Porco Rosso

To begin with, the plot is about as thin as dixie plastic cup. I'd give you a feel for it, but I'm afraid you'd tear through the paper wall in the process. Read the summary.

But secondly, and more importantly, the characters are one dimensional and stereotypical. None of them are interesting or captivating in any way. Porco the "rogue" is nothing more than a collection of lame one liners for the two thirds of the movie. He is almost devoid of personality. Some attempt at giving him background is made near the end of the movie, but it's too little too late.

Now, if the main character is bad, and every other character is worse... you get the idea. The red headed beautiful ultra talented feminist in a bottle. Porco's love interest who sings in phoenetic french. "The Pirates". Where, oh, where have I seen those before? Anyways, they're not-so-bad bad guys, as you'll find out about ten seconds into the movie.

Porco's saving grace is its animation and character design. That's it.

If you want beautiful scenes of aerial flying, this is the movie for you. Five stars.

If you want even a moderate plot and somewhat interesting characters, look elsewhere.


why here?   July 7, 2004
Why should I buy Kurenay no buta on Amazon Canada? First of all becouse it is not in the catalogue of Amazon France. But why in France, or in Canada? Isn't it better to purchase such merchandise in Japan or Corea? There you can find the better anime DVD, so what can you find more in this store? There is something in the French version that the same Hayao Miyazaki thinks to be better than the one in the original version: the french track. As the Great Master Miyazaki himself says, the french actors perform even better than the japanese ones, and more, whose voice is the Great Kurenay no Buta? It's Jean Reno's! That's why every Miyazaki's fan forgets Japan, Corea, States and every other place and runs on french or canadian Amazon, full of hope. Please, I will try again and again. Fullfill our hopes.


Miyazaki's Autobiography---Even a Pig Can Fly   June 29, 2004
 8 out of 8 found this review helpful

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.


My favorite Miyazaki too . . .   June 27, 2004
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

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.


Brilliant entertainment   June 4, 2004
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I have seen the original Japanese edition of this one only, but it was great! It is set in the 1920s Italy. Boat planes roam the air. Some are pirates, some are bounty-hunters, some are just plain adventurers, some are Italian Air Force pilots. They are all united in a form of brotherhood. The leading pilot is Porco Rosso, a man turned pig. Why he his turned pig is never really explained. It is hinted that he instead of dying in a dog fight with his friends, he was turned into a pig to live on for a while more. It is all very nicely made, and works almost to the end. Almost, in the end it is hinted, again, that he returns to being a man, and dies. Why is not really clear, because there has not been any katharsis or redemption. That is my sole complaint of the film.
The animations are fantastic, the imagery vary between highly childish to just as highly evocative.