Description: A madcap adventure which spans the globe from the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania to the land of the Pharaohs...A deadly mystery which races from the sidewalks of Paris to the shores of a tropical paradise, all in pursuit of a world-class art collection--by theft!
Amazon.com: Created by manga artist Monkey Punch in 1967, Lupin III is a master thief, the direct descendant of Arsène Lupin. His off-the-wall escapades spoof the adventures of James Bond and similar rakish heroes. The typically baroque plot of "Mamo" requires Lupin and his sidekicks, the super-samurai Goemon and the beatnik Jigan, to steal the ingredients needed for a compound that produces eternal youth. The mastermind behind this scheme is the mad billionaire-industrialist Hayward Lockwood, a.k.a. Mamo. Lupin's clumsy attempts to seduce Mamo's voluptuous red-haired agent, Fujiko, and his successful evasions of the obsessed Inspector Zenigata provide additional comedy. The features and TV programs in the Lupin III series are much cartoonier and slower paced than more recent anime comedy-adventures, although their influence on Ranma 1/2 and other Japanese tongue-in-cheek heroes is clear. The animation is sloppy, Lupin's features change from scene to scene, and his hands frequently look like scribbles. The Mystery of Mamo is too silly to work as an adventure, but not silly enough to work as a farce, at least in this English version. --Charles Solomon
Certainly no Castle of Cagliostro Oh, what a huge difference a director makes. Where Lupin the III: The Castle of Cagliostro (Special Edition) had atmosphere, inventive visuals, coherence and plot Mystery of Mamo has blandness, cheap backgrounds, confusion and silliness. It IS good for a single viewing and features a couple of pretty good action scenes but, I'm afraid, beyond that it's just as forgettable as any other random Japanese cartoon.
Lupin III has been cloned and killed and the ever highly-strung Inspector Zenigata rejoices but it turns out that some being from another dimension in the form of a dwarf freak and a huge disembodied brain is behind the whole charade and involves the real, living Lupin III in some cockamamie plot. Don't even think about trying to follow this tripe.
There's no charm or appeal to Mystery of Mamo and while there's plenty of visual humor and the characters we love, they deserve a better film. Go watch Lupin the III: The Castle of Cagliostro (Special Edition) instead.
The DVD features a murky 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer and a dull Dolby 5.1 sound design. Extras are minimal.
Lupin Rocks! The artwork in this movie is a little different from the usual Lupin the 3rd art. But I thought the movie was really good. You'll watch it more then once.
A great movie that stays true to its roots This is the best adaptation of Monkey Punch's Manga. Unlike the acclamed 'Castle of Cagliostro', this film is very true to its original form. The main characters often quarrel, which is rarely or never seen in any other Lupin films.
Mystery and Secret of Mamo Vs. Clone Whatever the name for the first theatrical film outing for Lupin the Third and Co., this is certainly an oldie but a goodie. Reviewers disappointed in the animation should note that the film is as old as the first Star Wars flick. Originally released as Lupin VS.Clone , the film was given the tag "Mystery of Mamo" after it's early 1980 World Con english premiere. In this film the talented animators went back to the original mangas (that means comics)stories from creator, Monkey Punch., who envisioned Lupin as amorous bad guy who loots from worse bad guys. A higher degree of sexual content (Austin Powers flavored) and violence than the show typically would delve into, is going to be a shock for viewers of Cartoon Net's Adult Swim Lupin series. In the film, Lupin follows a plotline worthy of classic James Bond films. A eccentric millionaire named Mamo thinking himself God is seeking a stone that may grant eternal youth is Lupin's nemesis.Lupin's lust for the well endowed Mine Fujiko(working for Mamo) is finally causing a rift with his partners Jigen and Goemon. Add to this the U.S.Govt, suspects Lupin is helping Mamo blackmail the world with threats of a global nuke strike and you have one very entertaining 2 hrs.The success of this film paved the way for the making of the landmark second film Lupin: Castle of Cagliostro by Miyazaki, and so it is noteworthy .
Excellent and Smooth First of All, for any of you who shop for imported subtitled DVDs at conventions [...], this was originally called the "Castle of Cagliostro" and shows Lupin standing tall with white bandages on his head, with a castle in the background. This was a great movie. I love the cool soundtrack and the clothing and how everything in so "in style." I also love how Lupin is an escape artist. This is worth every penny. Also, if you like Luypin the 3rd, check out animetoxic.com and search for the excellent prequel film, "Episode 0: First Contact."
Other DVDs not released from Pioneer or FUNimation:
Episode 0: First Contact TV Special Return of Pycal TV Special Lupin's Retirement
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tony's Online Tips
Trevor
