Anime: Lupin the 3rd: Missed By a Dollar
Chimaera
Is it art, or is it the key to world domination? As Missed By a Dollar reveals within minutes, it is both, and Lupin the 3rd is eager to get his hands on it. A high class thief who delights more in the thrill of the chase than actually having the item in question, this adventure falls in nicely with other installments of the popular Lupin the 3rd series.
Jigen, Fujiko and Goemon are back and along for the adventure, as they team up to outsmart a clever vixen of a villain and her KGB thug intent on starting another world war. As expected, while the other team members have wildly different goals and motivations for getting involved, the entire team is clearly loyal to each other and each provide a unique and functional role. Through the use of disguises, decoys and deception, the four race through the entire globe to unlock an ancient Mayan riddle to try and keep the artifact out of the villain’s hands.
The whole premise is ultimately predictable but good campy fun and holds a few clever twists in the process.
Technical/Extras
Not elegant but not atrocious either, the art and production gives off a slightly ‘low budget’ feel, with vivid and sharp comic book colors. The music is well done, and the whole affair is consistent in look and feel to the series.
Rating: 6
Entertainment
The action begins right at the top of the movie and continues at a frantic, yet enjoyable pace. The characters are distinct and well done. The use of a female villain is quite refreshing as well. Even though the plot is largely similar to the Columbus Files – Lupin wants a valuable artifact, the artifact is essential for world domination, the villains want it as well, and wacky hijinks ensue all around. The execution of this standard-fare concept is much more entertaining than in the Columbus Files and the artifact in question’s role is a bit less hyper-dramatic – it is merely a means to unlocking a larger puzzle, rather than serving as the ‘end all to be all’ object of world domination that slices, dices, chops vegetables, pays your bills and washes your car at the same time with ease. Sprinkle in the obligatory appearances by the hapless inspector and you’re all set for another Lupin adventure.
Rating: 7.5
Overall
Highly more accessible to viewers who may not be familiar with the Lupin series and much more entertaining than the Columbus Files, Missed By a Dollar is worth checking out.
Rating: 7.25
Features:
Character Profiles (Nabikov, Sandy, Cynthia, Gilbert, Cooper, Lupin, Jigen, Fujiko, Goemon, Zenigata)
Photo Album
Mr. Stain on Junk Alley
Trailers (Samurai 7, Galaxy Railways, Dragon Ball Z, Degrassi: The Next Generation, WildC.A.T.S., Mr. Stain on Junk Alley, Z Store)
Episodes: None, this is a full length feature.
Package Extras: None.
