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I went into this movie expecting to hate it. I remember watching it way back with a friend of mine and recalled it being boring, weak and annoying. Watching it today, however, made me realize that despite my negative recollection, this movie is not that bad. I'd even go so far as to say that it's actually one of the better Detective Conan movies I've seen so far.

To start, I'll admit to a certain bias of mine: my Dad is part of the US Coast Guard. As such, seeing things like rescue helicopters and US military ships in a Detective Conan movie feels like ... a real treat. But it also helps give this film a way to stand out from the rest of the series. Add in a spy that threatens the safety of Japan and you've got yourself an intriguing 2-hour feature presentation.

It's also worth mentioning that Conan has a bit more agency than how much he usually gets in latter movies. The spy himself is one of the most menacing villains in the series so far and finding out the identity of the culprit is just so sad. That said, Conan calling Heiji to assist him admittedly feels a little tacked-on (it works cause he's in Kyoto, but still). Ran is still hopelessly dying for Shinichi to return someday(pun entirely intended :P). Other than that, only a few weak moments here and there keep this movie from being truly great (anyone tired of "using the toilet" yet?).

I also really liked the art style used in this movie, second only to movie 19. I LOVE painted backgrounds in anime and seeing it used here makes this movie very charming. The cinematography is also well done, successfully capturing the suspense and action in every scene. Admittedly, it does go a little over-the-top with scenes involving action and melodrama, but is still good nonetheless. The music is pretty standard with a few stand-out tracks that play anytime the Coast Guard takes action.

Overall, a pleasant surprise for an old fan like me. Because of this movie, I'm starting to feel a little more positive about watching the rest of the movies.

There was once a time when I really hated this movie. But after some consideration, I've decided that Detective Conan: Dimensional Sniper isn't all that bad and actually has enough merit to stand on its own as a good movie.

The one thing that really made upset about this movie is how careless Conan is. Despite how intelligent he is, he still ends up in dangerous situations that almost get him killed. While some of these incidents are out of his control, it doesn't excuse Conan from not taking extra precautions when dealing with a professional killer such as this one. Easily my least favorite part ... of the movie.

I also didn't really like the detective boys in this movie. Sure, they helped Conan figure out the "other dimension" trick and saved someone later on. But they just come off as ungrateful and oblivious to just how serious things are in this movie. A dangerous killer is on the loose! The least they could do is be a little affected by the situation. I'd also complain about Ran's flippant nature from wishing Shinichi were here to actually being awesome, but I guess that's just par for the course when it comes to these movies.

On the other hand, this movie has a really good serial murder case involving the FBI investigating a rouge SEALS sniper. The references to the American military and combat really appealed to me and was one of the key elements that helped me to appreciate this movie even more than I did before. The case itself was also very interesting, especially the twist that involved the "other dimension" bit.

In a surprise twist, the culprit(s) behind the murders are probably the most sympathetic characters in the whole movie series. To think just how much the culprit's life had been screwed other by his targets almost had me rooting for him to take revenge. But OMG, the Engrish in this movie is an absolute joy all throughout! Easily the best part of the movie.

With all things considered, I no longer despise this movie as I used to. In fact, I'd say it's (almost) one of the better movies. Certainly not top 5, but another solid entry in the series. Give this one watch when you can and see for yourself.

There's always been something special about this movie to me. For one, this was the only movie to consistently feature Kaito Kid as a driving force in the narrative. The 3rd movie was more focused on the mystery of the Faberge egg than Kaito stealing it. Movie 8 started off with an incredible confrontation only to forget about it halfway through. Movie 10 is a completely different beast altogether. While Kaito did have a strong presence in Movie 14, his role was more of a supporting character than Conan's cunning rival. Of all the movies to feature Kaito Kid, Sunflowers of Inferno is the only ... one to have him as an active character that stays faithful to his role as the pretentious thief he is. If there was ever a movie to accurately portray who Kaito is and what he does, this would be it.

Another thing is that this movie has very good pacing. Each scene moves on to the next in a way that feels natural and intentional. It does a good job of not overwhelming the viewer with too much information and the focus on Van Gogh's Lost Sunflower painting was an inspired choice for a movie.

Its also worth pointing out that this movie is quite possibly the best looking in the whole series. Everything's so bright and colorful that you can't take your eyes off of it. There are also some scenes that were very well-shot and animated. The backgrounds are very detailed and have a have a sort of water color aesthetic to them. If you can, definitely try to see this movie in high definition. It's pure eye candy.

Unfortunately, there is a blight on this otherwise enjoyable movie, that being who the true culprit is. Since this is a review, I won't spoil who it is exactly. But seriously, their motive is just so stupid! If you ignore the culprit and just focus on Kaito Kid, who is the whole point of the movie, than there's no problem. Even still, THAT was the best they had?

Despite my gripes, this is still a very fun movie and definitely one of my favorites. If you want a good movie with heists and famous works of art, than this is the one for you.

Ever since its release, the 20th Detective Conan movie has garnered both praise and criticism from its fans. Some say that it's one of (if not THE best) movie of them all. Others say that it's the worst movie and an abomination to the entire franchise. While I do have my fair share of criticisms, there are still some things that I find to be enjoyable about this movie.

First off, one must keep in mind that this movie aims to celebrate its 20 year history. That means everything is going to be a lot bigger and safer to appeal to long-time fans of the ... series. As such, it would be wise for newcomers to hold off on this movie until they are caught up with the series. Believe me, I'm fully aware of how frustrating that sounds. But this movie is meant for the fans who've managed to work their way up to this point. As such, accept it as it is and keep going.

Another thing is that despite what its adrenaline-filled opening might lead you to believe, this film is better appreciated as a slow-burner. Every event leading up to the final climax gradually builds itself up over time. As such, it may test viewers patience if they choose not to approach it from this point of view. You don't approach a comedy the same way you do with a tragedy. It just doesn't work that way.

That said, I can't defend everything this movie does. For a movie that celebrates the series' rich history, not all characters are treated equally. Mizunashi Rena, a character who had an entire arc revolve around her, only showed up more than half-way through the movie and disappears soon afterwards. It's another case where a movie tries to cram too much into its run time and not successfully making it a natural part of its story.

Not to mention its fairly easy to predict how everything will play out in the end. Pretty much everything in this movie lacks that satisfying punch whenever something major happens in the story. It wouldn't be far-fetched for someone to say that this movie is formulaic. People who are looking for unexpected plot twists may not find what they're looking for here.

But despite all of that, The Darkest Nightmare still has a plenty of redeeming qualities for me to still enjoy. The actions scenes are well-shot and animated(albeit, a few hiccups in the animation), the mystery woman is both a pleasant and sympathetic character, all the major characters contribute to the story, the Black Organization is still just as crafty and diabolical as ever, and the ending is both shocking and bittersweet. While not a very wholesome film, it still serves as a relatively harmless snack for series veterans to munch on as they wait for the next(canon) encounter with the organization.

I admit that this movie demands quite a bit to be enjoyed. As such, I can't exactly grantee that you'll love it. But no matter what anyone else may say, I still find Detective Conan: The Darkest Nightmare to be a fairly decent watch. Not a great film, but a good film none the less.

I came to this movie hoping to like it. When I first saw this movie, I really didn't understand it very well and ended up not enjoying it as much. But after re-watching Zero the Enforcer and loving it, I thought that maybe this time I'll love this film as well. But alas, that day will have to wait as Detective Conan: The Crimson Love Letter struggles to keep its audience engaged and ends up becoming a very hard to follow film.

As one will know from the summary alone, the film centers on Kazuha competing for Heiji's love in a game of Karuta, an ancient ... Japanese sport where players must swipe a card that is called out by a speaker. From what I can gather, it's like Bingo, except more aggressive and each card has its own poem associated with it. Since I knew this much, the Karuta games never bothered me that much this time around.

What does bother me is that almost all of the movie-original characters are very forgettable. With the exception of Momiji, the girl Kazuha is competing against, I couldn't recall any of the other characters involved in this movie. This is a real shame as this is supposed to be a mystery film and remembering who the suspects are and what they did is crucial for the audience to become involved in it. Easily the weakest link in this film.

That said, it's not a terrible movie. The art is fantastic and is still one of the best looking movies in the series. The scenes with main cast interacting with each other is still as entertaining as it is in the series. The fact that this is the movie where we are introduced to Momiji for the first time in the series is enough for it to be worth remembered for.

Overall, this isn't a bad movie. It's just not one that I can recommend. Not because I hate it, but because it's too difficult to follow. As such, newcomers are better off watching another(better) movie over this one. But if you already are a fan, just expect to have a trickier time following this one.

Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer successfully recaptures the magic of the first movies with excellent pacing, international stakes, and incredible characterization with its only flaw being an ungraceful translation.

From the bombing of the Edge of the Ocean to Kogoro's arrest, Conan must save his girlfriend's father and Japan from an international threat. This is definitely among the biggest movie in terms of scale and personal involvement as not only must he save Japan, but also his girlfriend's family.

The story coasts along a smooth and consistent pace that never bores the viewer and keeps them anticipating what will happen next. There is never a boring ... moment and (almost)nothing feels forced and unnatural.

Not only is the main cast in top form here, the film's original characters receive a lot of attention and development as the movie goes on. This is probably the most dynamic cast of characters I've seen in a Detective Conan movie so far.

That being said, a lot more could've been done to make this film more comprehensible. While the subtitles do a good enough job of letting the viewer know what the characters are saying, it occasionally struggles with explaining more complex elements such as the PSB's involvement with crime investigation and prosecution, both of which are essential to the film's story. Nevertheless, it's a gripe I can overlook since there's still a chance that a better translation will eventually replace the version I've reviewed.

I mentioned earlier that Zero the Enforcer captures the magic of the first few movies and I confess that it may be my nostalgia talking. I remember how amazed I was when I first saw The Time-Bombed Skyscraper and The Fourteenth Target. Watching this movie helped to remind me why I love Detective Conan(or at least the movies) and why it is such a great series.

So, yeah. I love this movie and I can't wait to see it again. If you have any doubts about this movie being worth your time, I can't convince you any more than this. You owe to yourself to watch this movie. And who knows; you might come away pleasantly surprised.