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  • Warning: Spoilers
    The 2 mecha's on the movie-poster only come into 'action' in the last 10 minutes. The first one get 's immediately hit by the super-helicopter they're fighting, tumbles from the bridge into the sea and is never seen again. The second one is completely static, only moves an arm to shoot it's big gun. They didn't need the mecha's at all, instead the soldiers could've mounted the gun on a carriage.
  • First off,the iconic robot only appear few minutes in the entire movie near the end. So the whole movie is about bunch of cheesy over the top Japanese TV actors trying to mimic the character that is more alive in the comic/anime, ironic wasn't it? Sadly, this formula has been repeated countless times in comic/anime adaptation of live movie in Japan, IT JUST DOESN'T WORKS~~! Stop asking actor to react cheesy and make expression like a scene out of a cartoon... in real life you get smack for behaving like a fool. The plot of the movie is a series of Japanese live action science fiction films part of the Patlabor franchise. It is divided into 13 episodes separated into 7 parts mini series released as a final film in May 2015.
  • Warning: Spoilers
    This is such a poorly made action movie I just can't find the words??? The effects are OK and it looks like if it had a way better Director or maybe the screenplay I can't tell.

    I'm so mad that I even watched the whole thing hoping that at one moment it will get better? Sad to say it never did. And the battle at the end with the stupid robots just standing there like duck targets in a shooting gallery with dumb six shooter looking pistols. What were they thinking when they designed some fancy robot and so low tech my kids toy robot is much more advanced. The reaction rate of the pilots are so slow you think an 80 year old man is faster is faster.

    Don't watch it please. What a waste of idea and execution.

    hwc
  • Finally decided to give this one a watch as I gave up on waiting to watch the live-action miniseries with english subtitles. And it turned out to be such a surprise!

    I knew this live-action would take place after the events of the anime movies, but I didn't know it would take so much from Patlabor 2's story, which is, hands down, one of the best animated movies of all time. For that reason, I regret not watching this right after Patlabor 2 when it was still fresh in my mind. The mood and philosophical themes are still here, even the soundtrack sounds exactly the same. The boat scene under the bridge is clearly an homage to the same scene in Patlabor 2. There's some siliness too, which used to be so common in the tv show and the animated miniseries.

    It is still possible to follow the story of this movie without prior watching of the live-action miniseries. Well, at least I felt like that it was a new story created for this movie. However, it definitely feels like I was missing a lot of the characters' backgrounds and sense of companionship from not watching these characters' adventures before.

    The action and special effects are awesome, yet it isn't what makes these series so interesting (especially the movies), so it won't be for anyone who's just looking for that.
  • As a fan of the original anime, not to mention someone who enjoys the work of Mr. Mamoru Oshii, watching Patlabor: the Next Generation was not a choice - it was destiny.

    Though the film is originally a series of ambiguous scenes, the feature quickly finds its feet. Set in modern times, Captain Keiji (Toshio Kakei) heads Section 2, a mobile police-force under threat of removal by the government. When the Rainbow Bridge is destroyed by Gray Ghost, an experimental helicopter stolen by a terrorist group, the Patlabor unit, comprising Akira (Erina Mano), Ekaterina (Rina Ohta) and Yuma (Seiji Fukushi), amongst others, must work with a mysterious Public Sector agent, in order to stopper future attacks, perpetrated by a woman from Keiji's past.

    Though the philosophical ideologies Oshii is known for remain ever present, these are occasionally kept to a minimum, the conversations often capturing the fun of the original anime, the use of humor heightening this effect. Moreover, conversations often seem authentic, with characters becoming distracted mid-sentence, or spontaneously announcing what comes to mind, before returning to the topic at hand. The included poetic language, though hardly colloquial, is very artful, however, the focus on communication pivotal to the thematic concepts, means characters are provided insufficient depth.

    The soundtrack adds poignancy to the film's atmosphere moreover, accentuating themes of solace, regret and mystery, and though some of the slow motion shots occasionally lose their appeal, other times, their execution develops the characters and emotions present in the scene. Additionally, a number of the aerial and wide angle shots are well directed, though at the same time, shots of the city, which encompasses greys and blacks, often appear quite dull.

    Moving on, over half an hour goes by before the first official action scene takes place, though it is certainly worth the wait. The collection of gun fights, explosions, hand to hand combat and car chases are incredibly entertaining, the female characters stealing the show during these moments with their dedication and proficiency. The included special effects generally appear not half bad, though every so often they seem quite exceptional. This aside, it is disappointing that the Patlabors, for which the movie is named, appear only in a minimal capacity.

    The film's final scene predictably ends inconclusively, with a possible future existing in this live action universe. Though criticisms could be made regarding the lengthy conversations and vague character backstories, this particular feature feels very much like an Oshii project, and for those who have appreciated his other live action films (Assault Girls) alongside the anime he is so well known for (Ghost in the Shell), this film is an enjoyably relaxing way to spend just under 100 minutes of your time.
  • There won't be much action because this Tokyo is try to recreate same as anime Patlabor 2nd movie. There are a lot of political involve why you won't able to see Ingram in action until last moment like any other Patlabor anime movie, they won't show up until the very last part of the movie when the higher up or Goto decide to take action against threat. Tokyo War is like Patlabor 2nd anime movie, former ex Japan solider decide to take action against Japan government and SDF involve. There are a lot of scene showing environment around city when two character talking in the movie just like in the anime when they make you explode the environment of the anime. Not to mention the movie soundtrack is amazing and very similar to Patlabor 2nd Movie.
  • yiuleungf14 September 2021
    A continuation of the famed 2nd Patlabor movie. The final scene which the girl uses the glove to remote control the Labor to shoot at the helicopter is iconic (you'll recognize this from the opening of the 2nd movie) and pretty amazing.