Porco Rosso

In 1992, Walt Disney Pictures released “Newsies,” “The Mighty Ducks,” “The Muppet Christmas Carol” and one of their biggest animated films ever, “Aladdin.” Simultaneously, Studio Ghilbi, a company that few Americans had heard of, released their sixth animated movie, “Porco Rosso.” The studio already had giant achievements with films like “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Kiki’s Delivery Service” and director Hayao Miyazaki was being called the Japanese Walt Disney.

Like many Studio Ghibli films, “Porco Rosso” takes place in Europe. Marco Rousolini, voiced by Michael Keaton, was a World War I fighter pilot that became a bounty hunter after the war. A curse left him with a pig face and he went by the name Porco Rosso (Italian for Red Pig). His journeys have him fighting against air pirates and he soon finds out that the fascist Italian government has told the pirates to track him.

Alex Reif said in his review, “Porco Rosso started out as a short film for Japan Airlines that would be based on a short Manga that Hayao Miyazaki wrote in 1989 called The Age of the Flying Boat. When it was expanded into a feature, Japan Airlines remained a sponsor and even played it on flights before it opened in theaters.” It was the number one film in Japan in 1992, beating Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” which was released in Japan in September of that same year.

Disney got the American distribution rights to “Porco Rosso” in 1996, but didn’t release it until 2005 when Studio Ghibli was famous in America thanks to critics giving praises to “Spirited Away” and “Howl’s Moving Castle.” Disney’s English dub has an all star voice cast that includes Michael Keaton as Porco Rosso, the great Cary Elwes, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Susan Egan, David Ogden Stiers and Brad Garrett. John Lasseter looked over the English language dub for quality control. He is good friends with Miyazaki and is a big fan of Studio Ghibli films.

“Porco Rosso” is an excellent addition to any Studio Ghibli fan’s movie shelf. Reif ended his review by saying, “This Blu-Ray release is far superior to the previous DVD release. It’s not one of my favorite Ghibli films, but I still enjoy it every time.”

I can safely say that this is one of my absolute favorite Ghibli films. I just love the flight sequences, the story, the voice cast, the characters and the animation. On top of that, this might quite possibly be Studio Ghibli's funniest film. It is very entertaining as everyone, especially Keaton, has very funny lines. This is one of the best films that Studio Ghibli ever made. Understandably, this is both of my siblings’ favorite Studio Ghibli film. More power to anyone who says that this is their favorite Studio Ghibli film because I completely understand and get it. I love it to, and I can assure you, it’s in my top five favorite Studio Ghibli films. Definitely check this one out if you haven’t.

Look out tomorrow when we look at one of the weirdest films in “Studio Ghibli Month.”