Review: Lupin fans know the score. They know what's appealing about everyone's favorite pervert thief. It's the clothes, the swagger, and the attempted suaveness that tends to blow back in his face. Monkey Punch's manga/anime anti-hero has been nothing short of a Japanese line-art legend since his 1967 debut and, thankfully, his 1974 live-action outing doesn't tarnish his reputation in the least.

From the opening frame to the closing credits, director Takashi Tsuboshima never lets up on the Kraft-work. This is cheese at its purest; unfiltered in dangerous quantities and channeled through Acme-level slapstick that covers every base short of bringing in Wile E. Coyote as a guest star. Zenigata gets flattened like a pancake, Lupin's head gets more blows than a pack of Juicy Fruit, and Jigen does gunplay like a trick-shot pool player. Fujiko– well, Fujiko's just sexy as hell.

This is one of a handful of things that makes STRANGE PSYCHOKINETIC STRATEGY an all-around fun Lupin flick. Some may be disappointed that the main caper seems to come second to all the ridiculous antics, though. There's a pretty good amount of screen-time before it even gets introduced along with the mysterious Maccherone organization. Other than the great psychokinetic statue swindle and some small-time heisting, we're also treated to somewhat of a Lupin origin story. The movie sees the purloining playboy meeting gunman Daisuke Jigen and pussycat doll Fujiko Mine for the first time, and later in the flick we even get a comedic glimpse of Lupin's childhood.

None of it would get off the ground if there wasn't a competent cast involved. The best direction in the world couldn't save a floundering portrayal of Lupin, for instance, but that's not a problem. Yuki Meguro (SHOGUN) is fantastic in the titular role. Most importantly, he's likable. A role like this one requires heavy doses of charm to offset Lupin's off-the-wall womanizing behavior. But he wears the suits like a pro, and the scarf flows to the side of his charming smile like a flag letting would-be casanovas know who the boss is.

The supporting line-up is a pretty solid beast, too. Kunie Tanaka (ZATOICHI'S PILGRIMAGE) makes for a slick Jigen, striking some of those memorably nonchalant poses at key moments. While Hideko Ezaki's Fujiko doesn't sport the same nuclear chest bombs as her cartoon counterpart, but the curvaceous cat-burglar hits all the right notes of allure. Even Zenigata, played by Shiro Ito, chases Lupin with constantly compounded frustration and incompetence.

Of course, not everyone is going to dig 82 minutes of Looney Tunes absurdity. If this doesn't sound appealing in the least then don't bother. Lupin fans, however, should watch this without hesitation, regardless of whether or not visual gags are your bag. By Lupin standards, the music is a little low-rent, but there's plenty of waka waka wow guitar funk to keep the action grooving. The most impressive aspect of the film is that at any given moment, you can almost squint and picture the on-screen action as an insert to the anime. If that doesn't get you japanese cartoon kiddos all tight in the pants, nothing will.