Porco Rosso [DVD]

The opening scene of Porco Rosso shows that the year is 1929, a decade after the First World War. This is depicted on the cover of the magazine Cinema, which rests over Porco Rosso's piggish face. It was a time of high tension throughout Europe and the Mediterranean Sea where the story takes place. In Germany the Nazi's were gaining strength while planning their conquest of Germany and later Europe with the possibility of the world. Italians were under Il Duce's iron rule, as he commanded the Fascist party, the only party allowed. Nineteen twenty-nine was just years before Francisco Franco's control in Spain with a Fascist ideology.What is most alarming is that 1929 was only one decade away from the Second World War, which was slowly brewing throughout Europe. In essence, Hayao Miyazaki literally depicts the year that was in-between the two World Wars, but his film also turns into a political allegory for the that time. This allegory is depicted through a flying pig that defies political undercurrents by collecting bounties on outlaws and trying to stay outside the boundaries of society.Porco Rosso, once a man, now a pig due to a curse, flies for himself only, as he collects bounties and makes life sour for air pirates that terrorize the Mediterranean Sea. Porco lives a lonely life in a hide-away somewhere in Mediterranean Sea where he bathes in the sun when he is not hunting flying pirates. Isolation seems to be Porco's way of dealing with his appearance and the only excursion from his personal island is done with help of darkness. At night shadows help veil his pig face, as he visits his favorite hangout, Hotel Adriano.Miyazaki does a marvelous job in his creation of the character Porco who portrays dispositions such as selfishness, cynicism, and gloom through a pig without hope of being something better. The idea of using a pig is also remarkably brilliant, as the pig is often used as a symbol for greed and sloth. Porco's laziness is depicted through his sunbathing and his inactive participation in politics and society, as the world around him is once again about to crumble.The persona and attire of Porco brings a mood that is experienced through many film noirs where cynical characters meet in sleazy and ominous atmospheres. This is evident when Porco visits Hotel Adriano for the first time when all his enemies are present. The film noir that Porco Rosso offers also augments the cinematic value of the story, as it authentically depicts the time period. The cynicism is further enhanced if the audience reflects on the political atmosphere of the 1930s in Europe where politics divided families and neighbors turned each other in due to different beliefs.In the middle of this an American pilot, Donald Curtis, arrives to claim fame and secure a spot in Hollywood, and maybe later the Presidency. When Curtis for the first time hears Madame Gina sing at the restaurant at Hotel Adriana he falls in love. However, he does not know that her love belongs to another, even though this other does not know. Curtis' reason to come to Europe was to have a dogfight with the infamous Porco Rosso and he finds his opportunity when Porco is on his way to get his plane fixed. This is the way he wants to claim his fame by shooting down Porco, which he successfully does as Porco's plane has a motor problem.Somehow Porco succeeds in getting his plane through Italy and to Milan where Paolo Piccolo a skilled airplane mechanic that he trusts lives. When Porco arrives he discovers that the Paolo's 17-year old American granddaughter is more or less running the show. Initially, Porco is suspicious and wants to go to another mechanic, but is convinced to stay. Fortunately Porco's suspicions are groundless, as his suspicions seem to be more sexist than based on facts. When the plane is fixed Porco can return to his life, as a bounty hunter, but the political climate has changed and it seems to have put Porco in a spot where he is forced to take a side.Hayao Miyazaki's Porco Rosso is a fantastic animated journey that also makes a strong political statement. The film entertains young and old, but also leaves a lot for the audience to ponder while the magnificent animation transcends into the mind through vibrant colors and detailed lines. Cleverly, Miyazaki communicates his story through an obvious storyline that is visually explicit, but also hidden in visual codes and symbols. This means that the film is multifaceted with several ideas that can have an audience member scratching their head for a long time. The story also keeps the viewers on the edge of their seat, as nail-biting suspense leaves the audience guessing what will happen next. Ultimately, this cinematic masterpiece leaves the audience with a fulfilling experience that offers something for everyone.

I have seen this anime movie before, in the subtitled version sold in the Hayao Miyazaki collection. Many dubs of good Japanese anime movies or series are horrible. I have to admit this is a very good dub, and seeing it, I realized I'd missed a few subtle details. I won't spoil it for anyone, but suffice it to say, that I got a completely different take on the ending by hearing this in English. Michael Keaton was an inspired choice as Porco. He gave just the right kind of understated, "man of few words" talk that was expected from his character.While I'm not certain how old this is, it is definitely from before 1998 when Princess Mononoke was released. The animation is first rate all the way, and the art is extraordinary, as we've come to expect from recent Miyazaki films. A friend of mine who viewed it with me said the backgrounds were almost real life, but the characters and things like planes seemed more cartoon like in the foreground. I personally like the effect, as it gives the characters some dimension. Too many drawn animes look two-dimensional all the time. By fading the background a bit and making it more realistic, it brings more life to the characters, and movement of objects.As for the movie, itself it has a good story that on the surface excites the younger audience, and on a bit deeper level gives the adults something to enjoy. Porco has a bit of a comment on the history of the time (pre-World War II). Most of that commentary will go right over younger children, who will love Porco and his adventures. Miyazaki seems to have a love for children. Many of his stories appeal to them without being overly dumbed down, and syrupy.As for my Disney title comment, they have the rights to these films. If Disney spent a little on promotion, this kind of film plays well for American audiences. While it angered me at the time, the way they tanked the distribution of Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away. It may have made some business sense, since they were both in uniquely Japanese settings. Porco Rosso however, is set in the Adriatic Sea, and has many universal adventure concepts, like pirates, spies, airplanes, and hide-a-way desert islands.As for the DVD, top notch all around, two discs with wide-screen and tons of extra's on the second. The transfer looks great, and while I don't have a THX system to try it, its THX certified and includes a THX Optimizer. It's also specially enhanced for 16X9 televisions. An outer cardboard art sleeve protects the inner standard DVD clamshell, which has the same art on it on the cover.