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diff --git a/content/reviews/anime_manga/patlabor-2-the-movie.md b/content/reviews/anime_manga/patlabor-2-the-movie.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8d1931f --- /dev/null +++ b/content/reviews/anime_manga/patlabor-2-the-movie.md @@ -0,0 +1,126 @@ ++++ +title = "Patlabor 2: The Movie (1993)" +author = ["Michał Sapka"] +date = 2024-04-26T22:08:00+02:00 +categories = ["reviews"] +draft = false +weight = 2006 +image_dir = "reviews/screenshots" +image_max_width = 765 +abstract = "My review of a masterpiece" +rating = 5 +image = "reviews/covers/patlabor-2-movie.jpg" +related = ["Patlabor movie timeline"] +relatedName = "2: Movie" +aliases = ["/brain-rot/anime/patlabor/patlabor-2-the-movie/"] +reviewSection = ["Anime movies"] ++++ + +Ok, this one is a difficult movie to write about. +For a _gajin_ it may come as a visually beautiful, but very convoluted movie. +But inside, it's deeply rooted in Japan's history and one needs to understand a few facts before truly appreciating it. +So, before talking about the movie, allow me to take a brief jump into history territory. + +After loosing World War II, Japan was under the USA's occupation. +Their post-war constitution ha a very important "Article 9" under which Japan was allowed to have defense military force, but it was to be never deployed on foreign soil. +After few changes, the defense force became Japanese Self-Defense Force, the _JSDF_. +Decades pass and the population kind of forgot about the WWII. +Mind you, Nagasaki and Hiroshima lives in their mindset, but war becomes something that was in the past. +In June 1992, the National Diet passed a UN Peacekeeping Cooperation Law which permitted the JSDF to participate in UN medicalonal Diet passed a UN Peacekeeping Cooperation Law which permitted the JSDF to participate in UN medical, refugee repatriation, logistical support, infrastructural reconstruction, election-monitoring, and policing operations under strictly limited conditions[^fn:1]. + +Amongst part of Japanese population it was seen as a dangerous precedence. +JSDF was, in fact, deployed on foreign soil. +Both creators of _Patlbor_, Mamoru Oshii and Kazunori Itō were vocal opponents of this decision. +_Patlabor 2: The Movie_ should be seen as their manifesto. + +So, knowing this I have to say: _Patlabor 2: The Movie_ is amongst the greatest movies I've ever seen. +I always say that for me, SciFi for SciFi sake is boring; it can be elevated by using the setting as a mean to tell a human story. +What's more, I like SciFi movies that are not action-fests. +And for both of those measures _Patlabor 2: The Movie_ **excels** all expectations. + +It is also a huge step-up from _Patlabor: The Movie_. +While that one had huge potential, but came out lacking in both, substance and form, the _2_ is a gigantic step. +There were only 4 years between release dates, but I am floored. + +Ok, back to the movie itself. +It's 2002, 3 years after the events of _Patlabor: The Movie_. +Yokohama Bay Bridge is destroyed by a missile shot from a variation of F-16 Fighter. +JASDF (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) is blamed for the attack, and a result JSDF is ready to deploy forces all over Tokyo. +Japan is close to martial law. + +{{< image class="centered" file="patlabor-2-movie-0001.jpg" >}} +Don't get used to the old main characters. +They are barerly here. +{{< /image >}} + +{{< image class="centered" file="patlabor-2-movie-0002.jpg" >}} +Even the trickiest of perspectives are spot on. +{{< /image >}} + +{{< image class="centered" file="patlabor-2-movie-0003.jpg" >}} +Not much for mecha fans, but quite a lot for aviation fans. +{{< /image >}} + +One thing to get straight of the way: there's not much of Labors here to be seen. +I think there are more shots of fighters and tanks, than there are of the mechs. +This _not_ a mecha anime even though it is set in a mecha world. +It's also not an action movie, as most of the scenes are two/three people talking. +_P2TM_ requires significant attention, as it's all about those dialogues. +The message is more said than shown and it may be not to your liking. +Anime is mostly known for imaginative fight scenes and fan service. +This not that kind of movie. +It's slow and methodical. + +But there are action scenes, and they are glorious. +_PTM_ was looking great; _P2TM_ sets incredible standards that are often unmatched even today. +I found it interesting, that the first portion of the movie uses very small color palette - everything is overblown, like in full sun, or lighted by fluorescent lamp. +People look more like cyborgs than living things. +Then, when authors start conveying their message, it all changes - the palette broadens and characters even get some tam. +Subtle and effective. +The city look incredible, the machines look amazing and characters no longer have perspective problems (like they had in _PTM_). +Overall, the presentation is perfect. +Unfortunately the style here seems mostly abandoned. +It's _distinctly_ Oshii and _Production IG_. +Anime no longer looks like this movie. + +The only nitpick I can find when it comes to the visual aspect is that in a few scenes the snow looks bad. +That's all. + +{{< image class="centered" file="patlabor-2-movie-0004.jpg" >}} +This made me feel things. +I'd give a lot for such audio setup. +It even has a great CD transport! +{{< /image >}} + +{{< image class="centered" file="patlabor-2-movie-0005.jpg" >}} +Basset, reporting in. +{{< /image >}} + +The music is great. +It's not _Ghost in the Shell_ but Kenji Kawaii is a master of his craft. + +The only negative I can find is the main villain. +He is absent from most of his movie and his motivations are hidden until the very last few scenes. +His work is ever-present, but he is not here... which is fitting. +Oshii said that the "evil" character here is himself. +Everything the villain say is what the director thinks. + +_Patlabor 2: The Movie_ is a masterpiece. +Oshii is one of the most brilliant directors in history, and this movie is one of his magnum opuses[^fn:2]. +It's not only something **every** fan of anime should watch but everyone who enjoys cinematography. +It's smart, beautiful and haunting. +It is also a very strong anti-war manifest. +It dares to put a mirror in front of our faces and _as of this_ type of movie, I fail to find any real flaw. + +{{< image class="centered" file="patlabor-2-movie-0006.jpg" >}} +There's some eye candy here. +{{< /image >}} + +\#+begin_image +It's not there are no mechs here. +They are, in very small doses. +\#+end_img-c + +[^fn:1]: Source: [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Self-Defense_Forces#Peacekeeping) +[^fn:2]: How many directors have achiever greatness on a few occasions? + Oshii certainly did! |