Story: 8
Lupin III, having just robbed a casino of it's cash (that is counterfeit), is now heading to the country of Cagliostro to find the source of the goat bills, while also attempting to save a princess from the clutches of an evil count.
While fairly standard compared to the more 'intricate' plots we often see in anime today, it was rather fresh for it's time. You could clearly map out what will happen in the movie early on, but never what actions the characters will take on their way there. In other words, the path to the finale is anything but a straight one. There are many twists and turns to be found, but none of them feel forced, resulting in everything flowing naturally.
Art: 10
Speaking of flowing naturally, the animation of this film is one of the best I've ever seen. The various amounts of scenery contained within this film legitimately look like actual pieces of artwork you'd see in a museum.
In addition, the action scenes are paced and animated beautifully. Notably, the car chase in the beginning (which has become infamous for how well-crafted it is). We get to see every second of the action and it never seems like parts were chopped out and rearranged. If you want to see some of the best action scenes in anime, then watch this.
Sound: 9
What makes the action scenes such a delight to watch (other than the fluidity of the animation)? That would be the soundtrack that accompanies it. It feels as if each track was crafted for a specific scene and wasn't just slapped on to fill a quota. If the action stops, then the music comes to a halt and only resumes when the action flares up again. It helps even more that the opening theme is just as great. It displays the serenity of the opening perfectly.
Character: 8
This film serves as a source of character development for Lupin. He is portrayed as a thief, but a caring one at that. While he could easily ignore the count's devious actions, he goes out of his way to save the princess first. This isn't something you'd see him always do in the original series.
As for every character, the count and princess are relatively one-note, but serve their purpose well. Every other side character doesn't actually get enough screen time for actual development.
Enjoyment: 9
This is literally a joy-ride of a film. It's incredibly fast-paced and knows the exact amount of attention each aspect should get. Even for those who are already familiar with Lupin III, there are still moments to be found that'll appeal to them. What comedy it does have is funny, but doesn't draw you away from the movie too much, which is a good thing in this case. In general, this movie is enjoyable, no matter your perspective on it.
Overall: 9
"Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro" is a joy for Lupin III fans, and a fresh take on anime for anybody else. You don't need prior knowledge to understand the themes that this movie conveys. It's a must-watch for anybody who wants to see the basis for many of the anime of today.
