Lupin III: Strange Psychokinetic Strategy note was not just the first Live-Action Adaptation, but also the first Lupin III film ever made. It was released by Toho in theaters on August 3, 1974. Discotek managed to acquire the rights to license the movie in North America on DVD in 2006. Director Takashi Tsuboshima chose to make the first film an Origins Episode, instead of using the "Continuing adventures" theme that later anime movies would use. The Lupin III: Part 1 series was just getting syndicated now, and this film would tell the story of what happened before that series.
Lupin the Second, head of the world-wide criminal organization, the "Lupin Empire", is dead. Daisuke Jigen, last faithful member of the organization, has come to Japan to find the lost son of his boss, so that the boy can rebuild the fallen empire his ancestors created. Unfortunately for him, Lupin doesn't care about his father and grandfather's empire. He's too lazy to worry about creating anything like that. Jigen refuses to be dissuaded, and sticks next to his boss's son as much as he can. That's great luck for Lupin, as he's about to meet the most beautiful woman in his life, get attacked by assassins sent by an Italian mafia, and dodge several more schemes by the zealous Zenigata who's already trying to capture him.
That's the basic plot, which is ignored largely in favor of entertaining hijinks and slapstick comedy. Very similar to The Benny Hill Show.
Tropes used by this Film Adaptation (Live-Action):
- Dog Pile of Doom: When the nuns try to dogpile onto Lupin, he just sneaks out from under their legs. Then turns around to watch them some more.
- Film Adaptation (Live-Action): Adaptation of the Lupin III manga franchise. Completely original Origin Story.
- Impossible Theft:
- At age 5, Lupin III could already steal the panties a nun was wearing.
- After waking up in his shorts, Lupin walks into a department store. The camera blinks and the window mannequin has lost its clothes, while Lupin walks out fully dressed.
- Knockout Gas: Yellow smoke knocks out the police for the diamonds heist. Sprayed by a cymbals-crashing monkey.
- Live-Action Adaptation: of Lupin III.
- Mugged for Disguise: Done to Lupin by Fujiko, after he's helped her to escape from prison. Inspector Zenigata finds him unconscious near the women's prison wearing only a prison uniform shirt.
- No Hugging, No Kissing: Lupin's interest in Fujiko is clear, but the sly Femme Fatale is easily slipping away from him every time he tries to lean in for a kiss or wrap his arms around her. She doesn't care for you Lupin! She's just using you!
- Origins Episode: This movie tells us how Lupin meets Jigen and Fujiko, as well as why Jigen is so loyal.
- The Pratfall: Some of Lupin III's pratfalls, as performed by Yuki Meguro, are an art unto themselves – with a completely stiff, still body, he falls straight back like a cartoon cat recently hit by an anvil.
- Prison Escape Artist: Fujiko needs Lupin's help to escape from jail. He promises to free her in exchange for a date. Of course, just because he's successful at getting them out, doesn't mean he's going to get anything in repayment.
- Scooby-Dooby Doors: Lupin and Jigen are relaxing in an abandoned construction area for the night, with man-sized concrete pipes all over the place. Zenigata and his subordinates come looking for Lupin. Jigen expects a fight, but is told to leave by Lupin. Lupin leads the cops on a merry chase with the pipes substituting for doors, even sitting down to a picnic in the middle of the chase while the police officers are running around the construction site trying to capture him.
- Slapstick: Using slapstick comedy is how, even if the plot can be said to be non-existent, the movie itself remains entertaining. Watch it in the mind of a series of slapstick scenes held together by a larger plot, and you'll wet yourself laughing at the cast's loony antics.
- This Page Will Self-Destruct: Spoofed
- The first video message from the Maccherone boss to his Japanese associates announces it will do this, the associates escape from the home, hear a boom... But it's the nearby volcano. As for the message... The self-destruct mechanism was defective.
- The second announces it will not explode... Then there's a boom, and explains that for this time they'll only get the sound effect.
- Undercrank: Used in most of the chase scenes, especially the one in the construction supplies.
