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Patlabor: The Movie
機動警察パトレイバー 劇場版
1989 100 min Japan 16+
★7.0
Action, Animation, Science Fiction, Mystery
Director: Mamoru Oshii, Kôji Sawai
💬 Based on the comic
«Patlabor»
byMasami Yūki
Trailers
Description
A mysterious suicide and a series of unmanned robot run-aways sparks off a Police investigation into the suspicious software on-board thousands of industrial robots around Tokyo.
Starring
Toshio Furukawa
Actor
David Jarvis
Actor
Doug Erholtz
Actor
Key opinion
Patlabor: The Movie is recognized as a technically grounded techno-thriller that trades traditional action-heavy spectacle for an immersive, hyper-realistic depiction of late-80s Tokyo. While some viewers appreciate its smart, atmosphere-driven investigation into urban development and biblical themes, others find the narrative thin and lacking in conventional excitement.
| Production | The film excels at rendering a tactile, realistic cityscape that serves as a compelling time capsule of pre-1991 Japan. | |
| Cinematography | The animation quality and artistic style are consistently praised for being pleasant and evocative, effectively establishing the film's gritty aesthetic. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is praised by some for its intelligent exploration of economic hubris and biblical allegory, while others perceive it as a thin and forgettable investigative procedural. | |
| Pacing | The film's focus on grounded, everyday police procedure creates a unique, laboratory-like atmosphere that polarizes viewers looking for the high-octane robot action typical of the genre. |