Patlabor II

Movie

CARL's TAKE: <<<One star>>>

Summary - Years after the babylon project in the first movie, another crisis is developing. An ex-mecha pilot from the U.N. who was left for dead in the jungle has come back to exact his revenge - by trying to ignite a civil war in Japan. The military has been framed to look like they're planning a coup, and are forced to barricade themselves in and establish martial law. Meanwhile the Labors (labor = humanoid mecha) Division is hit by a devastating surprise attack from the terrorists designed to take them out of commision. But they survive, and it's up to this patchwork remnant of the division to find and put the madman to rest, and soon, before the entire country descends into chaos.

Impression - Long, boring and dull. Just like real life.

Review - The movie opens up with a frantic mecha battle that makes no sense but looks really cool. I was ready for more, but was set up for disappointment. This movie isn't about Labors or the military, or even the civil war. It's a detective story aspiring to be a political thriller, but it falls flat on both fronts. There's a couple of high points of interest, but for the most part suspense is absent from this movie. The faded colors and bored, apathetic expressions of the main characters mirrored how I felt as it grinded on and on. I gave it half a star for realistic mecha and half a star for showing realism in anime. But entertainment is more than a plausible Tom Clancy-ish scenario, and this show was a waste of time.

VERDICT: Like most anime, I almost want to say it has even a little merit to warrant watching it. But otaku fanaticism aside, I would recommend just avoiding it.

MIKE'S TAKE: <<< >>>

BEN'S TAKE: <<< >>>