Porco Rosso- Limited Edition Steelbook [Blu-ray + DVD]

I'm surprised, actually rather amazed, that there is only one review for this outstanding film. For anyone familiar with Hayao Miyazaki's work, Porco Rosso is a well-known film. For those not so familiar with this director's work, Porco Rosso presents itself as a new, wonderful film, full of surprises.For one, the hero is actually a human who, somehow (it's never really explained) is under a magic curse that turned him part pig. The concept is both quite funny and at the same time, profoundly sad. Throughout the film, you get glimpses of what Porco looked like as a human. You even get his human name (Marco). And that's about all I can say without spoiling anything.The airplane mechanic who insists upon tagging along with him after his plane goes to the shop for some serious repairs plays a perfect second to the pig. And each and every pirate she runs into, she is able effortlessly to twist them around her finger. It's quite funny. These huge, hulking, sweaty, nasty pirates and this little slip of a girl has them all doing her will within moments. It's just wonderful to see. It's one of Miyazaki's signature characterizations that he's able to draw characters like her who always seems to work perfectly.The fight at the end is nothing short of broad, comedic slap-stick. Even though they're absolutely tearing each other apart, it still comes off as very funny.This is, of course, yet another film for which I break my 4-star maximum rule and give it 5 stars. It definitely deserves 5. No question. The animation is hypnotic. The design is gorgeous, although not quite as breath-taking as Howl's Moving Castle, and each character works within the narrative perfectly. Another all-around win for the animation Master.Another interesting aspect of this film is that it is tied to the other Studio Ghibli film, Whisper of the Heart, which is itself tied to The Cat Returns. In Whisper… there appears a large, very ornate grandfather clock that describes a fantasy version of the relationship story between Porco and Gina. In fact, if you look carefully in Whisper… so as not to miss it, during one particular close-up of the clock face, the words "Porco Rosso" are very clearly engraved right there on that clock face. So the connection obviously is very much intended. Beyond this, of course, you'll have to work out the details for yourself. I don't want to give away everything.My understanding is that Miyazaki planned for a sequel to this film sometime around 2004. Nothing happened — yet; but there's still a chance that it will. All us Miyazaki fans are keeping our fingers crossed.

My son absolutely loved it.

Good condition

Good movie for the whole family. We all knew different things like comparing old films to this one, and comparing the war. Opened good conversations

What's better than a studio ghibli movie? Yeah nothing that's what I thought. This movie is no exception, the plot, visuals, and overall emotion from the music was on point for this as it is with every other movie I've seen from them. It was my fith time watching this film, and I still rented it because I knew it was worth the money for the watch. 10/10.

This movie doesn't get anywhere near the recognition it deserves, perhaps because it's geared towards an older audience than other films from Ghibli. An absolute masterpiece. Charming characters, stunning art that captures the beauty of the Adriatic Sea, the perfect blend of wistfulness, whimsy, and adventure, with a narrative undercurrent that addresses survivor's guilt, the politics of fascist Italy, the decadence of the 1920s leading up to the Great Depression, and other heavy subjects with taste and tact.The steelbook is obviously beautiful too, with included art and comments from Miyazaki on his approach to making the film. Highly recommended.

Hayao Miyazaki’s 1999 film, “Porco Rosso,” adapts Miyazaki’s 1989 watercolor manga about a World War I fighter ace cursed to become an anthropomorphic pig who works as a bounty hunter in a seaplane defending the Adriatic Sea against sea pirates. The story is a great adventure narrative featuring fun pirates, glamorous singers, dashing and heroic pirates, and stunning airplanes. Miyazaki loves airplanes and the story is a beautiful celebration of the sea and sky. A great film for viewers of all ages.

Loved the movie, blu ray looked great. My only complaint is there is no support for 5.1 audio, only 2.1 but from what I have learned, this movie was never released in any format with 5.1. Honestly, it was not that big of a deal.