Mobile Police Patlabor 2: The Movie

What elevates a sequel over its original?

With only a few exceptions, it typically never happens. From the blinding of nostalgia glasses, lack of care and production that made the original great, changing the initial formula ever so slightly to differentiate itself, and the most sinister, but common one of all; a formulaic cash grab with no substance banking off recognition from its predecessor. Sequels can aspire debates from opposing sides of people’s enjoyment and criticism whether or not they are a cinematic success. For a sequel to be considered better, or on par with the original, it has to evolve. While subjective, evolving can mean a number of factors (but not all): A deeper look into the new or continuing narrative that opens up more possibilities, extensive care on improving character development and dialogue, having a more compelling or motivating reoccurring or new antagonist/opposing force, making sure it doesn’t break the established, core formula the original set-up, and presenting new ideas that won’t leave the audience bored or confused.

Mobile Police Patlabor, the long forgotten 80s – 90s franchise’s second movie, Patlabor 2, is the exception to the mostly true stereotype of a sequel not living up to the original’s heights, and goes above and beyond on how to do one correctly, even being more enjoyable and overall superior to its prequel in the most awe-inspiring and breathtaking way possible. Directed by Mamoru Oshii, with screenplay by Kazunori Ito, Patlabor 2 is an ode to excellence that one may not fully grasp on a first watch. It incorporates and takes inspiration from the many seemingly domestic and international issues Japan was facing at the time of the film's creation, including; the end of the Cold War and the aftermath events, the Japanese 1990 market crash, Japan Self-Defense Forces’ participation in the United Nations peacekeeping operations in Cambodia, and ideas of a military coup 'état due to terrorism, and transform these set ideas into something truly astonishing to witness and soak in while watching, and how basing events in real life to fit into an already set universe is one of the greatest and most riveting, authentic directing approach to make a movie excel in the highest quality possible.

Taking place 3 years after the events of the first movie, the audience learns first-hand how the military takeover of Tokyo by JGSDF (Japan Ground Self-Defense Force) commences and how martial law taken into effect, implanted with the belief of the JASDF (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) being the prime suspect of the terrorism done with the Yokohama Bay Bridge being destroyed, and the fake video tape used to cover the evidence. With Kiichi Goto, captain of Section 2’s SV 2nd Division, Shinobu Nagumo, captain of Division 1, and Shingeki Arakawa, they’ll seek to find and learn the culprit’s motivations, and put rest to the terror threat. With its stunning and atmospheric visuals, powerful music, and a heavily focused political narrative that moves away from Patlabor 1’s character driven, mostly mecha-action film formula, Patlabor 2 proves that a sequel with such drastic changes into a more mature, dark, philosophical setting and narrative can shine a new light on the creativity and depth of Patlabor’s already established premise, and succeeding into cinematic success with a compelling and engaging story, while also keeping in-mind older fans of the series not left out from these drastic changes the movie goes through.

Re-occurring characters and majority of the members of Section 2's SV 2nd Division besides Goto and Nagumo have very little screen-time and development than the prequel film, in favor towards establishing a very coherent, yet cryptic narrative with heavy subject matters of war, terrorism, and military takeover. While we get to witness characters maturing and moving on from 2nd Division in a realistic approach, some fans of the first movie may not appreciate this change, considering how fun and diverse the original cast was. With as much character interactions and character-driven narrative aspects the first film used, comprising those into Patlabor 2, in my opinion, wouldn’t have the same overall outcome that made the sequel a much more enjoyable experience, as the change to a dialogue and cinematic-driven narrative is a welcome change to mix up the initial formula of the first Patlabor film and the OVA that came before that. The main antagonist of Patlabor 2 is also a hit or miss for some who grew to really appreciate the depth and ideology of the opposing force in the first film, or have an appreciation for a well-crafted antagonist with clear motivations that drive him/her to proceed with their actions and oppose the protagonist. Patlabor 2 never really has that common occurrence with antagonist, instead rather surrounding their character with mystery and unclear motivations until the very end that are not directly addressed, but scattered throughout the movie their true motivations and purpose. This change, like the lack of character development, was an improvement from Patlabor 1, as being in constant mystery and suspense was more preferable than knowing right away why the main villain is doing what they are doing.

Thematic, visually impressive sequences and cinematography are scattered and in many numbers all over Patlabor 2. Each shot was delicately and aesthetically crafted into setting up the appropriate mood to drive the narrative forward, while also engaging the audience with very impressive shots. An example out of the many was after the tape of the bridge bombing is found to be faked, the next scene, ‘Wyvern’, establishes a suspenseful, seemingly confusing shot of the culprit attempting to cause panic to the JASDF with a fake attack of the Wyvern planes never being airborne, setting up tension and further explaining the motivations of the culprit behind the terrorist attack incidents. The way the planes moved, the dialogue, and control center all felt authentically real and intimidating. There were many instances when the more suspenseful and action sequences never once made me have to suspend my disbelief like most mecha shows/films do. I consider authenticity to be a very important aspect in these types of works, and Patlabor 2 nailed it with flying colors.

The next sequence, ‘Just War and Unjust Peace’ is a dialogue exchange between Goto and Arakawa about the contradictions of the supposed peace Japan has been fortunate with ever since the end of the Second World War; with Japan supplying different countries with weapons and military equipment to further the economic growth of their country with the cost of blood. Utilizing very well-done cinematography, and a fantastic track ‘Unnatural City I’ to incorporate the mood, and philosophical dialogue of opposing ideas of what war and peace truly mean, this is one of my favorite sequences in Patlabor 2. It demonstrates the core elements of what the movie is trying to portray to the audience with the duality between what’s right and wrong while also shining a light on characters’ motivations and their philosophy. More sensational scenes that will always be forever imbedded in my mind are the amount of times Patlabor 2 makes use of no-dialogue establishment shots of the setting, establishing the mood and atmosphere to build-up the narrative and tension. Some, but not all, include ‘Unnatural City’, ‘Gunship Attack’, and the final scene of the film. Patlabor 2 made use of constantly keeping me engaged throughout the entire film, having scenes that remain my all-time favorites in anime, achieving so much in such little time.

While not only leaving a huge impressions with its visuals and cinematography; the music, voice acting, and dialogue all blend in together very nicely to what’s happening on screen. Soundtracks will almost always leave a lasting effect and almost completely outshine the scenes in which they’re in. From the opening cinematic (which also was impressive on its own), to each individual scene going into heavy subject matters along with striking atmospheric ones, the music never once faltered. The voice acting, while some may find it dull, actually works in favor of this movie. The expressionless tone of some of the characters, like Arakawa, establish a mysterious and seemingly ominous aura around his character near the beginning of the film. It would make since too, that, the head police officers of their respected divisions wouldn’t be hysterical and frantic, rather calm and composed of what they’re doing, especially given the philosophical, almost seemingly cryptic narrative each will go into at certain times throughout the film.

From all the great characters, amazing soundtrack, and fantastic visuals/cinematography, Patlabor 2 truly is Mamoru Oshii’s magnum opus and quite possibly the best Japanese film I’ve seen in my entire life. Do yourself a favor and get invested in this world, you won’t be disappointed.