Rewatching Prison of the Past

[Seroster]

I need to cheer myself up so I thought I'd rewatch Prison of the Past.

The opener is pretty good. Lupin was actually captured (!) but escapes thanks to help from Jigen and Zenigata, hehe. Worth noting that Fujiko stops the police by firing explosive missiles at the road. Go Fujiko!

Then it's on to the prison where this other thief, Finnegan, is going to be executed, and we get some background.

 

[Seroster]

Watched another chunk.

Not sure how I feel about all the extra thieves. They do serve as comic relief though.

Goemon gets to be the one to get some background exposition. It feels pretty natural but it's a step up from specials where he gets less time.

There's a nice moment where Lupin and Zenigata have a ludicrously detailed conversation with just a few hand gestures. They DO know each other well.

 

[Seroster]

A few random closing thoughts -

First, Zenigata is kind of adorable in this. There is a point at which he says to Yata (if that's his name) "That's the kind of ridiculous guy he is" when Lupin has done something great, while also kind of tearing up. Towards the end he seems perfectly, 100% happy to clean up the mess - make sure the real villain is behind bars - and then to chase Lupin after. Also there are some great teamup moments like when Zenigata and Jigen are chained together.

Second, this one is kind of drawing on Castle of Cagliostro a bit. Both involve Lupin and the gang being asked to save a kingdom. Both stories involve some large scale stonework being moved around. In this one, we have a prince rather than a princess, but what the hey. I liked that we had both the prince and the warden, who is no slouch at fighting when it comes down to it.

Third, on the downside, it does take a looong time to wrap up.

Anyway, I think that if they could have left out the final missile or something, that would actually have been better, but this is a very enjoyable special with some good plot twists.

 

[Tsushi]

Imo one of the best newer specials, but still has some weak parts. I really liked Yata having some character in this, stealing a gun, being a bit slow on the uptake. Part 5 and 6 have failed to give him as much character as this shorter entry. I liked the roles each of the characters had in this, Zenigata especially is very good in it, which is rare for the movies.

 

[Seroster]

I think it's good for Zenigata to have someone to talk to because it enables, well, dialogue. Yata did have some character in it which was good, but I can't help but think of the scene where he as well as Lupin and Fujiko are looking down into the courtyard while the "arms sale" is going on. Yata has stolen a giant ass gun, maybe that's the one you're thinking of - technically, an "anti-material rifle" I think - that was good. He then proves to be a completely incompetent shot! I mean really!? hehe