Blog of Matti Paalanen - Reviews, thoughts and frozen silence

Patlabor 2 is one of the most interesting animation films ever produced in my opinion. It has compelling storyline, well written dialogue, belieavable characters and it doesn’t contain any of the so typical elements of japanese animation that I’ve come to hate (too much noise, too much speed, too much action and annoying character designs). Directed by Mamoru Oshii, Patlabor 2 is a modern political thriller that has very japanese vision and point of view. It has very strong soundtrack, composed by genius Kenji Kawai that enhances the atmosphere remarkably.

One of the remarkable moments in the film is a short monologue that is accompanied by drifting ambient soundscape and slowly scrolling views of buildings and scenery. The monologue offers us a view inside the mind of one of the characters and the combination of sound, images and the ideas entwine together in such a way, that the experience becomes quite compelling.

There’s not much I want to say about the storyline or the concept, let’s just say that it is a film definitely worth watching.

"I’ve watched C-Beams glitter in the dark near the Tännhauser gate" - Blade Runner, oh dear, what to say. Blade Runner is an image. It is more than an image, it is a realm. It is something that defines science fiction films to me. There are just so many elements that are so right in this film. The casting, the music, the way it looks, the way it moves, the way it turns. What is said and what is done. Why things are said and why they are done.

Long story short, just watch the damn film! I’ve seen it countless of times and I still get shivers when Rutger Hauer speaks in the rain.