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Porco Rosso




  • 017 4  The opening scene of Porco Rosso shows that the year is 1929 , a decade after the First World War . This is depicted on the cover of the magazine Cinema , which rests over Porco Rosso's piggish face . It was a time of high tension throughout Europe and the Mediterranean Sea where the story takes place . In Germany the Nazi's were gaining strength while planning their conquest of Germany and later Europe with the possibility of the world . Italians were under Il Duce's iron rule , as he commanded the Fascist party , the only party allowed . Nineteen twenty-nine was just years before Francisco Franco's control in Spain with a Fascist ideology . What is most alarming is that 1929 was only one decade away from the Second World War , which was slowly brewing throughout Europe . In essence , Hayao Miyazaki literally depicts the year that was in-between the two World Wars , but his film also turns into a political allegory for the that time . This allegory is depicted through a flying pig that defies political undercurrents by collecting bounties on outlaws and trying to stay outside the boundaries of society . Porco Rosso , once a man , now a pig due to a curse , flies for himself only , as he collects bounties and makes life sour for air pirates that terrorize the Mediterranean Sea . Porco lives a lonely life in a hide-away somewhere in Mediterranean Sea where he bathes in the sun when he is not hunting flying pirates . Isolation seems to be Porco's way of dealing with his appearance and the only excursion from his personal island is done with help of darkness . At night shadows help veil his pig face , as he visits his favorite hangout , Hotel Adriano . Miyazaki does a marvelous job in his creation of the character Porco who portrays dispositions such as selfishness , cynicism , and gloom through a pig without hope of being something better . The idea of using a pig is also remarkably brilliant , as the pig is often used as a symbol for greed and sloth . Porco's laziness is depicted through his sunbathing and his inactive participation in politics and society , as the world around him is once again about to crumble . The persona and attire of Porco brings a mood that is experienced through many film noirs where cynical characters meet in sleazy and ominous atmospheres . This is evident when Porco visits Hotel Adriano for the first time when all his enemies are present . The film noir that Porco Rosso offers also augments the cinematic value of the story , as it authentically depicts the time period . The cynicism is further enhanced if the audience reflects on the political atmosphere of the 1930s in Europe where politics divided families and neighbors turned each other in due to different beliefs . In the middle of this an American pilot , Donald Curtis , arrives to claim fame and secure a spot in Hollywood , and maybe later the Presidency . When Curtis for the first time hears Madame Gina sing at the restaurant at Hotel Adriana he falls in love . However , he does not know that her love belongs to another , even though this other does not know . Curtis ' reason to come to Europe was to have a dogfight with the infamous Porco Rosso and he finds his opportunity when Porco is on his way to get his plane fixed . This is the way he wants to claim his fame by shooting down Porco , which he successfully does as Porco's plane has a motor problem . Somehow Porco succeeds in getting his plane through Italy and to Milan where Paolo Piccolo a skilled airplane mechanic that he trusts lives . When Porco arrives he discovers that the Paolo's 17 - year old American granddaughter is more or less running the show . Initially , Porco is suspicious and wants to go to another mechanic , but is convinced to stay . Fortunately Porco's suspicions are groundless , as his suspicions seem to be more sexist than based on facts . When the plane is fixed Porco can return to his life , as a bounty hunter , but the political climate has changed and it seems to have put Porco in a spot where he is forced to take a side . Hayao Miyazaki's Porco Rosso is a fantastic animated journey that also makes a strong political statement . The film entertains young and old , but also leaves a lot for the audience to ponder while the magnificent animation transcends into the mind through vibrant colors and detailed lines . Cleverly , Miyazaki communicates his story through an obvious storyline that is visually explicit , but also hidden in visual codes and symbols . This means that the film is multifaceted with several ideas that can have an audience member scratching their head for a long time . The story also keeps the viewers on the edge of their seat , as nail-biting suspense leaves the audience guessing what will happen next . Ultimately , this cinematic masterpiece leaves the audience with a fulfilling experience that offers something for everyone .
    • 003 4  During the first few minutes of Porco Rosso , I was thinking , ' okay , this is . . . . . different . It's good but I don't think it's exactly gonna be Spirited Away or Naussicaa ' . I should have known better . It IS different , it's not Spirited Away or any other Ghibli movie before or since , but it is , in its own bizarre way , just as good . Studio Ghibli seems to be incapable of delivering anything short of true excellence . The title character is a grumpy bipedal pig who flies a World War I-era airplane in the Mediterranean in the years between the two world wars . Once human , Porco has adopted an air of disinterested apathy to cover his feelings , but he finds himself drawn to a group of people in Italy after his plane is shot down by a rival pilot , rendering Porco unable to make a living protecting transport and passenger ships from pirates - some of the most gloriously incompetent pirates imaginable , by the way . Porco Rosso ' is suitable viewing for the kiddies but may be , in general , enjoyed more by an older audience - in addition to the soaring air battles and action-packed climax , there's plenty of romance , dry humor , and subtle political commentary . Regardless , it has the Ghibli charm , and is likely to have something for almost everyone . A truly one-of-a-kind movie ( ask youself this : when was the last time you saw a movie about a trenchcoat , goggles and fedora-wearing pig piloting a brightly painted red airplane and fighting sky pirates ? ) and another jewel in the glorious Ghibli crown .
    • 004 4  I've been a Miyazaki fan since the late 80s , but I just enjoyed Porco Rosso for the first time . As I've only seen it once , I won't say much , but I have to add another 5 stars for this fantasmagoric film . Over the years , many reviews have touted this film as one of his best , if not his best . It could be . And that's saying a lot . The animation is absolutely magical : mesmerizing and exciting . The magical realisn is right on : think Gabriel Garcia Marquez at his best . The plot and characters are compelling . This film delivers everything the often misused animation medium promises : the creation of a reality at once real and fantastic . By the way , I prefer the Japanese voices to the dub , and not for anime purist reasons . It's just that Keaton's voice is too soft and tenor for the character . The Japanese actor's voice is dead on . This is a great movie .
    • 005 4  I'm probably going to be in a minority in naming this my favorite film , better even than Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke . It's different from most of Miyazaki's other movies , in that the protagonist is middle-aged and most of his character development is subtle . It pays off in a tone that is considerably more adult than anything Miyazaki has done before or since - regardless of the slapstick air pirate sequences . One of the other reviews here says Porco has become a pig due to a tragic accident . As far as I can tell , he became a pig because he was disgusted with humanity ; whether he did it to himself deliberately or whether it just happened seems ambiguous . For my money , Porco's description of his near-death experience during the war is one of the best scenes ever animated . I should note here that I've only seen a Japanese version , with somewhat poorly synchronized English subtitles . I don't care about the dubbed version at all , in fact . ( There is a French language version with Jean Reno as Porco . That would be worth seeing . )
    • 006 4  Porco Rosso is by far my favorite Miyazaki film due to its witty humor and the anti-war theme . Althrough kids might not fully understand the movie , none of the content is actually mature enough that a whole family cannot enjoy this movie together . The music and scores are fambulous as usual since Miyazaki and Hisaishi combined both their expertise together FLAWLESSLY . I admit , I'm the pickiest person when it comes to voices matching personalities , but I really can't complain about the dubbing for this movie . It is actually enjoyable and believable as opposed to some dubs for other Miyazaki movies . The script follows the original quite closely . That makes me happy . Good Job ! The only thing I had a problem with was that they did not use the original for Les Temps des Cerises and the ending theme . I liked the voice of the original singer ( Tokiko Kato ) more so then the one they picked ( don't know who ) , but the new one is not bad either . Many might think that the ending is a bit of a blur , but that's Miyazaki's signature ( i.e . watch end credit of My Neighbor Totoro and Nausicaa of Valley of the Wind ) . Miyazaki never does sequel of his films , which I fully agree with since somethings are better left unsaid and left to the imagination ( which is a theme in most of his movies ) , but he does give hints throughout the movie on the ending . As for the actual ending , figure it out for yourself : )
    • 007 4  Think Casablanca but funnier , more action , great fight scenes , and Miyazaki's beautiful clouds and sunlit skies . In spite of my love and respect for Kiki and Totoro , I am almost now convinced that is is Hiyao's finest work , surpassing even Nausicaa ! If you have never seen one of his films , see this one . It is astounding in so many ways , and it may make you want to see more of his amazing creations .
    • 009 4  As a fan of this film for some years , I read the reviews posted here before obtaining a copy of the Disney release , because I wanted to be prepared for any disappointments if there were really egregious departures from the impressions I've formed of Miyazake's vision for his work . No worries ; after watching the DVD . . . twice now , with occasional pauses to switch language / subtitle tracks . . . I don't think there's a thing wrong with Disney's release . As to the film itself , I love it ; as I say above , it's been a favorite of mine for years . This somewhat quirky action / adventure story is a blast for any fan of the genre , but it's the aviation angle that grabs me in this one . Technically , for those who haven't seen it , Hayao Miyazake's affinity for aviation is most evident in this film . . . as a pilot and long time aviation junkie , it feels near-perfect to me , and explains why it's a personal high scorer on my own top ten list . The pertinent discussion here , though , is Disney's addition of an English language track in this release , so in writing this review I shall focus on my own feelings about it . Now , I'm certainly no expert in the field of cinematic art , but I've watched a bunch of different versions of this film , from mediocre fan-subs on VHS to more professional DVD editions , so I have got several comparisons in mind to help form my opinion . To begin with , sure , there are some minor variations from the dialogue I've seen before , but to me there's nothing significant to quibble over . I suppose if I was conversant in idiomatic Japanese I could speak with more authority , but I didn't have any jarring moments while watching the film , with two minor exceptions : Marco's original surname , ' Pabatto , ' being substituted with the name ' Rosselini , ' in the English dub and the mutation of his friend's name ( and one of Gina's husbands ) from ' Belneldi ' to ' Berlini . ' I suspect the latter may have been a bit of misunderstanding in the original Japanese actor Shuichiro Moriyama's pronunciation of the ' Ls ' in the name that got carried over to this new release , though the name ' Belneldi ' is clearly written on the group photo of Marco and his friends that still hangs in Gina's office . The change from Marco Pabatto's name is less forgivible ; even in this release if the original Japanese audio track ( and the French one , too . . . I think ; kinda hard to make out , but it sure isn't ' Rosselini ! ) is selected you can clearly hear Fio asking about ' Marco Pabatto ' in the conversation at the campsite where Porco discloses his supernatural experience during the war , after which he was transformed into a pig . Still , that's but a ripple on an otherwise serene sea , at least for me . I thought Michael Keaton did a fine job as Porco , from what I've read here I was expecting more of an over-the-top vocalization like he did in ' Beetlejuice . ' Nope , nice work . On the other hand , while Keaton is good , happily the very best Porco voice I've yet heard is right on this DVD , in Jean Reno's interpretation on the French audio track . I read on nausicaa.net that Miyzake-san thought Reno was even better than Moriyama's original Porco , and I concur in spades . I almost wish he'd done the English dub , too ; it wouldn't be the first time this Frenchman played an Italian in an English-language movie . . . remember ' Leon , ' aka ' The Professional ? ' Great actor . One reviewer here disliked Susan Egan's take on the song ' Le temps des cerises ' that Gina sings early in the picture , but I believe full credit should be given to Ms . Egan for making the effort to sing as well as a professional lounge chanteuse in addition to performing her speaking part in the film for consistency's sake . I admit to being terribly biased in this case , as I think Susan Egan has one of the most appealing and sultry speaking voices I've ever heard , but as for myself , I thoroughly enjoyed her rendition of the song , even if it might not have been quite as technically skilled as the original version was . As for the English speaking Gina being ' curiously distant , ' as Mr . Solomon commented in his in-house review , I must respectfully disagree with his asessment . Of course Gina is somewhat distant , she's had three husbands killed already , with her true love and old flame Porco still alive but in constant peril . . . even she herself comments at one point that she's cried herself out over the years and now only feels numb ! Yet , in the film's more emotional moments I found Ms . Egan's Gina just as warm and intimate as Ms . Kato's ever was , sometimes even more so . Okay , it's subjective , and I'm biased . Your mileage may vary ! Cary Elwes was a hoot as Donald Curtis , with his mildly goofy Texas accent , and Kimberly Williams gave a great performance as Fio , sounding just as cute and spunky as did the original Japanese actress , Akemi Okamura . No disappointments there . Top marks for David Ogden Stiers ' take on Grandpa Piccolo in this release . He gets better every time with these projects ; his inflection , tone , and nuance of voice are terrific , and his old codger's cackle is perfection itself . As impressed as I was with his characterization of Kamaji in ' Spirited Away , ' he blew me away with his wonderfully hilarious voice acting here ! To sum up , for me Disney has taken one of my favorite films of all time and made it even more enjoyable with their version . I've recommended this film for years to friends and family , but had few takers as many of them didn't have the patience to pay the closer attention than normal required when viewing a subtitled movie . Now this has been remedied and the only thing seriously lacking in my Miyazaki collection is their English dub of Tonari no Totoro . . . c'mon , Disney , you can do it !
    • 010 4  Miyazaki has a gift for creating an alternate world that is consistent in its own rules . Indeed , only Miyazaki could have carried off this movie about a seaplane pilot turned into a pig . But now having experienced several of Miyazaki's works , I think that they are so successful because they extol good and honest behavior . After Spirited Away I have sought out all Miyazaki's films - - they are fun , they aren't predictable , they speak to all ages and they don't leave you embarrassed to have spent money on the entertainment . As the father of several daughters , call me corny , but I enjoyed and appreciated the character of the young engineer ( Piccolo's granddaughter ) who was anxious to prove herself . She worked hard and validated everyone's confidence in her talents . Hardwork and achievement : What a great message that is so often lost in Hollywood's clumsy offerings . The movie was so enjoyable because it honored good character . The right things happened . The honorable characters succeeded . The good guy wins . Yet there is not a hint of formula in the movie . So often such movies are so predicable that you end up rooting for the bad guy , but in Miyazaki's movies the themes of love , honor , honesty are all given excellent treatment and I cannot recommend them enough .
    • 011 4  I have seen this anime movie before , in the subtitled version sold in the Hayao Miyazaki collection . Many dubs of good Japanese anime movies or series are horrible . I have to admit this is a very good dub , and seeing it , I realized I'd missed a few subtle details . I won't spoil it for anyone , but suffice it to say , that I got a completely different take on the ending by hearing this in English . Michael Keaton was an inspired choice as Porco . He gave just the right kind of understated , man of few words talk that was expected from his character . While I'm not certain how old this is , it is definitely from before 1998 when Princess Mononoke was released . The animation is first rate all the way , and the art is extraordinary , as we've come to expect from recent Miyazaki films . A friend of mine who viewed it with me said the backgrounds were almost real life , but the characters and things like planes seemed more cartoon like in the foreground . I personally like the effect , as it gives the characters some dimension . Too many drawn animes look two-dimensional all the time . By fading the background a bit and making it more realistic , it brings more life to the characters , and movement of objects . As for the movie , itself it has a good story that on the surface excites the younger audience , and on a bit deeper level gives the adults something to enjoy . Porco has a bit of a comment on the history of the time ( pre-World War II ) . Most of that commentary will go right over younger children , who will love Porco and his adventures . Miyazaki seems to have a love for children . Many of his stories appeal to them without being overly dumbed down , and syrupy . As for my Disney title comment , they have the rights to these films . If Disney spent a little on promotion , this kind of film plays well for American audiences . While it angered me at the time , the way they tanked the distribution of Princess Mononoke , and Spirited Away . It may have made some business sense , since they were both in uniquely Japanese settings . Porco Rosso however , is set in the Adriatic Sea , and has many universal adventure concepts , like pirates , spies , airplanes , and hide-a-way desert islands . As for the DVD , top notch all around , two discs with wide-screen and tons of extra's on the second . The transfer looks great , and while I don't have a THX system to try it , its THX certified and includes a THX Optimizer . It's also specially enhanced for 16X9 televisions . An outer cardboard art sleeve protects the inner standard DVD clamshell , which has the same art on it on the cover .
    • 012 4  This is not just a delightful animated film , it is a spectacular film of any genre that fits on the same shelf with Casablanca , Shane , and other wonderful films about how lonely it is to be a wandering hero . I bought this for my kids , and they all love it as much as the other Miyazaki films we've collected on DVD and VHS . One of the first words of my now three year old son ( who has been late getting language ) was Porco - - a word , which , to him , meant put the Porco Rosso video on now please Dad ! ! There is something special about this film - - it is at once exciting and thrilling , and at the same time peaceful , a kind of oasis . From this perspective , for its nostalghic and evocative feel in the face of a background danger , I think it might be compared to Shane . Like Shane , Porco has something in his past that makes it difficult for him to feel fully human and integrated with others . That Miyazaki can capture this feeling and transplant it to an entirely unique setting , with resonances from his own life and experience , and tied to an even grander global scale shows once again why he is among the most remarkable , interesting and versatile of filmmakers we have ( period ) .
    • 013 4  I need to address the comments of longshotex - Firstly , the characters do not speak with an Italian accent because they are American actors . It doesnt seem to matter that the Ghibli films set in Japan ( Mononoke , Spirited Away etc ) dont have actors speaking with Japanese accents . Secondly , the character of Porco is deliberately distant . He considers himself to be essentially worthless to the world , and nothing more than a coward for thinking of himself at a time when his friends were in need . Consequently he withdrew from the society around him . The film is essentially showing the events leading up to his acceptance as a human being once more . Thus you are not expected to identify with him that much , just understand his motives for being how he is . Thirdly , while the ending to the film is admitedly quite abrupt , the clues are in the last few scenes as to whether things have turned out right or not - you just have to pay attention . I think personally that a film which gives the viewer a little nudge in the direction of the fate of the characters but leaves the imagination to flesh it out is a good film . If a film spoon-feeds the viewer too much information , it becomes good ammunition for those who believe TV / films rot childrens minds , and Miyazaki can never be accused of that . For me , Porco Rosso is just as good as any other Miyazaki film - and as anyone who has other examples of his work will know , thats a pretty high praise . True , its a slight departure from his normal situations and stories but the same basic threads shine through regardless . Excellent animation , beautiful watercolour backgrounds , appealing characters and a plot that doesnt get predictable or feel like its being worked from a template . Hisaishi also does a cracking music score as usual .
    • 014 4  This is one of the best animated films of all time . Wait , wait - not so fast . That's a loaded statement , and we have to justify it , don't we ? So let's go ahead and do just that . This is Miyazaki's most polished , flawless work . You could say that this is an artifact of the fact that it takes less chances than his other full-length films , that it is more restrained and less complex , but that simply wouldn't be true . Porco is as complex a character as Miyakazi has ever made , and far less typical than most characters he creates . Let's face it , the man has certain archetypes he likes , and he sticks to them like glue : your outwardly brave yet inwardly vulnerable female lead ( i.e . Fio , Sophie ( wait for Howl's Moving Castle ) , Chihiro , Mononoke , Sheeta , or just about any other Miyazaki female lead ) , the standard enigmatic noble leading man ( Pazu , Haku ) , the kindly weird old guy , the irate old witch that is morally redeemed throughout the story , and many others besides . Porco is none of these . He's completely unique , and watching him interact with everyone around him is truly remarkable . He's the most well-rounded and fleshed-out character that Miyazaki has ever produced . The supporting cast is firmly archetypical , but we can forgive him for that . The story is simple , but flawless . It isn't overly convoluted as it is in Mononoke , nor is it as arbitrarily and unsatisfyingly resolved as it is in Spirited Away . The tension arc throught the film is wonderfully well thought out . It starts on a high note , slightly silly , then settles into a stylish , melancholy and surreal vibe that lasts for a good half of the film . In the end , action picks up and some of the silliness comes back , but after having sat though the wonderfully surreal middle segment , you're more pre-disposed to watch it at face value , and it's inherent silliness is less irksome . The ending itself is wonderfully melancholy , resolving ( some of ) the plot yet leaving the tension hanging in the air . The only other Miyazaki feature that has this flawless a story-line is Castle in the Sky , but it cannot touch the nuance and emotional complexity of this film . The historical setting provides a necessary realistic contrast to the deeply romaticised characters and events in the movie , and adds a degree of unsettling tension to the atmosphere . The visuals are gorgeous . Rumour has it that three times as much money was spent on this as was on Castle in the Sky , it's direct predecessor - and it shows . The detail in every frame is stunning , and the emotion and nuance in character expression is second to none . The movie was technically far ahead of it's time , and still looks fresh today , despite competition from CGI . Disney may have it's terapixel rendering pipelines and billions of polygons , but they have not come even close to capturing the freshness and liveliness that Miyazaki infuses his characters with , nor do they have anywhere near his visual imagination . The soundtrack by Joe Hisaishi is wonderful as always , and Gina's beautiful ballad is a melodic centerpiece of the film . This is a film that is deeply humanistic yet never overly sappy and emotional . It is dynamic and engaging while being wonderfully subtle and nuanced . It is simple , yet never simplified . It offers social commentary , yet doesn't preach . It is moralistic , yet not moralizing . And it's charming as all hell . Many , many scenes will remain in your memory forever . Porco's story ( you'll have to see the film to know what I'm talking about ) is a stunning , surreal , typical Miyazaki moment , and is one of the most powerful scenes in all of cinema ( I'm not kidding ) . So , are you going to enjoy this movie ? Well , that depends . If you like everything distilled into clear , concise explanations , with no moral trickery on the part of the author , then this probably won't be your cup of tea . If what happens is your measure of a film's , or a story's worth , then this will probably fall short . If you can't appreciate subtle humour , then this may seem boring . If , however , you want charm , wit , grace , and refinement bundled together with dynamic action and a healthy dose of surrealism , then meet your new Holy Grail . And if you think that animation is still chiefly family entertainment , then grow a few brain cells . Animation allows us to express what conventional live-action cinema cannot ( though with the advent of CGI , this may not be true for much longer ) . This is one of the best animated films of all time . P.S . Howl's Moving Castle is worth the wait . It's excellent . If you like the more surreal direction in which Miyazaki was going in Spirited Away , well , he goes further in that direction . Much , much further . . . but that's for another review ! P.P.S . My review applies to the subtitled version . I hate english dubs , and you should too . The emotion and vocal delivery of the original Japanese soundtrack is a vital element in watching any Japanese animated film . In general , it's a good idea to watch any foreign movie in it's original language . I hope I've been helpful . If I seem overly exuberant and full of superlatives , that it because this is a film that's worth being superlative about . Treasure it .
    • 015 4  I purchased this DVD for my daughter , who as become devoted fan of Hayao Miyazaki . Yet , it is a joy to view this film with my daughter . Where my daughter and may focus on different aspects of the story and / or characters . We both greatly enjoy the fun , and loving story .
    • 016 4  This was long held as one of my favorite films ( animated or not ) and it was another of Miyazaki's films I knew only in subtitled form . Kiki's Delivery Service was another , and upon hearing the Disney dub of that film I could not stand to watch it , it just tore up that great movie . By Porco is another story . Michael Keaton especially has done a great job of capturing the essence of the Japanese performance and helps make the dub very watchable . For true film fans , nothing beats the original language for sense of character , especially with anime as Japanese voice actors approach the work with a totally different frame of mind , really serving the film and the characters over matching voice to mouth . I was happily surprised by this dub .
    • 019 4  Porco Rosso : a man with the head of a pig who's an ace pilot . When I first read the synopsis of this movie , I was slightly befuddled . But when I actually saw it , for some strange reason I found it one of the more charming Miyazaki movies ! Maybe it's because Porco Rosso's former girlfriend looks and acts like a starlet from those 1940 ' s movies I love to watch . Who knows ? But this definitely isn't a weak attempt at levity by Miyazaki . Porco Rosso is consumed by guilt from an old secret he's been hiding since World War One . And when he meets a young girl who's a talented engineer , that secret will be revealed . This movie shows Miyazaki's love of all mechanical things that fly , and also his love of creative fantasy . It's a wonderful adventure .
    • 021 4  This review is from : Porco Rosso ( DVD ) Those words give Porco Rosso , the Red Pig , carte blanche to act in ways that Marco Berlini ( his former self ) couldn't . On the surface , that means mercenary and amoral . Sort of like Bogart in Casa Blanca or To Have and to Have Not . In other words , nothing you could easily sum up in just a few words , and he likes it that way . It helps the new guys underestimate him , just the way he wants . Also like Bogart , Rosso lives in a time and a place just outside of active war , and just outside any jurisdiction that would take an active interest in him . And again like Bogart , he enters that un-war , on no side but his own , and wins what he wanted to win . This isn't an animated copycat , though . It's Miyazaki's story all through , built around a romantic passion for flying and around strong , young female characters . In this case , two young women , and both a bit older than Miyazaki's usual - old enough for romance . A chaste sort of romance , up to a point . The passion for flight is the Rosso , Marco's signature red seaplane . The story ? Just trust Miyazaki , you know it's going to be good . Miyazaki's films all seem to target specific ages , though , and this one isn't nearly as young as Kiki or even Spirited Away . I'd guess it's good for tween / teen-agers , or adults willing to act a little child-like . That's child-like , not childish , a distinction that Miyazaki respects . / / wiredweird
    • 022 4  Those words give Porco Rosso , the Red Pig , carte blanche to act in ways that Marco Berlini ( his former self ) couldn't . On the surface , that means mercenary and amoral . Sort of like Bogart in Casa Blanca or To Have and to Have Not . In other words , nothing you could easily sum up in just a few words , and he likes it that way . It helps the new guys underestimate him , just the way he wants . Also like Bogart , Rosso lives in a time and a place just outside of active war , and just outside any jurisdiction that would take an active interest in him . And again like Bogart , he enters that un-war , on no side but his own , and wins what he wanted to win . This isn't an animated copycat , though . It's Miyazaki's story all through , built around a romantic passion for flying and around strong , young female characters . In this case , two young women , and both a bit older than Miyazaki's usual - old enough for romance . A chaste sort of romance , up to a point . The passion for flight is the Rosso , Marco's signature red seaplane . The story ? Just trust Miyazaki , you know it's going to be good . Miyazaki's films all seem to target specific ages , though , and this one isn't nearly as young as Kiki or even Spirited Away . I'd guess it's good for tween / teen-agers , or adults willing to act a little child-like . That's child-like , not childish , a distinction that Miyazaki respects . / / wiredweird
    • 025 4  If you look at a list of the greatest directors of all time , Fellini , Kubrick , Dreyer , Lumet , and Kurosawa are givens on any list . But for me Miyazaki stands out as one of ( if not the best ) directors of all time for his intense perfectionism that makes his movies so intracitley detailed and fresh , while at the same time retaining an air of nostalgia . Porco Rosso is one such film . Miyazaki takes the sleek Bogart-style anti-hero that changed cinema and applies it to an animated film made in the 90s . The result is the bizzare but wonderful story of a humanoid pig who runs from Mussolini's secret police while searching for bounties and the woman he loves . People rightly complain about how animation in Japan tends to focus only on stunning visuals and not story . Here we really get the best of both worlds . The scripting is top-notch , and the characters are great , but we get some excellent ` performances ' from the animated characters . This film features the best character animation since Tex Avery's cartoon shorts . Every character - down to the tiniest speck in the crowd - is animated believably . The animation is also remarkable during the heart-stopping flying sequences that make me wish the film had a theatrical release here in the states . Add the sweeping and majestic score by Jo Hisaishi and you've got one hell of a ride . This is one of the rare films where everything seems to add up perfectly from start to finish , which is rare for a film from any director no matter how great . Rent it now , but of course , skip the dub .
    • 029 4  I really didn't want to see this movie a whole lot . I am a fan of Miyazaki and have loved every movie of his I've seen , but a story about a flying pig in Italy ? Get real . But I had nothing else I wanted to watch and it was either this movie or The Cat Returns and I hate cats , so I got this movie . All I have to say is I was shocked . I actually liked this movie . Not just a its okay kind of liked , but a wow that was amazing like . The animation was amazing and the voice acting was better than any other Miyazaki English dub with the exception of Spirited Away . But what really made this movie great was the fact that it's really , REALLY funny . Even parts that I would normally consider corny , like when Fio is talking to the air pirates about how great they supposedly are , are saved by the fact that they aren't taken seriously , they are made fun of . Instead of all the pirates going sober and calming down , they burst out cheering and going nuts . Its one of the funniest things you'll ever see . As for flaws , there aren't very many . Sure you don't really know why Porco is a pig in the first place and the American pilot acts very stupid , but these are minor problems that don't really bring this movie down a whole lot . This movie may not be for everyone . I loved it , but for someone expecting a movie of the same caliber of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind or Spirited Away , you may be disappointed . This movie is weak compared to those movies , but than again , so is everything else . if you read this review , please leave a comment . if you read this review , please leave a comment .
    • 030 4  One of Moriyama's best , featuring first rate animation , story and dialogue . The fist fight scene probably makes this film better for the 10 - and-over crowd , but the real audiences for this masterpiece are adults who appreciate beautiful animation , 1930 ' s-style heros , and the sounds of radial aircraft engines . Accurate details rivaling those of Herge's famous Tintin comic book series make this a jewel . The english language version has a few voices that could have carried a little more believable emotion , but this is a very minor complaint and is something most viewers will probably not even notice until the third or fourth viewing . Porco Rosso deserves a top ranking in any movie collection .
    • 031 4  I have to say , that against my better judgement , I was a little nervous comming to this film . I mean , come on , a guy with a pig's head ? HOwever , after watching the film , I hardly even noticed it and found myself swept away but the storyline instead . THough Porco Rosso certainly does not make you delve deep into your reserves trying to figure out why we do what we do , unlike Nausicaa or Princess Mononoke , it is a more lighthearted romp through the post War era . Filled with brilliant animation and memorable characters , Miyazaki does not fail to bring us anothe masterpiece . This is a great piece of work that everyone from adults to kids can enjoy . There are many lighthearted jokes and plenty of things to quote from . The humor is real , original , and truly funny , unlike the forced nature of most films these days . Even my eleven year old brother and I ( i'm fifteen ) were in stiches and enjoyed it thoroughly . One of the best parts of this film are the planes Miyazaki so clearly loves . They look and feel authentic and really pull the film together . Also , we are given a great cast of new characters with an EXCELLENT english cast . Two thumbs way up ! This , as well as other works by Miyazaki are worth watching and owning , no questions asked . So don't hesistate and enjoy !
    • 032 4  This is quite a wonderful film ! Porco Rosso is a stunning masterpiece . From a visual point of view , it is full of beautiful scenery , partially due to where the story takes place . It is the story of a World War I pilot who is somehow transformed into the Crimson Pig . We watch as he battles evil , faces his own demons , and lives an isolated existence with his trusty flying boat . There is a nice surprise in the end , though at the risk of spoiling it for you , I will not divulge it . If you are a fan of the period , of flying boats , of the setting , of brave airmen , of flying pigs ( quite literally ! ) , of Miyazaki , well , I think you will love this . Porco Rosso is fantastic !
    • 033 4  The premise of this film sounded a little bizarre when I heard of it - - a WWI flying ace who's been turned into a pig ? I was skeptical when I bought it , but I am a huge Miyazaki fan , so I thought I'd give it a chance . Turns out , it's every bit as fabulous and off-beat as his other films - - some really great animation sequences , and some truly funny lines . The ending ( in my humble opinion ) was a bit of a dud ( a long narrative segment that leaves the fate of the hero ambiguous ) , so it's definitely not my favorite ( compared to films like Mononoke and Spirited Away ) , but it's worth watching and owning .
    • 035 4  ( * * * * * ) for the Japanese-language track on this long-awaited Region 1 release of Kurenai no buta on DVD . Compared to grey - and black-market DVDs and VHSs to which Miyazaki fans have had to resort , this new DVD mastering and cleanup with remastered soundtrack is wonderful . Bravo , well done ! ( * * * * ) for this Disney-fied English-track leg-lift aimed at North Americans ! Judging by soundtrack enhancements , dramatic-element telegraphing and noticeable character & plot alterations , we-all Yanks must be too stupid to understand what Miyazaki-san originally had in mind . And apparently only name-brand vocal stars will get us into theaters . While the English track of this DVD fares much better than Disney's recent release of Nausic。ä of the Valley of the Wind , there are still bones to pick . Why does the Pig ( well-voiced here by Michael Keaton ) no longer threaten ( bluff ) to kill all the air pirates when they're holding some kids hostage ? Why does the Pig demand that these seven-year old girls ( who now belong to a swim club instead of a swim team ) , wet but sunning themselves in their underwear after escaping from their captors , put their clothes back on ? And why did they make Madame Gina ( normally calm , supremely self-assured and patient ) relatively temperamental , insecure , and girlish ? One inexcusable point : the lovely French song Gina sings early on was rerecorded and rearranged , evidently by a poor excuse for a Las Vegas lounge singer , dripping with distasteful American-style sloppy emoting . A nasty change , and unwarranted . Questionable translations , plot surgery and gratuitous tinkering-by-focus group have made some elements a bit of a concern for Miyazaki purists , but thankfully the story's mostly unchanged . I still hate when Disney sneaks in fill-in dialog when characters ' backs are turned . Why can't a longing gaze at the sunset remain just that ? I can recommend this to anyone over about eight years old . The themes are mostly adult , and there are situations of threat , suspense , lots of gunfire , and slapstick violence . Not for small children , but then again not as intense as Princess Mononoke or Nausic。ä of the Valley of the Wind .
    • 036 4  This is one of my favorite movies of all time . Much of American animation , although good , is made for an audience with ADHD . Miyazaki has the courage , and talent , to take his time telling a story , without trying to wow you every second of the film . This movie has a subtle grace , beauty , and charm which is truly moving . This is a rare find in any medium . Think e.e . cummings , or The Mona Lisa , or snow falling past a street light , and you'll get the idea . This first time I saw this movie , I didn't immediately realize how much it affected me , but it stayed with me for days . I've seen it several times , and never grow tired of it . It's about time it became available in the US .
    • 037 4  I agree with the other reviewer who mentioned this was the favorite Miyazaki - I love Porco even more than the popular Mononke and Spirited Away . You can't go wrong with any of this masters work - but Porco has beautiful aerial scenes , well-developed characters and the soundtrack is superb . The detail in the planes and other mechanics can be more impressive artistically than nature-only scenes . Although our protaganist is a man ( okay , turned pig ) , Miyazaki's tradition of strong female characters continues in this film through with both the love interest and the marvelous plane mechanic .
    • 038 4  I am a region4 customer so have not reviewed the revised DISNEY version on DVD but am reviewing the original versions for your information / comparison . The original English version was masterful . While no expert on the director's work or ANIME I have a broad knowledge of film / animation . The story is for romantic adults but is also safe and entertaining for children . It is fanciful in that the central character is under a spell / curse ( he has not suffered a tragic accident ) but aside from this the story is set in a semi-real world unlike films such as ' Spirited Away ' . It is a story of complex , adult friendships and love . It has an air of ' Casablanca ' to it . The animation is beautiful , and is a treat for aviation buffs dreaming of the barnstorming days . The original music score is good and sets the right ' atmosphere ' for the film . I hope the re-working has not removed the soul of this excellant film , and I do not understand why it was even done .
    • 042 4  Many people whose first language is English don't seem to like their favorite foreign films dubbed in English . Well , that's understandable ; here in Japan , we have Eddie Murphy speaking Japanese - - - in dubbed movies , of course - - - and most Japanese people don't seem to like it either ; it simply doesn't sound like ' Eddie ' . However , I don't think that necessarily means that dubbed films are always bad . In fact , there are exceptions - - - maybe , not too many , though - - - that the dub is as good as the original . And I do believe this English ' Porco Rosso ' is one of such exceptions . Personally , I even think the voice acting of Porco is better than the original , except for the added ' grunts ' , which are not in the Japanese version . So , if you have a bias against dub , I advise you to discard it , as far as this film is concerned ; you can enjoy this wonderful gift from Miyazaki in English on this DVD - - - as well as in Japanese with subtitles if you would still like to . Arigato Disney for the wonderful job ! !
    • 044 4  It is difficult to describe Porco Rosso . It's so different from the rest of Miyazaki's movies . There's no overt environmental theme being rammed down your throat . This is just a great story told well and by a master storyteller . The animation is fantastic , the visuals are superb and this movie has some of the most evicative music I have heard in a long time . This is a must-see movie .
    • 047 4  I don't know anime , but I know what I like . Or do I ? The idea of an animated feature about a pig flying an aeroplane sounded a little silly , but I actually found Porco Rosso pretty enjoyable . The film , more or less , is about an expatriate Italian pilot of the 1930s who has the head of a pig , thanks to a strange experience many years ago . He's a bounty hunter who battles air pirates and rescues hostages . Even though it's a little tetchy and in need of a tune up , his red aircraft is beautiful and suits him very nicely . The pirates want him grounded and so do the Italian fascists ( unless , of course , he decides to work for them ) . But no , Porco would rather be a pig than a fascist , and continues to fly the skies solo , feeling sorry for himself in a gruff , quiet sort of way . That all may change soon , though . . . I'm sure that this film wouldn't have been half as nice to watch if director Hayao Miyazaki wasn't so passionate about aviation and the Studio Ghibli team wasn't so passionate about motion . Though it isn't as colourful and strange as , say , Spirited Away , it is a beautiful looking film , and has Miyazaki's signature style all over it . It's a film a more light hearted and sparse than his others , I reckon . There's not an awful lot that happens , and when it's often rather silly ( especially with the air pirates ) . My brother was in stitches at some parts , actually . The English dub features Michael Keaton as Porco . I thought it was him , but I wasn't sure until I checked the credits . Does a decent job , catches the surliness of the pig-pilot , but makes him likeable and friendly too . It's good for what it is , light entertainment , and worth a look for anime fans , but if you're just getting into Hayao Miyazaki , I'd recommended seeing a film like Spirited Away or Castle of Cagliostro first .
    • 048 4  1992 ' s Porco Rosso tells the tale of Marco , a human WWI pilot cursed to become half-man , half pig . Marco ( or Porco ) spends his days fighting against sea pirates and evading capture by the Italian Secret Police , as well as visiting the lovely Gina , owner of the swanky Hotel Adriano . Brash American newcomer Curtis ( clearly in the mold of actor Ronald Reagan ) agrees to fight Marco for honour , and shoots his plane down . A love triangle between Curtis , Marco , and Gina only serves to complicate matters . Marco must sneak into Italy for repairs , where he meets seventeen-year-old Fio , a talented and beautiful engineer . The two work together to rebuild Marco's plane into a sleek , sophisticated fighting machine , and an all-out brawl ensues as the pirates fight for Fio's honour ( and hand in marriage ) . Marco is now torn between the two women : Gina , wife of a former comrade and old flame , and the young , enthusiastic Fio . The ending is left open , but with clues . . . Porco Rosso is the first of Miyazaki Hayao's fables aimed squarely at adults rather than children . There is a lot of smoking and alcohol , off-colour comments towards women , and comic violence . Miyazaki had the chance to spend an entire film dedicated to his love of flying , and the attention to detail of the many planes in the movie is amazing . I didn't like this as well as other Miyazaki classics like Kiki and Nausicaa , but it was an enjoyable romp nonetheless .
    • 050 4  This story was one of the first Miyazaki Films i had seen and from there i was hooked . There are times where one might feel a little confused but the beauty of Hayao Miyazaki is that there really are stories within stories . His innovative airplane designs are fantastic and the art is just wonderful .
    • 051 4  This review is from : Porco Rosso ( DVD ) At first i was unsure that i should buy this movie because the plot seemed kinda sketchy and not clear . However , i judged too quickly because i took a gamble and i bought it and it was not a mistake . The movie has a great plot and great classic animation taht works with the movie . In addition , this movie has hidden messages that will reveal itself later in the movie .
    • 052 4  At first i was unsure that i should buy this movie because the plot seemed kinda sketchy and not clear . However , i judged too quickly because i took a gamble and i bought it and it was not a mistake . The movie has a great plot and great classic animation taht works with the movie . In addition , this movie has hidden messages that will reveal itself later in the movie .
    • 057 4  Looking at the front cover of Porco Rosso I automatically thought that the animation will a little old and foggy so I hesitated to buy it . I am ashamed of myself for judging the anime by its cover because this film has some of the most beautiful animation I've ever seen . Porco starts the film with his pig head so you will have to watch the film to find out how he got this curse . It is said Porco Rosso is one of Miyazaki's oddest films but the only thing odd in this is Porcos head . One of the biggest influences for Miyazaki creating this film was his love and obsession for planes . He shows off his love with this cursed ex military pilot turned bounty hunter who is just trying to live out the rest of his life while having absolute joy in tracking down pirates and getting paid to do it . Even though Porco is cursed with this head many for his heroic act in the military love him . Someone who just wants to be able to say I took out the legend but Porco is far from dead has shot down his plane . He takes his plane to Italy for repairs but trouble is still on him as his home Italy wants him for abandoning the military . He finds a young girl there that is an amazing designer and she makes Porco a plane even better than what he had . The two become partener and the rest is history . Porco tries to play the hard bounty hunter but he still gets love and respect let it be from a group of schoolgirls he saved to a young woman who always worries about his safety . He uses his big pig head a lot but he also has a bigger heart that he puts to even more use . This is a film that you will not forget after you see it and it will make you want to buy everything that is Miyazaki . The ending could have been done better as you are left with questions that were only partially answered but I guess they weren't meant to be fully answered .
    • 058 4  Miyazaki Hayao has devoted virtually his whole career - - and every one of his master works - - to encouraging the self-esteem of young girls everywhere through role models in his characters . Never has there been a more tireless champion of the ability , strength , and courage of women . If that was all he did , whether his work was successful or not , he'd be my hero . But as it turns out , his work is brilliant . Buy this DVD and all the rest . If you kow a young girl between the ages of 8 and 18 , that dangerous time when young girls can so easily lose hope , buy them Kiki's Delivery Service , and this one .
    • 059 4  This review is from : Porco Rosso ( DVD ) Porco Rosso is in some ways very different from other films by Miyazaki , such as Princess Mononoke or Spirited Away . In this film , the young female , while very important , is not the center . The center is the flyer Marco , who , subject to a curse , is now a pig air ace . The movie is filled with lots of aerial action , and the plot is well , typical of Miyazaki : subtle and engaging . The evolution of Marco's character is bittersweet and a delight to watch . If you like the other movies by Miyazaki , you will like this one as well .
    • 060 4  Porco Rosso is in some ways very different from other films by Miyazaki , such as Princess Mononoke or Spirited Away . In this film , the young female , while very important , is not the center . The center is the flyer Marco , who , subject to a curse , is now a pig air ace . The movie is filled with lots of aerial action , and the plot is well , typical of Miyazaki : subtle and engaging . The evolution of Marco's character is bittersweet and a delight to watch . If you like the other movies by Miyazaki , you will like this one as well .
    • 061 4  One of director Hayao Miyazaki's ( Spirited Away , Princess Mononoke ) earlier works is a film called Porco Rosso . Porco Rosso , like his other films , is an animated movie and this one features a pig as an ace pilot and bounty hunter . But before we think this movie is going to veer into the territory of Looney Tunes , Porco is the only character in the movie who is not human and we learn later midway through the movie that he used to be human but seems to be cursed in some way . The rest of the film is grounded a sense of reality , though a slightly skewed reality . Porco ( voiced by an unrecognizable Michael Keaton ) is a sea-plane pilot and a bounty hunter . He works for money and usually to protect others ( still for pay , not out of any generosity of spirit as he claims he has none ) . Early in the film we see Porco foil a kidnapping by a bumbling sea-plane pirate gang , and the pirate leaders from the region are out to put a stop to Porco's success against them . They bring in this American pilot ( voiced by Cary Elwes ) , one of the fastest in the world . The American's job is to make Porco look silly and to put him out of a job , if not kill Porco . Porco Rosso's storyline does not progress the way I would have expected . Even though the film clocks in at 90 minutes , Porco Rosso has a leisurely pace that feels as if Miyazaki knows exactly where he is going and is in no hurry to get there . I was surprised by just how much humor there is in the movie . The pirates bungle and bumble quite often , but they also drop these throw away lines that are simply funny , but only when you're watching the movie . Trying to list a series of these lines wouldn't be funny when one line that made me laugh was simply okay , but it was when and how it was said that made the joke . The other thing about this movie was that I was interested in what happens to Porco , and what did happen to Porco , and what will happen . I cared about the character and also in his Engineer friend and the friend's granddaughter ( voiced by Kimberly Williams ) who is just as good of an engineer as any and a very important character . Simply put , the movie worked . On all levels . Animation gives the false impression that it is automatically for children , and children can and would enjoy Porco Rosso , but Miyazaki's films work for adults as well . This is just a good movie . Period . It joins Princess Mononoke and Kiki's Delivery Service as my favorites Miyazaki movies and is one I happily recommend . - Joe Sherry
    • 062 4  I'm no student of animation but I have , like most americans grown up watching movies . Porco Rosso , is a wonderfully gorgeous movie punctuated throughout with breathtaking views of the not-so-long ago past . Like any decent novel , it operates on different planes making it a superb family film . Frankly , this movie suits me much better than Castle in the Sky .
    • 063 4  This review is from : Porco Rosso ( DVD ) So , it's finally going to happen . Here's hoping that the people at Disney do the original version some justice . . . . . by leaving it alone ! ! My family and I have watched a bootleg copy that was given to us of this film on DVD for the last couple of years . While the subtitles are sometimes a bit hasty posted to read , repeated viewings have helped to make this a very enjoyable film . It has also slowly become a sort of cult favorite with us . The ending is particularly poignant . As a guy with a soft spot for genuine romance and a passion for adventures , particularly those involving older aircraft , this film really leaves it's mark . My entire family look forward , eagerly to seeing the new release for American audiences.Also , comparing this film to other films by this director and storyteller is silly . Miyazaki is a versitile creator , capable of involving many types of storytelling and animation techniques and story pacing to tell a wide variety of stories on film . For those who think this is a kids film , it is not , no more than Casablanca is a kids film . They can watch it and probably will enjoy it but this is not My Neighbor Totoro or Kiki's Delivery Service . Comparing it to them is not relevant regarding the story's content or the animation . Do people let their little ones watch Princess Mononoke because it's an animated feature ? I certainly hope not . . . . . Mononoke deserved it's PG - 13 rating and Porko Rosso deserves it's PG rating for reasons regarding content .
    • 064 4  So , it's finally going to happen . Here's hoping that the people at Disney do the original version some justice . . . . . by leaving it alone ! ! My family and I have watched a bootleg copy that was given to us of this film on DVD for the last couple of years . While the subtitles are sometimes a bit hasty posted to read , repeated viewings have helped to make this a very enjoyable film . It has also slowly become a sort of cult favorite with us . The ending is particularly poignant . As a guy with a soft spot for genuine romance and a passion for adventures , particularly those involving older aircraft , this film really leaves it's mark . My entire family look forward , eagerly to seeing the new release for American audiences.Also , comparing this film to other films by this director and storyteller is silly . Miyazaki is a versitile creator , capable of involving many types of storytelling and animation techniques and story pacing to tell a wide variety of stories on film . For those who think this is a kids film , it is not , no more than Casablanca is a kids film . They can watch it and probably will enjoy it but this is not My Neighbor Totoro or Kiki's Delivery Service . Comparing it to them is not relevant regarding the story's content or the animation . Do people let their little ones watch Princess Mononoke because it's an animated feature ? I certainly hope not . . . . . Mononoke deserved it's PG - 13 rating and Porko Rosso deserves it's PG rating for reasons regarding content .
    • 068 4  This was an awesome Miyazaki film . It was racy , adventurous and fully entertaining for the very young to the very old . I loved it . The plot involves the misadventures of a sea plane pilot whose face has been mysteriously turned into a that of a pig . The movie is pretty void of clichés . An excellent choice .
    • 069 4  This was so totally new for me , and so wonderful . Since I first saw this film , I have seen every film Miyazaki made . What a change from Disney : so imaginative , the animations is exquisite , the story is so funny , and un-cliched . A film for adults as well as children - it gave me a whole new way to see animation .
    • 070 4  If you're familiar with Miyazaki's previously-released films , Porco Rosso might seem like a departure . Set in the Mediterranean in the early 1930s , it follows the adventures of the title character in a style borrowed from Saturday-matinee serials ( the kind of thing George Lucas based Star Wars on ) and the tough-guy films of Ford and Huston . That is , if you can imagine those films in the kind of gorgeous color Miyazaki drenches his scenes with here , and if you can imagine Humphrey Bogart with the face of a pig . It's partly by this free mixing of genres that this film identifies itself as Miyazaki's - - as well as by the recurrent themes of flying , lonely heroism , responsibility , truth and integrity that mark all of his films . And then there are the air pirates , back again . Here , they're the object of free-lance fighter pilot Porco Rosso's crusade to keep the skies safe for schoolgirls and the other innocents who inhabit this alternative history of the pre-War Mediterranean . When the pirates hire an American ace to bring down the Red Pig , the action takes off , and as we learn that the Pig's history involves an obscure curse and a hopeless love affair , the plot soars and twists with as much agility as a dogfight above the blue Mediterranean . Thrilling , wistful , beautiful , funny , thoughtful , nostalgic and warm : it's another Miyazaki ! . . .
    • 071 4  This review is from : Porco Rosso ( DVD ) the movie porco rosso is a great story about a WWI flying ace who after the war became a bountyhunter . the story is more than that though , its filled with romance , actcion , and comedy . all of this is based in a whimsical world that could only be imagined by the great director hayao miyazaki , one of the greatest film makers of our time . this is a really great movie and a must see for the young and young at heart .
    • 074 4  This review is from : Porco Rosso ( DVD ) This is a good family kind of a movie . It is a heart worming movie that the whole family can enjoy together .
    • 076 4  I must say that this is not my favorite Miyazaki film but it definitely caught my interest and my imagination still , as this great director always does . I would not say Porco Rosso should be your first Miyazaki experience , but it's definitely one that I'm proud to have in my collection .
    • 079 4  This review is from : Porco Rosso ( DVD ) While I usually love Hayao Miyazaki's animes I put off watching Porco Rosso for years . . . Being from the Cincinnati area , I wasn't feeling up to another flying pig story . Several weeks ago I watched the film and was completely entranced . I loved the pig character . The artwork . . . superb ! Miyazaki must mean ' sure thing ' in Japanese . . .
    • 080 4  While I usually love Hayao Miyazaki's animes I put off watching Porco Rosso for years . . . Being from the Cincinnati area , I wasn't feeling up to another flying pig story . Several weeks ago I watched the film and was completely entranced . I loved the pig character . The artwork . . . superb ! Miyazaki must mean ' sure thing ' in Japanese . . .
    • 081 4  Porco Rosso ( Hayao Miyazaki , 1992 ) In between his two monolithic environmentalist efforts , Nausicaa and Princess Mononoke , Miyazaki enjoyed his greatest artistic success as a filmmaker , in my opinion . ( Cue legions of Spirited Away fans who disagree . ) Not only his best picture , Kiki's Delivery Service , but My Neighbor Totoro and Porco Rosso were also produced during this time . That's a trifecta of which any director could be proud . Porco Rosso tells the story of , not surprisingly , the Crimson Pig , a 1920s pilot with a dark past . After a mishap , he takes his plane to get it repaired in Italy , where he's wanted by the army . They find out he's home , and the hijinks begin . It's actually quite simple and straightforward for a Miyazaki film , which was something of a surprise . A good old swashbuckling adventure flick about daredevil flyers , honor , and friendship . Think of it as Wings : The Animated Version and you won't be too far wrong . * * * ½
    • 082 4  This review is from : Porco Rosso ( DVD ) We love this film so much we just borrowed it from the library again . My wife's father was visiting , so we played it for him . Hayao Miyazaki is well regarded as one of the best creators of animated film . He is easily my favorite . Of his films , this is my wife's favorite and in my top 5 . There is some mild violence . A couple of characters beat each other up pretty significantly . It's fisticuffs , with lots of visible bruising . No blood . Teeth are lost , though . Miyazaki revisits several themes in all of his films . One of the highlights of his films for me is the strong female characters he creates . This tendency is age-independent . From young girls to elderly women , and every age in between , there is strength of mind , spirit , will , and character . The characters and environments are crafted with lush care . The details are gorgeous , landscapes rich , and each and every person and animal is deep , and easy to connect with . Broad concepts are positive and easy to grasp , but more subtle details keep more mature viewers engaged in the story as well . Replay value is high . Disney secured the contract to bring Miyazaki's films to the US , and have done a splendid job with the dubbing of this one , as they have with all the rest . Great care is taken to ensure the characters mouths synch with the dialog . The silly distractions of poorly dubbed films are completely absent . It's just brilliant .
    • 083 4  We love this film so much we just borrowed it from the library again . My wife's father was visiting , so we played it for him . Hayao Miyazaki is well regarded as one of the best creators of animated film . He is easily my favorite . Of his films , this is my wife's favorite and in my top 5 . There is some mild violence . A couple of characters beat each other up pretty significantly . It's fisticuffs , with lots of visible bruising . No blood . Teeth are lost , though . Miyazaki revisits several themes in all of his films . One of the highlights of his films for me is the strong female characters he creates . This tendency is age-independent . From young girls to elderly women , and every age in between , there is strength of mind , spirit , will , and character . The characters and environments are crafted with lush care . The details are gorgeous , landscapes rich , and each and every person and animal is deep , and easy to connect with . Broad concepts are positive and easy to grasp , but more subtle details keep more mature viewers engaged in the story as well . Replay value is high . Disney secured the contract to bring Miyazaki's films to the US , and have done a splendid job with the dubbing of this one , as they have with all the rest . Great care is taken to ensure the characters mouths synch with the dialog . The silly distractions of poorly dubbed films are completely absent . It's just brilliant .
    • 084 4  This review is from : Porco Rosso ( DVD ) I started with Spirited Away and got hooked immediately with these type of movies . Porco Rosso is great ! Highly recommended .
    • 087 4  I would have to say this is just another piece of Hayao Miyazakis great work , and it's interesting seing this story from the main charector being a pig , from how he made Spirited Away look with those pigs.I'm sure you will like this movie , and knowing , Hayao Miyazaki never lets you down when it comes to great movies .
    • 088 4  And its a big one . This film was conceived original to be aired on JAL ( Japan Air Lines ) . Mr . Miyazaki intended this film to appeal to the tired japanese businessmen coming home . It is also something of a personal project . He has always loved airplanes and this film was a way including it in one of his works . I find no fault with any of the other reviews here . But you should remember that his other films were intended for a broader group of veiwers , Kiki's delevery service for example . If you liked or loved any or all of Miyazaki san's films then get this one . Its well worth it .
    • 090 4  This review is from : Porco Rosso ( DVD ) As a collector of Disney animation and classics , I love the Japanese animation films . I believe this is the last of my collection . Very happy with the product . Haven't been disappointed yet and I use amazon and ebay frequently .
    • 092 4  This review is from : Porco Rosso ( DVD ) It's one of my favorite movies ! The disc and box came in great condition . I'll be watching it over and over again . : )
    • 098 4  Let me preface this review by saying that I love most all of Miyazaki's films , including Princess Mononoke , Howl's Moving Castle , My Neighbor Totoro , Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind , Spirited Away , and The Cat Returns ( though this one's not technically his ) . For some reason , Porco Rosso just didn't do it for me . It's difficult to point out objectively exactly why . . . maybe it was the ridiculous villians ( they were funny though ) , or maybe it was the fact that I just couldn't really care about any of the characters , or maybe it was the somewhat dull and abruptly ending story . As for the last thing , I'm used to Miyazaki's somewhat slow-paced story-telling method , but for some reason Porco Rosso just didn't capture my attention like his other movies . I just didn't find the movie to be very charming like his others . Normally , I feel the urge to rewatch his movies , but I don't think I'll be seeing this again . So , do I recommend this movie ? Well , I suggest that all fans of Miyazaki's work see this at least once since it's his . You may or may not like it ; it seems alot of people on Amazon loved it ( alot of 4 and 5 star reviews ) . P.S . To all the Porco Rosso fanboys out there - yes , I know there's alot of metaphors concerning facism and humanity and all that in this movie . So please don't tell me I'm just too stupid to enjoy this film . I'm not dissing this movie out of spite or anything , I just couldn't seem to enjoy it , even though I really wanted to .
    • 099 4  Hayao Miyazaki is one of the best filmmakers of our time , and each of his films is special . Lighthearted , with Miyazaki's signature no bad guy roster of interesting characters ( including a strong young female , another Miyazaki staple ) , a fun film for anyone of any age .
    • 100 4  This review is from : Porco Rosso ( DVD ) This is another of Miyazaki's fabulous animated films . Porco is a pilot who has been cursed to look like a pig , but that doesn't stop him from being a pilot or a great character in this movie .
    • 101 4  This is another of Miyazaki's fabulous animated films . Porco is a pilot who has been cursed to look like a pig , but that doesn't stop him from being a pilot or a great character in this movie .
    • 102 4  This review is from : Porco Rosso ( DVD ) Everything came out pretty well . The case looked good and it came in a timely fashion .
    • 104 4  Fine story and a very good characterizations . Extraordinary for the details and precision of the drawings , particularly the aircraft details and the battle scenes . And , of course , the beauty of Miyazaki art . Surely he did a lot of historical and technical researches . Only a remark ( not so important ) , that I can see - as I am italian - : the Italy rebuilt is mainly consistent , but full of absurd details , as usual in foreigner films . For instance , the people in Milan's workshop is acting as Naple's people - while they were totally different in 1930 , and a lot of written texts are deeply wrong or . Fine work .
    • 105 4  This film marks when Miyazaki started to get a little odd with his films . Not that that's a a bad thing , but Porco Rosso was certainly made with an older audience in mind . Although often credited with inspiring Disney's Talespin ( it was not , Talespin started in 1990 , while this wasn't released until 1992 ) this returns once again to Miyazaki's fascination with flying and period pieces . Perhaps a bit too cerebral for kids who like Totoro or Kiki's Delivery Service , it's still a sweet introspective story . The old cliche about beauty only being skin deep was never so appropriate as it is here . As usual Miyazaki's designs are wonderful to watch as is his choreography of flight scenes .
    • 106 4  Porco Rosso / B0001XAPY2 * Spoilers * I'm a huge fan of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind , Princess Mononoke , and Spirited Away , so it was just a matter of time before I checked out Porco Rosso , but I have to say that it was received in a very lukewarm spirit by myself and my viewing companions . The plot follows the lazy , dazy day in the ( unusual ) life of style that characterized Kiki's Delivery Service and My Neighbor Totoro - and I'll confess that particular plot style has never been my favorite to start with . I prefer the heavy action - and philosophy-oriented Miyazaki movies to the slow-paced fantasy life ones . Having said that , Porco Rosso still lacks the charm of Totoro and the heartwarming message of Kiki , in my opinion . One problem is that this movie can't decide how serious it wants to be . The opening sequence involves a gunfight between Porco Rosso and some pirates who have kidnapped a busload of schoolgirls . The girls giggle and bounce about the airplane , getting in the way of the kidnappers , and stripping down to their underwear in order to ' go swimming ' and climb onto Porco Rosso's boat . The overall tone , therefore , is incredibly silly and whimsical , which is why it is jarring when suddenly the movie wants us to start taking it seriously , Casablanca-style . Probably the movie's biggest failing , though , is in the character of Fio . Now , one of the things I like best about Miyazaki's works is his female characters - Nausicaa is incredibly brave and intelligent , Mononoke is strong , Sen ( Spirited Away ) is adaptable , and even Kiki was free-spirited and independent . Fio , on the other hand , is a genius at plane building - which is well enough - but she keeps falling all over herself to apologize for being a ' useless girl ' . Now , if this was initially a well-posed poke at Porco Rosso for being a chauvinist pig , that would be all well and good , but even as Rosso comes to realize that Fio and her female relatives are just as good or better plane-builders than any man , Fio still keeps spouting off over and over how she's a useless , worthless girl and how sorry she is about that . And the fact that she's half his age , underage ( 17 ) , and constantly throwing herself at him kind of squicks me out - I watch Miyazaki to get AWAY from the underage-fetish so unfortunately common in a lot of anime . If you liked the lazy pace of Kiki and Totoro and can look past the unfortunate girls should apologize for the crime of being a girl subtext , you might like Porco Rosso . Then again , you might not - my boyfriend didn't care for the movie not because of the subtext or the pacing , but because it was ' silly ' and ' boring ' . Largely , I think it will just boil down to a matter of taste , but if you're like me and were looking for another Nausicaa or Mononoke , keep looking because it's not here .
    • 111 4  maybe because I didn't like Porco . Everything was sub-par for me . Animation is definitely not as good as his later movies . Not enough weirdness , tried too much for the plot . Everything was just too ho-hum . As if he tried to carry the whole movie on Porco's shoulders . But once you got past the fact that everyone else was human and Porco was a pig there wasn't anything else there .
    • 112 4  I've always been a Miyazaki fan with Kiki's Delivery Service and such . However , Porco Rosso is not recommended for young children as there are multiple moron , idiot and other choice words throughout the film . When seen as an adult anime , the plot is sadly lacking and at the end , I really didn't care whether Porco lived or died . Go see something else instead .
    • 113 4  I consider all of Miyazaki's films to be masterpieces except this one . First of all , the movie is set in Italy and nobody speaks with an Italian accent . The southern accent from the American is REALLY bad too ! The animation is brilliant like in all of Miyazaki's films but I had trouble with the main character , Porco . In all of Miyazaki's other films you really feel drawn to the main character and want to see them succeed . But Porco is so . . . bleh . He shows so little emotion . It's really hard to like him at all . He has this curse that turned him into a pig but he doesn't even seem to care . So why should I care if he turns back into a human or not ? And then there's the ending . It doesn't resolve anything . It's like the movie just ends halfway through the story . It wraps up with a voice over telling what happens next . What's up what that ? That sucks ! I was very disappointed with this film .

  • 027 4  Hayao Miyazaki has many hobbies , and these show up in the long list of themes in his movies . His movies almost always have a strong female lead . This is because he's a feminist . He loves machines , especially airplanes and the entire field of aviation . He loves bizarre and cute creatures , and likes to include tough old men ( like himself ) as the mentor or teacher . This movie was one written for Miyazaki . He made a movie he wanted to see . In fact , it was originaly written for business men and airplane enthusiasts , as he said in an interview after its release . Yet , because it's such a good story , and the feelings involved are all good ones , all ages love this movie . As I have said , and will , these Disney re-masters ( Cat Returns , Nausicaa , Porco ) all are a great addition for family , Ghibli fans , or anyone who like animation and great stories . Porco Rosso is the story of Marco , a man changed into a pig by a strange curse after the war . It takes place in the Mediterranian , over the Adriatic Sea , then takes us to Milan in Italy during the 1930 ' s . All of these are beautifully done , so much so that you may just want to visit the ocean . And the period deals with ( basically only touches on ) the fascism in Italy at the time . But , now that he's a pig , and no longer a soldier ( because of the regime ) , he has become a seaplane bounty hunter , under the name ' Porco Rosso ' ( thats crimson pig in italian ) . When the sea pirates he hunts band with a hotshot american pilot named Donald Curtis , Porco and Curtis are more than ready to meet in the sky . After an amazing dogfight sequence with Curtis , Porco's plane needs repairs , so he heads to Milan where his mechanic Piccolo resides . Once there , he meets old man Piccolo's gorgeous granddaughter Fio . She's only 17 , and for her first job , she may just have to engineer Porco's entire plane . This is only the first third , and there are so many more points , but the story is never too confusing , or convoluted . Anyone can follow it and it never gets too adult either . The quality is great , anyone who has seen Kiki's Delivery Service or some of the other Ghibli films with the European cityscapes , these are done by the same amazing art director . He has such detail , from the middle of the ocean , to Milan , everything is crisp and well colored . They show up beautifully on this version , and Disney really out did themselves with such a good transfer . They have kept the film intact , but without any pops , jitters , or fuzz . The sound is great , another one with a grand score . If you have surround sound this one is probably the best for effects , plus the orchestral score just pops out , making the flight scenes as moving as the romantic ones . The special features are the standard for these collections , with language options and subtitles , japanese TV trailers and spot , and 2 more familiar featurettes . This time , it's the Behind the Microphone from the other Disney releases , only they seem to cover a lot more of the voice replacement process . It features Michael Keaton of Batman fame as Porco , Susan Egan ( meg from hercules ) as Gina , Cary Elwes ( from Saw ) as Curtis , the Mamma Aiuto Boss by Brad Garret from Everybody loves Raymond , David Ogden Stiers as Grandpa Piccolo ( he is so many disney voices , and Winchester from the MASH series ) . One thing it left out was the french dub they did , which featured many famous french actors including Jean Reno as Porco , but maybe they did a PAL version with french features . . . Second on the featurette list is an interview with the producer , Toshio Suzuki . This is informative and funny , and if you are a Ghibli fan , this is sure to please . ( Not as good as the one on Nausicaa though ) The second disc rounds out Extras with a Complete Storyboard . Again , this is the audio from the movie to Miyzaki's own drawings and boards . Think audio comic . Not all that grand for specials and that's why it lost a star . In another ten years , the second disc will be bigger I'm sure , and I will not feel so bad about taking a star away . But you just exoect more with two discs , and for such an amazin movie , they should be rolling out lots more red carpet . Overall , a fantastic movie worth buying , and if you don't get any of these Miyazaki movies , try your best to SEE this one . Or , do like me and buy them all . . . .
    • 001 4  From a fan and student of Miyazaki-san : Porco Rosso is the master's most autobiographical work , for once he was not trying to impart any moral or environmental lessons to children or young girls or the Japanese society , as most of his other works did - - - but a heartfelt fantasy projection of himself ( being an independent agent neither belonging to your typical Japanese Anime Industry or the Hollywood / Disney American Culture juggernaut , as symbolized by the brash American Pilot-Fighter , Curtis ) . It's also a celebration of his fellow frustrated romantic and idealistic adults ( many tired Japanese salary men and animators ) who have not completely surrendered their youthful dreams to the MAN / military industry . Set in Post WWI Europe , where Fascism was on the rise , the Continental world it captured was a last breath of fantastic and natural freedom before a long darkness set in . . . The genius stroke here is by turning the protagonist into a PIG , a whimsical yet literal mockery on those old-fashioned / outdated all-male / brotherhood chauvinist melodramatic adventure genre it so lovingly appropriates , and a gentle dig on mankind in general , all in good and slightly surreal fun . In this story , Miyazaki made fun ( instead of preaching to ) of his society , himself and his prominent role in it . Yet , behind all the cartoony surface lies the touching elegiac sadness of a lost past and a yearning hope ( placed esp . on a young female ) for a better future , straight from Miyazaki-san's cynical / sentimental heart . Presented as a light-hearted lark only makes its immersing nostalgia and lyricism all the more spontaneously enchanting and unexpectedly affecting . A magical paradox of his great art . Porco Rosso is the Casablanca of cartoons with a touch of Roald Dahl , and the most under-rated and overlooked of Miyazaki's fabulous work .
    • 002 4  I am a fanatic for the works of Miyazaki , and this is my favorite among his works . There is no heavy-handed message other than his dislike of Fascism ; there are no cute or bizarre animals other than the hero , and cute is just not the word for him ; there are adventure , derring-do , light-hearted fight scenes , strong female figures , comic villains , romance , great achievements , a touch of magic , and the typically fanatical Miyazaki attention to detail . This is an atypical light adventure film and is suitable for children from 9 to 99 . It's charming , fun , and simply wonderful . Please , buy it . I can only hope that Amazon will package this in a 3 - pack with Nausicaa in the Valley of Wind and My Neighbor Totoro , all due ( actually LONG overdue ) for simultaneous release . ( The official date of release is now Feb . 22 , and it will be released with Nausicaa and The Cat Returns ; Totoro is not currently scheduled . This is mistifying , as The Cat Returns is actually a sequel to another Ghibli [ but not Miyazaki ] film that has never been released in the U.S . )
    • 018 4  Animation fans rejoice ! Apart from Nausica of the Valley of Wind , Porco Rosso is simply one of the most entertaining , fascinating and beautiful Studio Ghibli films ever . A prime example of the kind of film you'll never see come out of an American studio , it's simply too different , too hard to define , it doesn't fit nicely into a genre niche . But that's what makes it so great . Action , humor , a flying ace that just happens to be a pig and a surprisingly touching romantic subplot . . . who could ask for more . You ? Well what about fantastic animation , awe inspiring hand animated aerial dog fights and vicious air pirates ? If you're a fan of animated films or of Studio Ghibli , or if you simply enjoy great film , you owe it to yourself to see Porco Rosso .
    • 020 4  Porco Rosso is the story of Marco , an aerial soldier-of-fortune in the Adriatic during the 1930s . Because of his selfish nature , brought on by the loss of loved ones and friends , he is under an enchantment which has turned him into a pig . Forced into an aerial dual with an American mercenary over a girl , Porco comes to realize that people love him in spite of himself and his desire to drive people away . This is like a European film done in Japanese animation and I love it . It is witty , has adult level humor ( not sexual but things kids wouldn't get ) , and it allows Hayao Miyazaki to indulge in more facinating aircraft . First class voice talent including Michael Keaton as Marco / Porco , Brad Garrett , Bill Fagerbakke , Kimberly Williams and favorites of other Studio Ghibli / Disney releases - David Ogden Stiers , Susan Egan , and Cary Elwes - give added depth to the outstanding animation . Now for the , Not one for the younger kids disclaimer . Since this is targeted at adults and has a European flavor with Japanese production , the film has characters smoking and drinking . ( Not that it bothers me but I don't have younger kids . ) Besides that , there is no cuteness as there is in Totoro or Kiki's Delivery Service . I highly recommend this - just put the kids to bed first and kick-back and enjoy .
    • 023 4  This review is from : Porco Rosso ( DVD ) This is really a gorgeous movie , like all Studio Ghibli offerings . Having read the reviews and commentary that Miyazaki was aiming at businessmen , I bought this for me - however , my 4 year old daughter loves this movie as much as she loves Kiki's Delivery Service . There is nothing too scary , and there are enough jokes and great flying scenes to not only keep my daughter's attention , but also for her to demand to see it again and again .
    • 024 4  This is really a gorgeous movie , like all Studio Ghibli offerings . Having read the reviews and commentary that Miyazaki was aiming at businessmen , I bought this for me - however , my 4 year old daughter loves this movie as much as she loves Kiki's Delivery Service . There is nothing too scary , and there are enough jokes and great flying scenes to not only keep my daughter's attention , but also for her to demand to see it again and again .
    • 026 4  My favorite Ghibli film by far , Porco Rosso is unique among the other works by the studio in achieving the same sense of magic and wonderment while being set firmly in the real world . There are other enjoyable works set in reality such as My Neighbor the Yamadas or I can Hear the Sea , but the charm in Porco Rosso is grander , at the same time more subtle . You know those pathetic hollywood action flick commercials ? - the ones that say something like this is a hero who can triumph over anything . . . except his past . Porco Rosso is essentially that , except here we see what happens when the film-maker actually commits to bringing depth to the characters and the world around , instead of making passing references like most hollywood films do . Porco's past is revealed , almost seductively , over the entire film . This is a love story that does not directly deal with love . It lets love happen as the characters live their life .
    • 039 4  This review is from : Porco Rosso ( DVD ) I liked this film a lot . The big flaw in this release can be summarized in one word , Disney . It was not the name American actors I found distracting , it was the lines the writers chose for the voiceovers . In typical ( current ) Disney fashion , the script contains colloquialisms that are so up to date , they are already dated . The engineer character is also given superfluous , decidedly feminist lines that are absent in the Japanese version ( if I may rely on subtitles for that evaluation ) . On first viewing the Disney-dubbed English version , I noted that the Curtis character appeared to be a caricature of an American as seen through a Japanese ( or Italian ) person's eyes . Comparing the Japanese version , I find that Disney injected a lot of explicit Ugly American into the Curtis character , having Curtis deriding the French language or shouting the ridiculous here comes the American ( both absent in the Japanese version ) . Curtis is plenty boastful and arrogant ( and tall ) in the Japanese version , and anyone but a small child would observe he's being portrayed in a certain way . Disney did not help the presentation of this character by laying out his personality for consumption at the fourth grade reading level . It is very typical of recent Disney to spell things out and ruin them , after the movie writer skillfully wove the same message into the script well enough that anyone over the age of 10 with a 90 or better IQ could figure it out . On the plus side , everything said so far . Porco's initial negotiations with the engineer are brilliant ( English or Japanese ) , and the portrayals of motion and old mechanical airplanes make the movie intensely visually interesting . I give the Japanese version a 5 and the Disney-English version a 3 ( 2.8 is more like it ) . Luckily , this product contains both . Split the difference and call it a 4 .
    • 040 4  I liked this film a lot . The big flaw in this release can be summarized in one word , Disney . It was not the name American actors I found distracting , it was the lines the writers chose for the voiceovers . In typical ( current ) Disney fashion , the script contains colloquialisms that are so up to date , they are already dated . The engineer character is also given superfluous , decidedly feminist lines that are absent in the Japanese version ( if I may rely on subtitles for that evaluation ) . On first viewing the Disney-dubbed English version , I noted that the Curtis character appeared to be a caricature of an American as seen through a Japanese ( or Italian ) person's eyes . Comparing the Japanese version , I find that Disney injected a lot of explicit Ugly American into the Curtis character , having Curtis deriding the French language or shouting the ridiculous here comes the American ( both absent in the Japanese version ) . Curtis is plenty boastful and arrogant ( and tall ) in the Japanese version , and anyone but a small child would observe he's being portrayed in a certain way . Disney did not help the presentation of this character by laying out his personality for consumption at the fourth grade reading level . It is very typical of recent Disney to spell things out and ruin them , after the movie writer skillfully wove the same message into the script well enough that anyone over the age of 10 with a 90 or better IQ could figure it out . On the plus side , everything said so far . Porco's initial negotiations with the engineer are brilliant ( English or Japanese ) , and the portrayals of motion and old mechanical airplanes make the movie intensely visually interesting . I give the Japanese version a 5 and the Disney-English version a 3 ( 2.8 is more like it ) . Luckily , this product contains both . Split the difference and call it a 4 .
    • 045 4  My first Miyazaki movie was Howl's Moving Castle . I liked it so much I looked for more of his work . I came across Porco Rosso but passed on it because I thought a flying pig would be too silly for me . Well after buying most of the other films of Miyazaki and not disappointed I finally bought Porco Rosso . I guess I shouldn't be surprised that it was just as good as the rest of his films . The artwork is top notch . Story keeps you interested all the way through . The seaplanes are great . Voices are terrific . Especially David Ogden Stiers from MASH as Grandpa Piccolo . There is some violence , tabacco and alcohol use in this film so some might not want their children to see . It's more for adults and young children would not understand some of the situations but I personally don't think any of this film would be bad for children . Highly recommended and very enjoyable . Steve
    • 046 4  This movie works on two levels . You can enjoy it as standard family friendly adventure fair or you can ponder some of the subtler themes and exactly what the humanoid pig thing is actually all about . As with every Ghibli movie I can think of , there are some great flying scenes - - only more so this time , as airplanes play a central role in the film . Unlike some of Disney's other Ghibli dubs , I really like the voice acting on this one . So , even if you generally only watch subs , you might want to give the English audio track a try .
    • 053 4  Like Princess Mononoke , Porco Rosso takes a different direction than what we've come to expect from Miyazaki . There is no young female lead here , nor are there many children to speak of . In many ways , it's a romance of sorts , though filled with some rather intense action scenes , usually involving sky high gun fights . Unlike Princess Mononoke , this movie is not serious . The main character is a pig-faced legend of a pilot who wants nothing more than to reverse the curse on himself . Still , even with the curse , his skill at flying is unrivaled , and he proves it constantly when he battles sky pirates . Finally , frustrated at constantly losing against Porco , the pirates hire Curtis , an ace American pilot that matches up pretty well against Porco . But it's when Curtis goes after Porco's love interest that he really begins to take things personal , and so the battle intensifies . What's funny , however , is that their battles doesn't end in the sky . This was a surprising twist , and the fight , truthfully , is hilarious . This is one of the those movies that can't be judged until it's seen . The cover doesn't do it justice . The animation quality , like in all Miyazaki films , is top notch , the story is as touching , if just a notch more mature , as his other stories . And , the new format for what is obviously a Miyazaki film is refreshing . Though not the best of Miyazaki's films , it ranks well with other anime films and , if not for Studio Ghibli's constant stream of masterpieces , Porco Rosso would be a legendary anime . Plus , Disney applied their considerable weight and got some top voices for this movie , including Michael Keaton . Pick this up if your an unbiased fan of anime .
    • 055 4  Porco's romance with Gina , who runs a pilots ' club and hotel in the Adriatic ; his friendship with a young girl named Fio who is a talented airplane engineer ; and his riverly with a hotshot American pilot named Curtis . The origin and nature of Porco's curse are never fully explained , although the question does arise in the movie .
    • 065 4  This review is from : Porco Rosso ( DVD ) While this film of course has its share of silly , slapstick comedy a child may enjoy ; the theme itself has a 1950s Bogart quality to it . You can throw in this movie and Casablanca and see where I'm going at . I enjoyed the movie not just as a beautifully animated feature , but a wonderful story that could be retold as an Oscar-worthy live action feature film . I would highly recommend this to fans of Studio Ghibli , Bogart classics , romance , action , and suspense .
    • 067 4  Porco Rosso is about an Italian World War I flying ace who is now working as a freelance bounty hunter . Somewhere along the line , he was cursed and transformed into a pig ; however , the film never explains how he got the curse . Originally known as Marco Pagot , he is now known as Porco Rosso ( which is Italian for Red Pig ) . Porco hunts down seaplane pirates in the Adriatic Sea . Even though Porco is rivals with the pirates , they can coexist with a minimal amount of bloodshed . During the course of the film , we meet his friend Gina , rival Curtis , and Fio ( a 17 - year-old aircraft designer ) . The animation and storytelling are strong points for Porco Rosso . However , I think the pacing of the story may be too slow for younger children to enjoy . Personally , I think this film will appeal to anime viewers who are nine or ten years of age and older . Just like Disney's other Studio Ghibli releases , Porco Rosso was released as a two-disc set . The first disc contains the film and most of the special features . The first special feature is a roughly seven minute long documentary titled , Behind the Microphone . During the documentary , you see some of the voice actors recording the English dialogue for the dub version of the film . There are also interviews with some of the English dub actors ( Susan Egan , Cary Elwes , Michael Keaton , David Ogden Stiers , Brad Garrett , and Kimberly Williams-Paisley ) . It's a decent documentary for what it is . Next is a three-and-a-half minute interview with Toshio Suzuki , the Japanese producer for Porco Rosso . The audio is in Japanese , and English subtitles are provided . Then , there are the original Japanese trailers and TV spots for the film . This feature runs for about eight minutes , and it has Japanese audio with some English subtitles . The spots are in one continuous piece ; there is no way to select which ones you want to see . The final menu option in the special features menu allows you to register the DVD . All that is on the second disc of Porco Rosso is a storyboard version of the film ; basically , it's the movie , expect it only utilizes storyboards and none of the actual animation . Just like with Disney's other Studio Ghibli releases , I just don't understand releasing a storyboard version of the film on a second disc . If you are a fan of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli's films , then you should see Porco Rosso . Even with the unnecessary second disc , this is a DVD that should be in the collection of any anime fan .
    • 078 4  Porco Rosso is indeed a swashbuckling aviator of old . He was an italian wwII fighter pilot who becomes a cynical pig after seeing the war and its effects firsthand . Afterwards , Porco makes his living by thwarting air pirates attempt's to raid luxury cruise ships . His mercenary existance becomes interrupted when the pirates contract Curtiss , an ambitious , egotistical , american pilot to take him down in order for them to make a living free of Porco . Enter in two strong willed heroines , one who knew Porco's former human self-Marco and Fio a young airplane engineer who rebuilds his distroyed plane and re-awakens Porco's noble side when she becomes a prize to be fought for .
    • 095 4  Any avid fan of anime , historical fiction , and Studio Ghibli films should add this to their collection . It has great Sea plane / Pirate action sequences , and as always , the classic Miyazaki , touch-of-genius in every frame . My family loves this DVD , even my four yr old can't get enough of Marco Rossolini and his sea plane exploits . Wish we would've bought it sooner ! We love this middle-aged Pig and his blinding Red Sea Plane ! / / the Dengler Family / /
    • 096 4  - - The Good - - The animation was wonderful , the backdrops amazing , the planes cool , the characters fascinating , but . . . - - The Bad - - The story of Porco Rosso is - well , undercooked . Several interesting storylines were started ( and some were vaguely hinted at ) during the course of the movie , but only a couple of these treated with the care they needed and deserved . It almost seemed as though the writers had too many ideas for the budget to handle . Just as things began to approach spiral-sliced honey ham perfection the film rudely ends . It's sort of a let down . Oh well , the dogfights were fun , and Porco's fist fight with Curtis at the end of the film was mildly amusing . Soooo much more could have been done with this film . - - The Ugly - - I expected a bizarre mixed up story with a peacenik or environmental message - since Ghibli is good at that sort of drivel . I also expected some kind of weird spiritual journey . At least part of my expectations were met . The viewer was given a healthy troughful of anti-war goodness and plenty of ugly American stereotyping . - - The Other White Meat - - Porco is some pig , no doubt ! I'd say that he's the best chain-smoking , wine-swilling pig-man seaplane pilot in the whole universe ! I did find it odd that he had such a broad social network since he's supposed to be the consummate loner , and , well , a PIG ! - - Final Analysis - - Porco Rosso is a visually stunning film . It's entertaining , a little strange , and most definitely undercooked .
    • 097 4  This is my favorite Ghibli film and my second favorite Miyazaki film next to Cagliostro . Now , on to my beef with the English dub . I usually only watch the english dubs for animes when it is a from a company that I can trust to do a decent job since I prefer it in its native tongue . Disney then decided to give me and my home state , ALABAMA ( that's right ) , a kick in our proudly displayed testicles by changing the american rival Curtis ' home from ALABAMA to texas . Texas ? By God , man , texas is like a hundred miles away ( estimate ) . In Japanese , Curtis proudly says ALABAMA . But in English , as if no one in the united states knows about the glory of ALABAMA , he says texas . What kind of world do we live in where a Japanese speaking American based character says clearly in a moment of English , ALABAMA , and then a American based company decides to change it to texas . Alphabetically , we are the first state in the Union , so choke on that !
    • 107 4  A known fact about Hayao Miyazaki is his love for classic planes . In 1992 he brought his love of planes to life in the high flying adventure ' Porco Rosso ' . This is the tale of Marco Rossillini . Once a proud Italian air force pilot , too proud for his own good which brought curse a on him . The curse , you guessed it turned him into a pig . Now a beloved outlaw constantly foiling the crimes of notorious air pirate gangs they have brought Porco his match in the egotistical American Jack Curtis . Now with a new enemy Porco has to stop being pig headed and have a little faith in his friends . Only then can he rise against Curtis and become a real airborne legend . I had been told this is one of the most beloved Studio Ghibli films , but unfortunatly it didn't really work for me . The voice acting was great having some legends like Michael Keaton and Brad Garret , who practically stole the show as Boss . It was the story that was just too simple for me . The begining and ending sequences are so much fun filled with amazing planes bright colors and hysterical moments , but there is really no meat in between the two . The only thing I did like was his origin and how he got the curse and all this talk about him being a pig was just a tad over done . Still , I am glad I got to see it and I would say it's a movie to see maybe you will have a better time watching it .
    • 108 4  This review is from : Porco Rosso ( DVD ) Someof the elements in this movie have that Studio Ghibli magical touch , but most of it is too real for me to enjoy . Yeah , the guy's a pic and that's magical , but that's about it . Too many flying scenes as well .
    • 109 4  Someof the elements in this movie have that Studio Ghibli magical touch , but most of it is too real for me to enjoy . Yeah , the guy's a pic and that's magical , but that's about it . Too many flying scenes as well .
    • 110 4  Walter Disney must be spinning in his coffin . Release these DVDs . Porco Rosso , Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and My Neighbor Totoro are on hold for 6 more Years , this is sad , very sad . Are these movies a threat to Disney's Cartoon Empire ?

  • 041 4  Of the films by Hayao Miyazaki I have viewed thus far ( keep in mind that I have yet to see HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE ) , PORCO ROSSO is my least favorite . Alternately known as THE CRIMSON PIG , this gorgeously animated yet oddly themed tale about a tormented pilot transformed into a pig was the highest grossing movie of its year ( 1992 ) . But I didn't find PORCO ROSSO as captivating as Miyazaki's other films ; perhaps because I've been spoiled by the adventurous spirit and imagination of NAUSICAA , CASTLE IN THE SKY , and PRINCESS MONONOKE , the whimsy and charm of KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE and MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO and the surrealness of SPIRITED AWAY . The film eschews all these to tell a story geared more toward grown-ups than children . With the exception of one mystified moment of imagination ( a flashback sequence involving fallen airplanes ascending to a streaming trail of vapor - - Airplane Heaven , perhaps ? ) , the overall movie is more rooted in reality . When concentrating on character development and breathtaking flight sequences in the sky , PORCO ROSSO is at its best . But occasional shifts in the plot feel more obtrusive than interesting , and consequently , I didn't find this movie as memorable as Miyazaki's other work . By the time the credits rolled , I was of two minds - - this was a pretty , well , strange movie , but still good . . . it just didn't click with me as much . ( Though I still give the movie my highest recommendation . ) That said , I now have a huge amount of respect for PORCO ROSSO . And I owe it , mainly , to this two-disc DVD set by Disney . The visual transfer is crisp , clean and vibrant , showcasing the beautiful skies and oceans when our hero is in flight . The audio quality on the English , Japanese , and French language tracks is Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround , which is a little disappointing for a film of this caliber , but understandable given the age . Purists will be happy to know that the Japanese language track is included , as well as the French language dub featuring Jean Reno as the title character . ( I was told that Miyazaki prefers this version to the original . ) But what about the new Disney produced English dub ? Well , I do admit to being skeptical about Michael Keaton as the pig-headed ( pun-intended ) protagonist . Not that I have anything against the actor or any sort of loyalty to the original Japanese seiyuu or Jean Reno , it's just that I had a vision on how Porco Rosso should sound , and Keaton was not it . After sitting through this dub , however , I lay my case to rest - - Michael Keaton is an excellent Porco Rosso . His dry , deadpan delivery works in favor of the character's melancholy , cynical nature ; but he's not afraid to let loose on the scenes where he's emotional either . The rest of the cast is equally well matched . Susan Egan plays the thrice widowed bar singer Gina with the same amount of sarcasm and vulnerability she gave Lin in SPIRITED AWAY . She also has a great singing voice - - for continuity's sake , Disney had Egan redub Gina's siren song , and boy , is it beautiful . Cary Elwes turns in a gallantly boastful and hilarious performance as Porco's rival pilot , Donald Curtis , whose sole weakness is falling for every woman he sets eyes upon . ( He also speaks with a surprisingly convincing Southern accent . ) Deep-voiced Brad Garrett voices the ringleader of a macho band of seaside pirates with the kind of pomposity and heavy-weightiness you would expect , but also remembers to showcase the character's secretly softhearted nature . Although the banter between his pirate gang isn't as memorable as , say , Phil Hartman's Jiji from KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE , or even the guys who played the Dola Pirate Gang from CASTLE IN THE SKY , the chemistry between this bunch of thugs is undeniably funny . David Ogden Stiers hams it up as Grandpa Piccolo , employing a thick Italian accent , which actually makes his character all the more amusing . It is probably daring to say that in every Disney / Miyazaki dub , there is always one actor standing out from all the others , practically stealing the show . In KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE , it was Hartman ; in PRINCESS MONONOKE , Keith David ; in SPIRITED AWAY , Suzanne Pleshette ; in CASTLE IN THE SKY , Mark Hamill tied with Cloris Leachman ; in NAUSICAA , Patrick Stewart . So , yes , there is one such standout in this dub of PORCO ROSSO , and this time it's in the form of Kimberly Williams-Paisley . She does an absolutely bang-up job as the spunky , irrepressible engineer , Fio , who befriends ( and becomes smitten with ) Porco , and the chemistry between her and Keaton is a delight . As with KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE and CASTLE IN THE SKY , the script occasionally makes a habit of reinterpreting and / or altering lines for either comprehensibility , or for the sake of a good joke . Writers Cindy Davis Hewitt and Donald H . Hewitt never overstep their boundaries , though , and remember to retain all the important lines , just like the aforementioned two dubs did ( which were both scripted by John Semper , incidentally ) . All in all , I ended up enjoying the dub more than I thought ; it really made the movie a lot better for me IMHO . Additional features include a Behind-the-Microphone featurette ( which I always like watching ; it's a thrill to see the actors at work ! ) , Japanese trailers and TV spots , and the second disc devoted to storyboards . One noteworthy extra is a 3 - minute interview with producer Toshio Suzuki . A longtime colleague of Miyazaki , Suzuki shares his wisdom about this gifted , imaginative animator , and it's a pleasure to hear him talk about this film's assets . Disney continues their first-rate treatment of Miyazaki's titles with this nicely put together package of what is probably his oddest movie yet . I may not consider this my favorite of the works Miyazaki has done , but you're inclined to disagree . Besides , Miyazaki at his least is still highly recommended ; you could definitely do a whole lot worse by missing out on a less memorable but still fabulous film .
    • 008 4  Even in his lesser efforts , Miyazaki's film surpass just about everything else that is taking place in feature length animation . Although I have managed to see most of his films over the years , PORCO RUSSO ( Red Pig ) is one that I have just seen for the first time , thanks to the series of high quality rereleases that Disney is undertaking . Apart from the long autoplay Disney commercial that intrudes upon the viewer when you first put the disc in , I must admit that Disney continues to do an excellent job in these releases , providing both the original Japanese version as well as consistently excellent English dubbings . By any standard , Miyazaki has established his reputation as the premiere feature length animator in film PORCO RUSSO is not a masterpiece along the lines of SPIRITED AWAY or NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND , but it supplies further proof of Miyazaki's versatility and breadth . The setting is untypical , focusing on air pirates in the Adriatic , with excursions into Italy , though the focus on airplanes is profoundly typical of his work . Porco Russo is a highly accomplished bounty hunter , famous for his red airplane and for having mysteriously been transformed into a pig . His aeronautic preeminence , however , has been challenged by the sudden appearance of a cocky American flier , who has been hired to protect the air pirates and who seemingly disposes of Porco Russo when he shoots down his plane when the engine is stalled . To be honest , the plot is adequate , but the real joy of the film lies in watching the interaction of the characters onscreen , and at marveling at the superb animation . All the details are simply perfect , from the studied stylishness of Porco Russo's outfits , which seem to have been copied directly from the pages of J . Peterman catalogs , to the specifics of the airplane design . There is also the elegance in the way Miyazaki's characters move and the way he frames each scene using the rhythm and pacing one associates with live action films rather than animation . Whereas the typical Disney film for decades contained all the action in the foreground , Miyazaki frequently allows the foreground to dominate the screen visually , while the action takes place in the deep background . I suppose very few will experience this as their first venture into the magic that I Miyazaki . If so , as wonderful as this film is , the best is yet to come . Based merely on films such as NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND , MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO , SPIRITED AWAY , and THE PRINCESS MONONOKE Miyazaki would have to go down as the finest animator of all time , since while others employ entire teams to produce the film , Miyazaki writes , directs , and serves as primary animator . But when one adds in such films as PORCO RUSSO , which would represent the highpoint in the career of most other animators , his brilliance is made even more obvious .
    • 028 4  Porco Rosso or red pig in 1992 is the movie originally for Miyazaki himself . It is composed of almost everything he loves and is keen on . GINA WHO SINGS CHANSON Gina in this movie is the rare mature adult woman character that sets apart the rest of Miyazaki works . Miyazaki's films have a lot of young teen ( or pre-teen ) heroines and this movie also has the typical Miyazaki film heroine Fio an 18 - year-old plane designer who eventually fell in love with Porco Rosso . But it is no doubt Gina's presence that gives the movie adult romance flavor something like the movies Humphrey Bogart or Gregory Peck might be starring . Gina part of Japanese dub is performd by Tokiko Katou who is said to be the model of Gina . ( Miyazaki is the huge fan of Katou's chanson singing for sure ! ) REPAIR SHOP FULL OF WOMEN Just that was the way of the arms factory also the home for little Miyazaki during the second world war , according to his elder brother . During the war in Japan , most of the men were called for war . The shop must be maintained mostly by the hands of women . FRENCH DUB Jean Reno performs Porco Rosso's voice . He is the huge fan of Miyazaki's works . COLLECTION OF CLASSIC AIRPLANES The movie in itself is the museum of such planes Miyazaki has been crazy about . Verdict : Strong Miyazaki identity . Fan's dreamland . Rating : 93 out of 100 . Minus three points for clone-alike little girls in early stage . Recommended for : Every Miyazaki fan who also loves something mechanic and / or classic movie lovers .

  • 054 4  Porco Rosso is a rare gem of a movie . It appealed to me in so many ways , and kept me interested from the very begining . It's not Sprited Away , but then again , what is ? While not my favorite Myazaki movie , it's a great film and a wonderful piece of art .
    • 085 4  I started with Spirited Away and got hooked immediately with these type of movies . Porco Rosso is great ! Highly recommended .

  • 077 4  You can feel that they makes a great work of research , the places , the things , the people , it's incredible . . . . . one for all , Milan it's like the real city.It's for these reason that i like Miyazaki's works , it's a pleasure relax yourself with amzing tales and fantastic draws !
    • 075 4  This is a good family kind of a movie . It is a heart worming movie that the whole family can enjoy together .
    • 093 4  It's one of my favorite movies ! The disc and box came in great condition . I'll be watching it over and over again . : )

  • 089 4  have watched a couple of times and the wit of this movie stands out . The quote about being pig rather than facist still makes me smile

    • 094 4  I have all of this director films and they are all so different but worth seeing you will laugh feel happy and even at times be concern it a master piece that kids and adults are delighted the story is base on real events that an aviator has and what is needed at times to get from one side of the world tothe other but of course there lots of adventure and the details of the planes are wonderful the colors are so perfect and you will want to view Houls moving castle , castle in the sky , the cat returns , my neighbor totoro , naturriso of the valley , you will be glad you did take the time to see these films
      • 043 4  Porco Rosso maybe something completely different from Miyazaki , but it is very well executed . It is just as much of a masterpiece as Spirited Away . Porco Rosso is full of humor , cleverly hidden jokes , and sports a very well written story line . It is a pleasure to watch and a movie I would highly recommend to anyone , even those who have never seen a Studio Ghibli film . As my number three favorite movie of all time , I believe the movie is worth every cent and is one of very few movies I could watch in a loop for hours . If you are looking for a great movie to add to your collection , you've found it .
      • 056 4  Lots of other people have commented ; I just wanted to add that those of you who think the ending is ambiguous should watch it again , more carefully . Much , much more carefully ; the things you're spotting are subtle and appear only briefly .
      • 072 4  the movie porco rosso is a great story about a WWI flying ace who after the war became a bountyhunter . the story is more than that though , its filled with romance , actcion , and comedy . all of this is based in a whimsical world that could only be imagined by the great director hayao miyazaki , one of the greatest film makers of our time . this is a really great movie and a must see for the young and young at heart .
      • 091 4  As a collector of Disney animation and classics , I love the Japanese animation films . I believe this is the last of my collection . Very happy with the product . Haven't been disappointed yet and I use amazon and ebay frequently .

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