Porco Rosso (1992)

Didn't do much for me...

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. September 5, 2008

Amazing in every way

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. August 22, 2008

Mediocre.

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. August 17, 2008

Porco Rosso Reviewed by Dr Jim

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R27H202L0Y1KE2 Porco Rossois a favorite movie of Dr Jim of Creating Fandom. It is one of Hayao Miyazaki's best. Dr Jim is such a big fan that... well, take a look for yourself. July 25, 2008

exciting and wonderful

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 July 23, 2008

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