Rating: 
Summary: A lesson in how to destroy a great film
Review: The Castle of Cagliostro is one of the greatest animated features of all time, sparking with adventure, wit and even humor. It's visual impact is expansive, and it's characters have a life of their own...Which is why this DVD is such a tragedy. This is not the Caste of Cagliostro, as raved about by the likes of Steven Spielburg. This is a second-rate parody of it. The entire vocal soundtrack to this DVD has been removed and replaced with one which may well have been written by a first-timer, with no knowledge of the story - and performed by vocal talent that couldn't get a job on a Wendy's commercial. The end product is entirely unwatchable. Gone are the snappy quotes, and well-paced vocal patter of the film's stars.. it almost feels like the script was improvised on the spot, with the actors having never even seen the film beforehand, let alone been given a storyline to stick to. I waited paitently for two years for Cagliostro to come back onto the market... and it appears that I'm still waiting. The only bright hope I have now is to locate a pirated copy of the real version of the film, because I'm not keeping this one. By "The Real Version" I refer to the 1979 dub, sold by Streamline Pictures. Only released on VHS in the american market, it's far superior to the MANGA version. That's the version of the film that won all the awards, and catipulted this film into the history books. That's the version to get. This DVD has been in my posession for a little over an hour now... just eough time to get it out of the box and into the player - to see the devestation wrought by MANGA Video, and to decide to not only return the thing, but also to warn potential buyers that they're being gypped. This is not the film as advertised. Don't watse your money.
Rating: 
Summary: pure fun
Review: This movie is Miyazaki's first big screen feature film and what a bang it is! The story is by one of the manga most innovating authors Monkey Punch. That may be a little bit disappointing for some who expect to see a "characteristic" Miyazaki film. Some may say the story is a bit more traditional but it is a perfect action comedy nevertheless. Granted, it is far more lightweight than most of the Muyazaki's later works, still you see the hand of the master everywhere in this movie. Miyazaki was one of the original creators of the Lupin TV series in the early 70's and even though he did not create the characters from the scratch, there is a lot of Miyazaki in the way the characters are animated. On the backside of being lightweight, this movie is has a lot of laugh-out-loud humor, the story is captivating and the action is superb. The main characters: a chivalrous thief Arsene Lupin the 3rd "the Wolf", his sharp-shooting chain-smoking associate Jigen, a cool samurai Goemon, sexy and dangerous Fujiko -- all are extremely likeable bunch. If you are craving for more, try to find the two TV episodes also directed by Miyazaki ("Aloha Lupin" - series finale - and "Albatross: the Wings of Death"), these were released in the US and are available from some videostores. There are at least 5 more Lupin the 3rd feature films (some refer to "Rupan" in their English titles, that's how the Japanese pronounce "Lupin"). None of these is directed by Miyazaki. The two that i saw were quite entertaining, not really Miyazaki level, but good if nothing else as a chance to meet the great characters again. This movie is highly recommended to any viewer, i am yet to meet a person who did not like it. As usual, i prefer the subbed version, although the old dub was not bad, don't know if there is anything different about the re-release.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth the wait!
Review: ...I was a little disappointed with the traditional nature ofthis anime feature. I had expected the visual movement of KIKI'SDELIVERY SERVICE and perhaps a more complex look to the scenes and characters. However, the characterizations, action, and cleverly comic elements made up for the initial letdown. In many ways, THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO can be described as James Bond meets The Keystone Cops, though the cleverness here transcends both. DVD or VHS? Absolutely DVD. The language options allow you to view the movie in English, Japanese, or Japanese with English subtitles (my personal preference.) When you consider it, you're getting three movies in one package. The kids who can't read fast enough but who would love the dashing adventures of Lupino can watch one version, and later the purists can have their fill with one of the original language versions. Don't let my initial disappointment convince you not to get this DVD. This movie is still better than much of what is on the market today. END
Rating:
Summary: Lupin never looked so good, and never sounded so bad ...
Review: Possibly one of the three greatest animated theatrical features ever produced, I could never give this outstanding film less then 5 stars. However, I miss the Streamline/Macek dub. The original actors had sweeter voices and better acting. The new voices sound like horrible Saturday morning cartoon rejects. Another negative detail is the heavy color correction which gives an appaling contrast that pinpoints all the painting inconsistancies. Upsides are the restored original credits, and the pure fact this cinematic masterpiece is even on DVD. The picture is crisp and the original Japanese sounds are great (the dub lays obnoxiously intrusive over the picture). This anime classic is a must see for all animation fans, and the action antics have inspired some of the greatest directors of the late 1900s. Working on many levels, this sweet 'knight rescues princess' story is all around family entertainment. The violence is well handled, and non-gratuitous. This is a must have DVD.
Rating:
Summary: A cross between James Bond and the Pink Panther
Review: Hayao Miyazaki is one of these anime directors who always manages to maintain a level of excellence that can never falter. His recent efforts with Princess Mononoke(Mononoke Hime) is proof of this. Long before "Porco Rosso" and "Kiki's Delivery Service", Miyazaki introduced us to a character called Lupin the third(or Wolf as he became known in the west). An exceptional thief with gadgets that make James Bond look like a second rate pretender, and thieving talents to rival the Pink Panther. Lupin, with his partner Gegan, stumble across a money counterfeiting operation that emcompasses the world, originating from the small country of Cagliostro, ruled by the villianous Count Cagliostro. Meanwhile, the count is knee deep in a scheme to uncover a fabulous treasure, which can only be found in an arranged marriage to Princess Clarisse. Lupin, of course, has to intervene. Quite a few hilarious moments and action sequences. The car chase is the highlight. Animation is of the typical Miyazaki fare, some what simplistic, but does the job. With the story that's presented, it's always going to be a winner. A top film.
Rating:
Summary: MASTERPIECE!
Review: A copy of the old dub of this movie fell into my hands a few years ago, and quickly became one of my favorite films. The huge mysterious castle with all its secrets, the outrageous physical comedy, and of course the wonderful character of "The Wolf" himself all make this movie a masterpiece! I'm delighted to see this movie re-released. I just bought the subtitled edition and I'm very happy with it! (I'm keeping my old dub edition too... it's got some great jokes in it and the voicing is outstanding, especially Lupin himself). However, this new subtitled edition is a MUST-HAVE! Being so close to the original, it has lots of stuff in it that was changed or skimmed over in the old dub (like the Princess' feelings that she had blood on her hands as well because of her ancestor's actions, which adds a lot of depth to her that just wasn't there in the old dub). So even if you are familiar with the previous version of this movie, you must also see the sub! You will love this movie!
Rating:
Summary: Keep Miyazaki's movies coming
Review: I'm very happy with the release of Castle of Cagliostro.I'm a animation student and Miyazaki's my favorite director of film.If anyone reading this review is trying to find out about this golden nugget of a director or the quality of his films. His films are just outstanding and everyone of his films is a chamelion from his last and everyone are classics in film; not just in animation.With Castle of Cagliostro it's a classic caper film that has terrific action sequences and great comedy ;but not campy humor.I beleive anyone; adult or child would truly enjoy this film and is such a treasure that you don't waste your time renting this film or any other of Hayao Miyazaki movies; you just buy them and enjoy these wonderful,graceful,and timeless films for many years of viewing to come. After all on the back of the video case it says that Steven Spielburg has called it one of the best action-adventure films of all time.
Rating:
Summary: Castle of Cagliostro as it was meant to be!
Review: Fans of Miyazaki are no doubt quite familiar with the old dub of this 1979 classic, and until now this was the only way Castle of Cagliostro could be seen. Although the dub had a certain amount of charm, it was a long ways from being faithful to the original, making significiant changes to Lupin and Goemon's character--clearly a less than ideal film from one of the world's greatest animators. Fortunately April marks a date that Miyazaki and anime fans can rejoice with this outstanding DVD from Manga video. As should be expected, sound and image are excellent--something that is especially impressive for such an old animated film, although close viewing will reveal the occasional imperfection in the original. Also, Manga has included a new dub that is far closer to the original language (often being nearly verbatim) but lacking some of the charm that the original dub posessed, and also suffering from what to my ears sounds like a less than spirited reading. I will level one more gripe at the dub and that being the homogeneity of the voices--several voices sound to me as though they are read by the same person, and while I don't know if this is true or not, the voice actor for Zenigata in the original English dub feels sorely missed. Fortunately the subtitled version outshines any of the dubs (both past and present) so this still remains the best way to see Castle of Cagliosto on all counts (sound, image, accuracy.) But enough of the technical aspects--CoC remains one of the classics of anime and a film that can be watched dozens of times. The characters are unforgettable and the story heartwarming. While the animation might look a bit old by todays standards, it is personalized, warm and inviting. Like everything by Miyazaki, there is nothing here which will offend and makes perfect entertainment for all age groups. While this is definitely a very early work by the master, it is the first of his films to make it to our shores on DVD, and should be purchased without hesitation.
Rating:
Summary: Lupin III has _never_ looked or sounded this good!
Review: The moment I pushed "play" on my player, I threw my VHS copy of Castle of Cagliostro out the window. Manga has done such an amazing restoration job to this film. It looks like it was made 2 years ago instead of the twenty years it has been since its theatrical release. The colors are vibrant, the lines sharp, and the sound clear as crystal. The new dub job is quite good, and much more accurate to the original dialogue than Streamline's original VHS release. My only complaint is the lack of an anamorphic transfer, but I have very little else to complain, aside from the complete lack of extras. And of course, the film itself is top-notch. Still one of my top five favorite animated movies _ever_, Hayao Miyazaki takes the character of Lupin III and elevates him to an all new level of pathos and sympathy -- all while keeping the action non-stop and absolutely hilarious. This is one of the few pure adventure movies the whole family can enjoy together, and perfect proof that Japanese animation is not just for college kids with a lust for gore and sex.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Action Picture... Castle of Cagliostro
Review: Lupin the 3rd, Castle of Cagliostro is Miyazaki's best Family Action Movie. Unlike stereotypical anime like Akira, Cagliostro allows pure edge-of-your-seat action without the extreme gore... and therefore allows for 100% family entertainment. If you do buy this film, watch it first with the original Japanese Dialogue with English Subtitles. There is nothing better than to watch a movie the way it was originally made. This Miyazaki work is great for new anime fans as well as the avid collector.
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