The films I have discussed can be viewed here ---> https://www.amazon.com/Lupin-IIIrd-Jigens-Gravestone-English/dp/B07KZ7XPQ2 This review is the archival text from the previous year.
I know that I have been delighted with Lupin continuously for many months, but I cannot do otherwise. I did not expect that after watching 3 highly rated series and 2 very good cinema lamps, this brand will surprise me with something else. I was pulled out of this misconception by "The Blood Spray of Goemon Ishikawa". He is the perfect masterpiece, as well as the fantastic finial of the path that Goemon went. The movie about Jiggen was a bit weaker, but at the same time it is so outstanding that it would rather end up in the best full-length films I've ever seen.
Together, together with the TV series about Mine Fujiko, they create their own mini-world. They differ from the "main" universe in a few issues - e.g. drawing style, age category, or the character of the main character. The image of the protagonist is slightly different from the TV series version. It is true that he is still a loose laugh who lives according to the Carpe Diem principle, but he is more experienced and he walks the ground more confidently. In the standard universe, the creators sometimes like to light up (mainly with Mine Fujiko), it happens that they show a stronger scene, but they present it in a gentle way. In a more mature world, they do not play properly framing violent scenes or any other form of censorship. There are a few porn scenes that look like foreplay for some fucking hentai. We have fights full of blood and scenes in which you can feel a kind of phantom pain (on some shots I hissed independently in pain, did I react in a different way).
Generally, we got a few intense fuckers on "John Wick" level, or a fight in the last "Mission Impossible". Similarly to the above-mentioned movies, we can see cutting limbs (or their fragments), attacking with reinforced chains, the characters also use elements of the environment. It would not be so satisfying for me, were it not for the impressive realism of these productions and taking care of small details. I have never seen any creators pay so much attention to the surgical precision of snipers who have to take many factors into account when shooting. It is also clearly seen in the example of pistols drawn in detail (they were tempted to elaborately show its components). As if that wasn't enough, bruises and lima also appear after the fight. If such a Lupine gets in the eye, then he will have plum for him for a few days. While it happened a few times that I came across such a thing in the anime, I have never seen so natural and dynamic changes in the saturation of purple and green around wounds.
As a standard for this brand, we got a few supernatural themes, but in my opinion they do not bite with this vision of Lupine. First of all, because the creators want to show a good story, and such elements enrich it, which is why we can experience is much better. Generally speaking - scenes in which Goemon and Jigen reached the peak (?) Of their skills came out brilliantly. Without spoiling too much, for a moment I didn't see a samurai or sniper, but specialists who won 100% championship. The Jigen screening reminded me of how many factors are important when it comes to perfect shooting. Both a sniper rifle in the case of his rival and a regular pistol. Its weight and gun and bullet firing power are also important. As for the second image, I will say briefly - Goemon finally showed that he could really kick the ass of not one battle boots.
But, but I write so much about the advantages, and I did not say much about the plot. I'll start with the fact that you do not need to know other movies or TV series, but I do not recommend this solution. Nothing stands in the way, but without an emotional connection with these characters, you'll lose a lot of fun. "Lupin III: Daisuke Jigen's Gravestone" focuses on a commission whose goal is the right hand of a famous thief. The contractor is Yael Okuzaki, an elegant liquidator for rent, and an elite shooter. You can consider the killer-elegant film to be a bit well-worn, but the creators have squeezed a lot from it. His elegance is manifested not only in clothing but also a calm personification and a professional approach to work. Although it has a relatively short airtime, it was remembered as one of those more successful opponents. The side thread from Mine Fujiko was hardcore. The beginning heralded a nice erotic with her participation, but after a few moments near closer to hentai. In the case of Goemon, we are also dealing with hunting, but this time with Lupin. The difference is that the final battle characters use melee weapons, so we have more effective shots. In the meantime, we observe a well-directed plot of samurai and gangster counts.
When it comes to the soundtrack, in this case the Jigen movie theater wins. James Shimoji is responsible for the music for both movies and I hope I can hear his authorship more often. The very intro just brings us into the right atmosphere, and this is just the beginning. Revolver Fires is pure epicness, a song that immediately brought to my mind "Rocky", one of my top endings. A piece from one important moment (05 狙 撃 手), splendidly highlighted the epic nature of this scene. I do not want to reveal what is going on, but if you watch, you will probably immediately guess that I'm talking about her. This song blends so well with the video that you can guess right away that I'm talking about it.
The final fight is a miracle. It contains what I value in Toriyama's line from DBZ, or Togashi in HxH. Although these are drawings, I felt perfectly the destructive power of the Chopper, as well as the precision and calmness of Goemon. I would have to bury well in my memory and watch the best anime battles several times to shell out something done in a comparatively good way. I felt like I was watching a fight for life and death between the exhausted Byakuya of "Bleach" and another captain in a similar state. Their fights probably had twice as many frames per second than the standard TV series. Although duels or scenes requiring more attention from animators are quite short, after both sessions I felt full. The duel does not have to belong to make an impression on viewers - it is enough for them to be just thought out and properly executed.
Years ago, my friend Karol praised TMS for a great example of how to show the fighting style of a packed man. The chopper, like any giant, needs large amounts of oxygen to feed top muscles. Therefore, the guy does not throw himself like a moron of shounen, but moves slowly without making unnecessary moves. Initially, you can even underestimate him, like a greasy tomcat catching mice from popular Chinese legends. The chopper, like this cat, masks his speed perfectly by pretending to be a slow man. Then he just waits for the right moment when he will be able to violently fuck his opponent. The chopper is extremely consistent in his actions - he has control over his emotions and cannot be carried away. For example, why move the whole body to defend against a bullet? It is better to put the ax on the body and bounce the missile with its head. I have never seen such a cleverly invented "tank", hats off. There are even more examples of its originality, but I do not want to take pleasure in discovering such details by hand. My grades are 9/10 (movie about Jiger) and 10/10 respectively.
Review the fairy tale about Mine Fujiko: @herosik/review-lupin-the-third-mine-fujiko-to-iu-onna