Porco Rosso (1992)

Plot Summary: In 1930s Italy, Porco Rosso, a suave, pig-headed seaplane pilot and bounty hunter, takes on sky pirates, rivals, and personal demons while soaring through breathtaking Mediterranean skies.

Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Producer: Toshio Suzuki
Screenplay: Hayao Miyazaki, based on his manga *Hikōtei Jidai*

Starring:
Shūichirō Moriyama as Porco Rosso (Japanese)
Michael Keaton as Porco Rosso (English)
Tokiko Kato as Madame Gina (Japanese)
Susan Egan as Madame Gina (English)
Akemi Okamura as Fio Piccolo (Japanese)
Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Fio Piccolo (English)
Akio Ōtsuka as Donald Curtis (Japanese)
Cary Elwes as Donald Curtis (English)

 

***SPOILER ALERT***

Miyazaki and Me: A Love-Hate Relationship

Today we travel to Japan (as we often do here at Cine It) with the youngest cinema lover in the house—my 6-year-old daughter. First up from Studio Ghibli here at Cine It! I’ve watched a ton of Miyazaki’s stuff but never had the chance to review them on the blog. Now, let me explain my weird relationship with Miyazaki. My first movie was Spirited Away. The first time I saw it, I fell hard for it—completely in love. I watched it again with friends, and yeah, still good times. Then came the tragic rewatch in a cinema. I was bored to tears. Turns out, without the element of surprise, it’s just a parade of freaky, funky characters. And Studio Ghibli being insanely popular? Well, popular stuff and I don’t usually get along. So, yeah, mixed feelings.

Porco Rosso: Planes, Pigs, and... Pedo Vibes?

Let’s get back to Porco Rosso, based on Miyazaki’s 1989 watercolor manga Hikōtei Jidai. First off, the animation—wow. The flight scenes and airplane details are insane. Makes sense, though. Miyazaki’s dad worked in airplane parts, so this stuff runs in the family. The planes, like the Savoia S.21, are modeled after real 1920s–30s Italian aircraft, and it shows. Porco himself? Hilarious and weirdly charismatic for a pig. The scene with the shot-down airplanes forming a celestial line? Beautiful, in a "makes-you-feel-things" kind of way. The music? Chef’s kiss. But the story? Meh. It’s nothing groundbreaking. For a movie from 1992, the whole “girl power” message was cool—even if the male characters treat Fio like she’s a walking object. Sure, some might find that dynamic a little “pedo,” but in context, it makes sense (mostly).

Worth Watching? Depends on Your Energy Levels

So, here’s the deal: Porco Rosso is definitely worth a watch. But, pro tip: don’t go into it half-asleep. Some parts drag, and if you’re not in the right mood, your eyelids will get heavy. That said, if you’re into aviation, this is a must-watch. For me, the mix of historical and fantasy was solid, and the animation carried the film. Just don’t expect the story to blow your mind. All in all, it’s a movie you’ll probably appreciate more than love—unless planes, pigs, and Studio Ghibli are your ultimate jam.

🎥 Cinematography (10/10):

Stunning flight scenes and meticulous details.

📖 Story (6/10):

A bit slow but with meaningful themes.

🎬 Direction (8/10):

Classic Miyazaki charm and precision.

👥 Characters (7/10):

Porco is charismatic; Fio is empowering, despite some dated elements.

💥 Visual Effects (10/10):

Gorgeous hand-drawn animation, especially the planes.

🎭 Acting (7/10):

Good voice performances, watched in Japanese.

💬 Dialogue (7/10):

"I’d rather be a pig than a fascist."

🌍 Setting/Atmosphere (8/10):

Immersive Mediterranean vibes.

🎵 Music (9/10):

Joe Hisaishi delivers a beautiful score.

😄 Entertainment Value (8/10):

Needs an energetic mood but worth watching.

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