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Patlabor 2 Director: Mamoru Oshii Number of Items: 1 Format: Color, Animated Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Running Time: 118 minutes Studio: Ryko Distribution - Video Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2000-09-26 Buy from Amazon

From Amazon.com Labors are giant construction robots piloted by humans, and the Patlabor team is a mobile police force whose job is to protect the population from people who might hijack or sabotage these powerful tools. Though events of the first movie called Labor technology into question, the needs of big business outweighed the concerns of citizens, and eventually they came back into common use. The military had also begun to adopt and adapt the technology, amidst some controversy. The story picks up with a terrorist attack on a Tokyo city bridge. The suspects include Americans who want to destabilize the Japanese government, corrupt forces within the Japanese government who want to increase military spending, and Tsuge, the genius of labor technology who was misused by the government three years prior. The animation is gorgeous, particularly the cityscapes and long shots, but that's not surprising coming from director Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell). Sparkling animation would mean very little without a good story or good characters, which Patlabor 2 has in spades. At the core of the story is a quiet dialogue about the nature of peace in post-WWII Japan--how the peace has been unjust because they've ignored poverty-stricken countries in times of prosperity. Then it's back to unraveling the conspiracy and the requisite action-packed ending. These Patlabor movies are excellent, and not just for fans of anime. --Andy Spletzer

Customer Reviews: Total numer of reviews: 33 Average rating: 4.5 "Drag of an anime movie...." This is NOT your typical Cowboy Bebop action anime. Rather it's about political intrigue and dialogue after diagolue that it left like I was watching a radio-show. Absolutely boring. I didn't care much for the animation either or even the characters. The characters look japanese this time, unlike what we're used to. I guess they want to make the story a more realistic trying to deal with mordern day issues. There's barely any action. I must admit that I couldn't finish the movie because it was way too boring with all the cloak and dagger stuff going on. Likely, I was able to get this from the public library. I would have been upset if I rented this movie. This movie is recommended to hardcore anime fans. Those of you looking for action, humor etc go watch Cowboy Bebop or something like that. Not this movie!!! "Conversations...Yes! Action....No! Worth it... Hell yes!!!" The movies of Patlabor have always set themselves aside from their various TV incarnations. They have also been independent, that is to say that a new viewer can watch the movies and still feel as if they understand the characters and their universe. 'Patlabor the movie 2' is a cold departure from the events of the first movie. Those expecting the same volume of commedy or action will be dissapointed. The story centers itself on two very prominent yet often over looked characters, captains Ohda and Negumo. Although always featured in the TV shows they were never really fleshed out or showen to have different sides to their personalities. Here they shine in the stark cold setting. The film will appeal to Patlabor fans and those fond of technological and political thrillers. As in the last film, offensive action is saved for the climax and is complemented by a very well written and touching finnale. The essence of this film is focused on realisim and authenticity, as such there is a real worldly detail to the set design and characters. So much so that in places it is quite possible to forget that you are watching an animated feature. Anyone dissinterested with the doe-eyed designs and fan-service filled shows that they have come to associate with all "Anime" are strongly advised to give this a viewing. "Expect more of a political flick" You get to see the labor robots only in the beginning and maybe 7 minutes at the end of the movie. Most of the movie drags on but its pertty good anyways. Its different, i really loved the first movie better "6 stars" This was an amazing movie. I am not a not of patlabor the tv series & after a couple, will not be keen to pursue it. But you don't have to be a fan of patlabor to enjoy, what I think is the BEST of the 3 patlabor movies. Everyone said the first one was the best. I disagree. This is the best because the dialogue & ideas presented is so thought-provoking that it is still relevant today, like the first Matrix. And the action that occurs toward the end is amazing in terms of damage. I am a fan of Mamoru Oshii's work & I think this is the best of his work. THe visual palette & detail is beyond compare. It was breath-taking to watch. I would just turn off the sound & play it on TV like a screensaver. I highly recommend this movie, especially you like clever dialogue ala British tv Yes Minister & inferential/deductive reasoning. Enjoy a great film "An Excellent Chapter in the Continuing Saga of "Patlabor"" Having been introduced to and exceedingly impressed by "Patlabor" through the series' first feature release, I was eager to procure for myself its second: "Patlabor the Movie 2". Directed by Mamoru Oshii (infamous for his work with "Ghost in the Shell"), the second "Patlabor" film manages to be even more outstanding than the first, with greater detail of animation and fluidity of character, and outfitted with a gorgeous--albeit somewhat "functional"--soundtrack. Presuming that the viewers are already familiar with the colorful, vaguely-misfit characters of the Special Vehicles Division 2, admittedly there is not much interaction between them to flesh out their personalities and their relationships with one another; yet that is almost unimportant. "Patlabor 2" is a techno-thriller of the highest caliber, a "What if?" that scrutinizes honestly the possibilities that rocky political circumstances could unravel today: it is a frightening film in its realism. However, being "Patlabor", there are moments of lightheartedness and humor as well, and a few very profound scenes that wrap up loose ends from the +300-episode TV series nicely. While the film focuses primarily on Captain Nagumo and her relationship with her former teacher (who was also her lover), who now has become SVD's most wanted terrorist, Noah, Azuma Shinohara, and all the others of the Mobile Police appear to help resolve the conflict in the end. While it is true that there is less action in this anime than some others, much of the beauty of this film comes from its languid, dreamy screen shots that so gracefully meld into exquisite, edgy cityscapes and artistic environmental punctuations. (I daresay people who find this movie "boring" simply from its pacing are unwilling or unable to exercise their minds to comprehend anything beyond the rapid-fire scene sequences they are accustomed to.) "Patlabor 2" is a beautiful, intelligent film, precisely written and driven by universal motivation of character; and unlike many anime films nowadays, there is very little content to it that parents might find objectionable for their children, aside from some language and more mature political themes. In my opinion--and judging from what the majority of reviewers have written here--it's an instant anime classic.