Story & Characters
Every once in a while, from the ashes of the same old, unoriginal mecha or magical girl anime, arises a story that can
actually do what it promises — touch your heart. It is no surprise that it has come from the minds and hearts of Hayao
Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, a company in the business of tugging hearts and bringing magic to the big screen. This film
certainly does not lack the charm, fantasy and the good old reliable Miyazaki luster avid followers, like myself, have
come to depend on.
Circa The Great Depression, Porco (real name, Marco Paggot) finds himself a bounty hunter of the Adriatic Sea, a pilot
renowned for his "glory days" as an officer of the Italian air force. Before his defection, that is. Then
there is the matter that he looks like, well, a pig. The story focuses on Porco's history as a member in the
Italian army and how he was eventually led to leave the army, that has since led to his popular status as an enemy and
outlaw to the Italian forces, his love - or not love - with the gorgeous and romantic club-owner Gina who was widowed to
a few of Porco's late companions, the tale of his piggish features, and his battles with the Italian army and
American pilot and aspiring film personality, Donald Curtis.
The most amazing aspect of Porco Rosso is that everything is so wonderfully understated; the plot does not seem like
much with it's simple concept and the characters lack direct complexity, yet that is what makes them unique and
likeable - the protagonist is simply too lazy to be a protagonist, which ultimately develops his personality and
features. Thought to be Miyazaki's alter ego, Porco is the most amazing and humanistic protagonist I have come
across in quite some time. He is so inclined to keep his feelings to himself, yet through the story we as viewers are
given the chance to feel like we are granted special visitation rights into the film, watching as this seemingly
apathetic character's past unfolds and he is molded into the person-pig he is to the day - sparing us a dramatic
change from apathy to a man contrived in emotion.
Not only is Porco a down-to-earth and simple-complex character, but also the nostalgic owner of Hotel Adriano Gina, Fio,
the starry-eyedmechanic, and the annoying Curtis - who is annoyingly charming - an American pilot are among the list of
characters that are delightful accents to Porco Rosso.
Perhaps the scene in this film most worth watching, aside from Marco's flashbacks in the clouds during his past
battles, is when Gina, from her garden, gazes at Porco as he flies and twirls through the air and she is anticipating
his land only for him to fly away. So much depth is portrayed that it is all too hard not to feel something for both
Porco and Gina in this moment.
I would suggest taking Porco Rosso at not only face-value, an exciting journey of a pig-man, a naive mechanic, a club
owner, and an egoist American actor, but I also recommend searching deeper, for you may just get a glimpse of Hayao
Miyazaki.
Rating: 10
Art
Like the majority of Ghibli produced art, the art of Porco Rosso is clean and simple; however, it is powerful all the
same and without the annoying glamour of high-tech creation. As seen in Sen to Chihiro, Neko no Ongaeshi, and
Mononoke-hime alike, the colors as expected of this studio are breath taking and beautiful and never fail to delight. As
a viewer, one cannot help but be awed by the way the crimson of Porco's plane glistens against the sun and ocean.
The landscapes, given special attention and detail, do justice to the coasts of Croatia and Italy that hint their subtle
and undeniable beauty.
If you take a closer look, I am sure you will see it as well. As always, the art speaks for it self.
Rating: 9
Sound
Sound in all honesty was the biggest disappointment of Porco Rosso. The Japanese and French casts were simply amazing,
but when this spectacular film was put into the hands of Disney they treated this movie with disrespect and destroyed
English images of Gina, Curtis, and many other voice characters of Kurenai No Buta. Although I adore Megara voice
actress Susan Egan, she neither owned up to the French nor Japanese voices of Gina. I expected more from her role that
failed to deliver and impact me as the Japanese and French audio had. Moreover, Cary Elwes, voice of Donald Curtis was
the deepest disappointment:
Who gave him the idea to give Curtis that ridiculous southern accent? The comic genius of Curtis was largely undermined
due to Elwes. The only voice I have no complaints for, thank heavens that Disney got something right, was the voice of
Michael Keaton as Porco. He was actually a suitable choice for the layers of Porco and I am pleased to repeat that knew
how to develop Marco in his own way.
However, I strongly recommend that if you must see the movie in the Disney dub, you view it in the original Japanese or
even the French adaption first. You will appreciate the movie much, much more. Unfortunately, with seeing the English
first you will not like it as much as you would have had you seen the original audio first.
Once again, Disney has produced - at best - a mediocre dub of an otherwise wonderful film.
(The score is lovely)
Rating: 8
Presentation
Overall, despite Disney's dubbing, Porco Rosso, is in my opinion one of Ghibli's greatest achievements (on par
with Mononoke-hime and Totoro). Although I hate to discredit other opinions, I was distraught to see many people found
this film boring, wasteful, and rather dull. I will say with confidence that those who believe such things have either
been dissatisfied with the English voicing and never have seen it in the original format or have simply been too lazy to
look beneath the surface. Porco is simply not a pig because he floated in the sky; his outsides, literally, reflect his
frank disposition. Honesty, if you fail to see the magic in this film perhaps you should view it again.
The English dub may be missing, but even so I can see the wonderful film and story emerging as I watched this movie with
cynicism. I had no interest in seeing it, merely coining it to be a film with a weird pig who flies airplanes in Italy.
But upon seeing it I was delightfully amazed and have since reformed my ignorant opinion, which many have failed to do
themselves.
All I can do is recommend this movie, which has touched my heart, and hope that it touches yours as well.
Remember: A pig who doesn't fly is just a pig.
Rating: 9
Final Verdict
9.1667 (very good)
Reviewed by xxKurumi, Apr 04, 2008
