Forum - View topicPotlabor movies
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ShellBullet
 Posts: 1051 Location: I hit things, with my fist. |
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OK, I've heard alot of good things about the movies; but my question is how well they stand up on their own? I haven't seen any of the series and wondered if I should watch the movies. Or do you need to see the series first? Thanks if anyone can give me some help.
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zaphdash
 Posts: 620 Location: Brooklyn |
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I saw both of the first two movies without having seen the TV series or OVAs, and enjoyed them fine. I still haven't seen the third movie, but I assume it can probably be watched fine, too. I have since seen some of the TV series, and it's fantastic, so you should look into watching it too. But, to answer your question, no, you don't have to watch anything else before seeing the movies.
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areaseven
Encyclopedia Editor
 Posts: 1486 Location: Makati, Philippines |
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Just to let you know it's Patlabor, NOT "Potlabor."
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Burner
 Posts: 121 |
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maby he's talking about a rip off moive... like horry petter. 
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RantingOtaku
Posts: 219 Location: Sudbury, Ontario, Canada |
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all three are great (haven't seen the series or OVA's.... yet).
first: some nice twists, and one of those 'holy sh!t' endings.. the kind that makes ya really think second: haven't seen this in nearly 4yrs, don't remember much about it third: does not contain the original cast, it focuses on two of the regular police (a few original members have cameo's). It was nicely done, but I didn't like it all that much |
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crazydumbek
 Posts: 182 |
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I think that most of the original cast does not figure in prominently until near the end (haven't seen this in a while either). The two section chiefs have the most screen time of the original cast, since the movie explores one of the pasts of one of them. It's also worth noting that scenes from the first movie are featured in the KMFDM video "Juke Joint Jezebel". |
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mahoro
 Posts: 310 |
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The first and second Patlabor movies were very well done in terms of animation and storyline. However it is important to note that the first film features the majority of the SVU 2 aka the Patlabor Special Vehicle Unit 2, but the second does not. The SVU-2 unit consisted of a unique band of talented misfits: Shinohara Asuma, Izumi Noa, Clancy Kanuka (brilliant former member who helps out in times of crisis), Shinshi (whose first name I forget), Hiromi (forgot first name), loose cannon Ota (forgot first name), and the razor sharp Captain Goto. The OVA (came first), then, the television series and three movies. The OVAs are excellent with character designs by Takada Akemi the extremely talented character designer of Kimagure Orange Road, Urusei Yatsura and Maison Ikkoku! I highly recommend you get the OVA seasons one and two and watch them before you watch ANY of the movies. The first movie can standalone, but I do not recommend it as you will miss the importance of the characters and the dynamic relations of the teams. This series is NOT about mecha, villains or the Labors. Rather it is about the importance of human interaction, cooperation, and the dynamic often explosive personalities of the SVU-2 team. Watching them learn, grow/adapt and grow is extremely interesting and a refreshing change to the anime norm that is mainly eyecandy, flashy designs, and senseless action with little character development(s). This series also stresses how important it is to realize, that despite the advances of technology, people are important resources. The television series will introduce certain SVU- 1 & 2 team members that are not featured in the movies but, they are equally entertaining and intelligent. Also, the third movie carried the Patlabor franchise name, but not the stylistic storytelling and characters that made the series and first two movies revered by fans.
What made the first movie so memorable was the unique blend of theology, technology and storytelling in this suspenseful drama. Without giving away the entire plotlines the first movie dealt with the new creation of the HOS aka the Hyper Operating System by one man E. Hoba (I might’ve misspelled it) for Labor manufacturing giant Shinohara. Shinohara is the family business created by Asuma’s father, but due to family conflicts Asuma became a civil servant and was to sent to the wastelands of the SVU-2. Initially, HOS is an overwhelming success but suddently strange events occur involving the Labors and the HOS system. Labors restart up by themselves when completely turned off and run amuck. Add the odd and untimely death of the creator Hoba, the entire SVU-2 team races against the clock, to prevent Hoba’s manicial plan for creating (the how is a mystery and it is pretty impressive) a natural disaster of epic proportions from becoming a reality! There is just the right amount of tension, action, drama and suspense that makes thei film, IMO classic. Overall, I give this film one of my highest recommendations for any anime film and for fans of Oshii (famed director of Urusei Yatsura Beautiful Dreamer), you will be very pleased by this signature cinematography and directing. The music is excellent and perfectly blends the moods and suspense in this movie. One caveat, the current U.S. Manga Corps dvd edition has a few glitches resulting in pixellation in the master and this was not corrected; you will find these errors in all of the dvds for sale. The second movie is a political thriller that addresses the horrifying reality of terrorism. This is something many people can relate to especially after the events of 9/11 in the USA. In this film without giving away the major plotlines, an unknown attack is made in Japan by what appears to be foreign military forces. But, as Captains Goto (SVU-2) and Nagumo (SVU-1) investigate further they learn are shocked to learn it is the work of a terrorist group that wish to stage a coup d'état. This group is lead by someone formally very close to SVU Captain Nagumo, her former teacher. Her loyalty to Japan and the entire SVU force comes into question, as Japan comes under martial law and prepares for war on native soil. The second film does not include the fan favorite character of Kanuka Clancy. This film was intended as the final movie involving the entire SVU-2 team. The third film barely mentions and/or uses the original cast as created by the talented Headgear Team. Ultimately, I regard this film as a political thriller that some younger viewers might find too slow, overly philosophical and analytical. This film can be viewed as a chess game mainly involving the relationship of Nagumo to her teacher, and how Goto must unearth who is a traitor and anticipate how to best protect the city, while repressing his feelings for Nagumo. I do recommend this film however, I will note it is definitely a “thinking” film with little action. There are no known defects in this movie for the licensed version. |
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Dilandau
 Posts: 525 Location: Tea House |
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The 3rd movie is quite good and has very good animation. It actually has almost nothing to do with Patlabor. It is a good stand a lone movie, sorta dark and serious like Ghost in the Shell. The title is actually Wasted 13 [WXIII].
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mahoro
Posts: 310 |
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Really? My impression of the third film WWIII was pretty poor. Yes the animation was well done and the character designs and overall mood reminscient of GITS. However, this is not what the Patlabor series is known for. Heck Labors and the interaction of humans with machinery and the advancement of civilization barely came into play.
 Many loyal fans were disappointed with the storyline as it seemed to run with one of the original Patlabor OVA storyline regarding the "Creature from 1000 Years". Incidentally, if you are familiar with this episode, the uncanny resemblence to Hiromi was chilling. 
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Dilandau
Posts: 525 Location: Tea House |
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This is common with many of the movies [that there being very little to do with or only tangently connect to the TV series]. As a stand a lone movie, I liked WXIII.
Take the horrid movie of Escaflowne. In comparison with the TV series it is crap. But, independently (it still sucks but) it has all it needs to be independent. Also the complets alteration of genre of the Nadesico movie from comedy to drama. Again, as a seperate identity I loved the movie. You just cant compare it to the TV series. |
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mahoro
Posts: 310 |
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We all know why companies use established anime series names in standalone movies, which ironically NOTHING to do with the series it shares the name with. But, IMO it is only -natural- people will compare the third movie to the preexisting Patlabor tv, ova series and first two movies. Considering Patlabor WWIII did share the name as the series it was based on, comparisons were make and people were rightly disappointed that there was very little connecting the two. Companies know full well that a movie like WWIII would not do well without some connection to a preexisting series. And even though they did attempt to appeal to the Patlabor fans, WWIII did poorly. However, unlike with the Escaflowne movie where more than just the name was shared, the primary characters, major plot developments from the tv series were included in the movie but reinterpreted with new meaning. Although I personally do not like the movie, it is a hell of a lot better than WWIII which could hardly be considered canon. Just my two cents.
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