Watch Patlabor: The Movie

Patlabor: The Movie is an animated science-fiction film released in 1989. The movie is directed by Mamoru Oshii and written by Kazunori Ito. The movie features the voice talents of Toshio Furukawa, David Jarvis, Doug Erholtz, and a host of other talented actors. The plot of the movie is set in the year 1999, in a future version of Tokyo, Japan. Here, technology has advanced to the point where giant robots known as "labors" are used for construction and public works. However, these labors can also be used for more sinister purposes, as was demonstrated in the opening scene of the movie, where a rogue labor goes on a rampage through downtown Tokyo.

The main character of the movie is Noa Izumi, a young female police officer who is part of the Special Vehicles Division. This division is responsible for law enforcement involving labors, and Noa is the pilot of an advanced labor called the "Ingram." Along with her colleagues, she must investigate a string of unexplained incidents involving labors.

Their investigations lead them to believe that the incidents are not accidents, but rather part of a larger conspiracy. The conspiracy involves a secret organization that is attempting to take control of Tokyo using their own heavily-armed labor force. Noa and her team must stop this organization before it's too late.

The main theme of the movie is the conflict between technology and humanity. The labors in the movie represent the power of technology, while the human characters struggle to maintain control over it. There is also a subplot about the relationship between Noa and her commanding officer, Asuma Shinohara. They are good friends, but their differing views on the use of labors cause tension between them throughout the movie.

The animation in Patlabor: The Movie is well-done and visually appealing, despite its age. The character designs are distinctive, and the mecha battles are exciting to watch. The movie's pacing is slow but deliberate, making it a bit of a slow burn. However, this pacing allows for more attention to be paid to the characters and their development.

The movie's soundtrack, composed by Kenji Kawai, is also worth noting. The music is atmospheric, with a haunting quality that adds to the movie's overall mood. The opening theme, "Midnight Blue," by Miki Matsubara is also a standout track, setting the tone for the movie right from the beginning.

Overall, Patlabor: The Movie is an engaging sci-fi thriller that raises questions about the role of technology in society. It also has strong character development and an interesting plot that will keep viewers engaged from beginning to end. Despite being over 30 years old, the movie still holds up today and is definitely worth watching for fans of the genre.