Product Details

• Actors: Katsuhiko Watabiki, Hiroaki Hirata, Atsuko Tanaka, Ryūnosuke Ōbayashi, Mīna Tominaga
• Directors: Fumihiko Takayama, Takuji Endo
• Writers: Masami Yūki, Miki Tori
• Producers: Fumihiko Takayama, Takuji Endo, Kazumi Kawashiro
• Format: Anamorphic, Animated, Color, Dolby, DVD, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), Japanese (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), Japanese (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 3
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: Geneon [Pioneer]
• DVD Release Date: April 8, 2003
• Run Time: 102 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000089UBU
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,118 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Patlabor WXIII - The Movie (Ultimate Edition 3-Disc Set)" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Different but interesting view of Patlabor, March 30, 2003

By 

"waveworks" (Los Angeles, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Patlabor WXIII - The Movie (DVD)

True, it is a slow-pace movie. However, that aspect is major part of the story. In this movie, action is not the genre. So if you assume this is another mech action flick, it will disappoint you so badly and make you say it aint worth to buying or even watching. Because unlike other 2 movies and TV episodes, camera focuses on two detectives not 2nd team of labor department to lead.

Pro:
1. Beautiful and stuning visual
2. Nice study of biology
3. Detail background of both surroundings and characters
4. Great story line
Con:
1. No memorable music score
2. Mixed genre to may confuse most American audiences
3. Less action than any other

I waould say this is another master piece from Patlabor saga, and give it 5 stars without any question.
This review is based on theatrical release.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strange and surprising, September 10, 2005

By 

Richard Stoehr "Idle Rich" (Bremerton, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Patlabor WXIII - The Movie (DVD)

This movie is quite different from the previous two Patlabor films, which featured thick plots and excellent characterization against a backdrop of just-in-the-future Tokyo, where giant robots (known as "labors") do most of the work. In Patlabor 3, however, the giant robots are all but forgotten and the primary story is that of a police investigation which takes an extremely dark turn.

The familiar characters, the Mobile Police team, make only a quick appearance in this movie, and their Special Vehicles patrol labors don't really seem to have much to do even then. Most of the film centers around two detectives investigating why certain labors are being attacked near the shores of Tokyo. Just as their search seems to be leading nowhere, they make a dark discovery in the bowels of a building which opens everything up, and suddenly anything seems possible. I have to say, I started to watch this movie expecting something similar to the other two Patlabor movies, and I was quite surprised at the turns it took away from that angle -- surprised in a good way.

The odd thing is that, despite this, Patlabor 3 still feels like a Patlabor movie. The slow, mood-setting shots of industrial Tokyo, the strikingly beautiful animation, the skillful creation of suspense, and the soft musical score all hearken back to the other two films. There's not a lot of connection in the story, but there's still a great deal of connection in how the story is told.

And, taken on its own merits, it's an excellent movie. Lots of twists and turns lead you through a complex sequence of events to what turns out to be a very personal, even moving ending. The denouement of the film lacks the epic, world-shaking quality of the other two movies, but opts instead to leave the viewer thoughtful and sad, as the last few discoveries play against a tragic scene of destruction and death. It left me quiet and introspective as the credits rolled.

This is not the same Patlabor story that I've seen before, and it's definitely not quite what I was expecting. But it's still a fine anime movie, and well worth watching.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Marginal Patlabor, but intriguing, November 26, 2003

By 

"stch639" (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Patlabor WXIII - The Movie (DVD)

Like other reviewers, I agree that this anime is only marginally Patlabor, but that is not to say that it is not intriguing. A typical concept about the evils of genetic engineering is given a spin. A mother's love for her dead daughter leads to the creation of a horrifying genetically engineered creature, with the added angst of a young police detective who is attracted to the woman but has to finally confront the unavoidable fact that his object of attraction is responsible for a scourge of death and horror.
Design wise, this film can take its place with some of the best of modern anime. Camera angles, movements once again, make one forget that this is animation. One of my hallmarks of good anime is that the story, design, animation and music draws one into the STORY. Those of you who like me, love the Special Vehicles Group, might be disappointed that they dont make an appearance until the climax, but give this anime a chance. One more note, the music score can take its place with the first two films, some really beautiful cues are simply heartbreaking make this another winner. As I only have the import DVD, i cannot say who does this score, but its sounds mighty like Mr Kawai, who also did the first two films score. If you are the cautious type, by all means, rent this before buying.