'Lupin III: The Gold of Babylon' has somewhat of a bad reputation among Lupin fans, and it is not all that hard to see why. Personally didn't think it was that bad, but for a Lupin film it is disappointing.
Have to agree that 'Gold of Babylon' is one of the weaker Lupin films, and that it has nothing on the previous two Lupin films. The very impressive first feature film of his, 'The Secret (goes under Mystery too depending on where you're from) of Mamo', despite a confused and strange final third it is the boldest Lupin film and the most faithful perhaps to the manga. And the outstanding 'The Castle of Cagliostro' (my first Lupin film and my favourite), also one of my favourite animated films and Lupin at his funniest and most exciting. It is watchable, though really for Lupin completests as a one-time viewing.
Starting with the good things, most of the animation is not bad. The backgrounds are nicely detailed and fluid and the colours are lively. The music score is dynamic, beautiful and groovy and a good fit with what's going on.
As always, Lupin's friends are very entertaining and it is hard not to image a Lupin film without film because they add so much. Some of the action is fun, if never on the same level as the helicopter, police and lorry chase in 'The Secret of Mamo' and particularly the opening chase sequence in 'The Castle of Cagliostro'. The voice acting is quite good.
On the other hand, while the rest of the animation is not bad, the character designs are quite ugly and sloppy in movement. Particularly for the secondary characters, that are more at home in heavily stylised US animation. For those wanting humour and excitement, they will find themselves a little short-changed, there are odd splashes of humorous moments but too far and between and other action-oriented parts lack lustre (for a big Lupin chase sequence, this one is pretty pedestrian).
Zenigata served very little point to the story and his subplot added nothing and felt rather irrelevant and the villain is shamefully underused and incredibly dull. Lupin is at his least likable and most annoying (when he is usually fun and charismatic) and there are stereotypes that won't bode well.
Faring weakest here is the story, which has far too many uncomfortably bizarre touches that feel misplaced for Lupin and a lot of it is ludicrous and even for Lupin implausible. Then there is the final act, where the weird completely spirals out of control and the final twist is bizarrely ridiculous.
In conclusion, has one-time completest watchability value but far too strange and proof that not everything to do with Lupin turns to gold. 5/10 Bethany Cox
