Porco Rosso
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Movie Reviews of Porco Rosso
Movie Review: A wonderful film for all ages
Summary: 5 Stars
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).Movie Review: Beyond charming
Summary: 5 Stars
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.)
Movie Review: Favorite Miyazaki Film
Summary: 5 Stars
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.)
Movie Review: Trust me, the dub is good!
Summary: 5 Stars
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!!
Movie Review: Is it as good as the original release?
Summary: 5 Stars
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.