AKA: Kidou Keisatsu Patlabor 2 the Movie, Mobile Police Patlabor 2 the Movie

Genre: Mecha military thriller

Length: Movie, 108 minutes

Distributor: Currently licensed by Section 23 Films.

Content Rating: PG (violence, profanity)

Related Series: Patlabor: The Original Series, Patlabor 1: The Movie, Patlabor WXIII

Also Recommended:

Notes: Continuation of the Mobile Police Patlabor storyline. All rights earlier owned by Manga entertainment has been lost to Bandai.

Rating:

Patlabor the Movie 2

Synopsis

Ten years after the events of Patlabor 1, an airborne missile blows up Tokyo Bay Bridge, causing a government already tense with inner power struggles and ambition to suddenly fall apart, each faction pointing accusing fingers at the other. Military units and labors are amassed on each side, and an uneasy standoff occurs as each side stares at the other, waiting for someone to make the first move.

Meanwhile, the actual culprit is planning a major terrorist attack on Tokyo, vowing revenge for the destruction of his labor team while working for the UN decades ago. With the established government too busy squabbling amongst themselves, it's up to the Mobile Police to tread where bureaucracy won't in an all-out effort to save Japan!

Review

Again, the same caveat applies to Patlabor 2 as it did to Patlabor 1. If you want nonstop, edge-of-your-seat action, go elsewhere. But if you want a complex, intellectual thriller that will keep the gears grinding upstairs the whole way through, this one's for you.

The nuances and elements of the plot are even more complex and involved than in Patlabor 1, although it's slightly easier to keep track of what's generally going on in this one. The storyline is intricate and political enough to make Tom Clancy grin in his military uniform. Philosophical undertones ofthe nature of peace and war keep this movie smart, brooding, and highly engaging. People looking for fast -paced action, though, will be disappointed, as the movie is in no hurry to get to the end, making sure it gets each part just right before it continues onward.

The art, again, is very nice, and the few action scenes that are there are highly fluid and believably animated. The mood of every scene is well enhanced by the soundtrack (or clever omission thereof). The same irascible characters of the Mobile Police are still there, too, although Noa takes a strong back seat to Ohta and Nagumo here. Dubbing falls a little short in areas, but gets the job done.

In short, a very cool and intelligent flick for the thinking anime fan. Don't watch it, though, if you're looking for another Bubblegum Crisis or Riding Bean.

— Raphael See

Recommended Audience: Minor profanity, no nudity, some violence towards the end. Should be okay for all but the youngest audiences, although again, younger audiences might get bored with this one.