Video:

DVD Rip - doesn't get any better

Audio:

Same great source, same great sound

Subtitle:

There are two or three dropped lines in the whole video which just brings it down to a 4.5 * release. And if you read Italian, it's got Italian subs as a bonus feature.

Comment:

I've seen much worse Lupin than this. This special (it is a made for TV special) is a tribute to one of the classic Lupin episodes from the very first season. The animation is some of the best I've seen in a non-Miyazaki Lupin show with the exception of a bit of computer animation that looks like it's done by a student. I think the story does a good job of keeping the feel of the first season of the TV series and only falls flat by not really explaining how Pycal does what he does. And talk about extra goodies. There are three "extra" endings you can watch from Zenegata's, Fujiko's, and some other guy's point of view. There are production images you can look at. There are TV spots. And there is some text thing that looks really cool but I have no idea what it is. I do feel the story could have been fleshed out more if it were a theatrical release but for a made for TV special I found this to be a fun diversion for the afternoon. Even the closing credits have the classic Fujiko on a motor bike at the top of the screen.

Video:

Video is overall excellent. Some parts are a little less than spectacular, but that's the source material's fault (like the cg being funky... that's just how it *IS*, it has nothing to do w/ MAC's job).

Audio:

Pretty good. I dunno how the DTS is, since my friend's 5.1 doesn't work w/ it, but the other audio was fine, no strange aniomolies present or anything.

Subtitle:

It sounds as if the MI version has bad subs as the show progresses, but I saw no problems on this, nor has anyone else I've talked to. No, Subtitles are not at fault.

Comment:

This is for all of you who actually READ the reviews instead of just looking at the rating. All of the aforementioned qualities ARE good. The movie, however, is absolute crap. Garbage. Everyone who has seen it has disliked it, ESPECIALLY longtime Lupin fans who have sat thru the (many times very poor) movies and TV specials. Please, if you love Lupin, buy this ONLY for the purpose of having a full collection. Of course, being an HK it's affordable, so not a problem there, but it's just plain a waste of time, and if you're NOT a Lupin fan, it *might* turn you off of Lupin for good, due to the fact that it is an attrocity. You have been warned. On the other hand, the menu system is great. I really like the menu. The menu cost me 10 bucks, and the craptastical movie was a free "bonus", I'm assuming.