third series it very well made and is brillant for any japanse lover of this series lupin is great even looking like his female panter at times

It's a Great Movie but the DVD is English DUB Only and the Original Japanese Dub is Better.