User Reviews

The heavy descent of a flightless nostalgia: A 1.0-star "trauma" of disconnected romanticism.2012 (1.0)I watched "Porco Rosso" in 2012, and it was another exhausting encounter with a 1.0-star "trauma" that left me completely alienated. While Studio Ghibli films are often hailed as masterpieces of imagination, this particular story of a cursed pig pilot felt like a series of beautiful but hollow images that failed to provide any "chewy" narrative satisfaction. The "silence" in this film didn't feel like artistic restraint; it felt like a stagnant void where my interest simply withered away. I struggled to find any visceral connection to the protagonist's stoic romanticism, and the sensational charm others claim to see felt entirely absent to me. The 95% preservation of my memory from that viewing is dominated by a sense of "silent frustration" as I waited for a rhythmic spark that never arrived. It lacked the raw, **** energy I admire in cinema, instead drifting aimlessly through a sky of unearned sentimentality. For me, the experience was a jarring misalignment of taste—a narrative flight that never quite took off, leaving me grounded in a state of utter boredom and disappointment. It remains a stark example of how even a legendary director's vision can result in a deeply uninspiring and forgettable ordeal when the emotional core feels so distant and cold.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

One of the strongest elements of this movie, which often seems to be overlooked, is its excellent representation of it's historical setting. The small subtleties and more in your face representation of early fascist Italy are a real charm for those with some general knowledge and understanding of the time period. All of this supports a story that’s as polarizing as it gets. The narrative, world building and character dynamics are incredibly well thought out. Unfortunately, the film is often left out of the conversation about the best Studio Ghibli movies, largely due to the dynamic between several of the adult male characters and the 17-year-old Fio. Although this could very well be an accurate representation of the time and place (Italy, 1930), it non the less leaves you with a lingering, uncomfortable feeling and bitter taste in your mouth. Fio is such a strong, well-written character that—had her interactions with Porco (who, to be fair, does seem to try to shut down the questionable dynamic) and the pirates not been so unsettling, predatory, and uncomfortable—she could have left an even stronger and more lasting impression. Porco— or rather, Marco’s—curse serves as both surface-level social commentary and a more personal, philosophical exploration. He appears to revert to human form only when acting not out of selfishness, but out of genuine care for others—in other words, in the rare moments when he doesn’t see himself as a pig, when he briefly lets go of the (arguably undeserved) guilt he carries.

This movie has some VERY strange dialogue between adult male characters and an underage girl. The plot itself is okay, but it doesn't really stand out in any way as a Ghibli film.

An excellent film, this is one of Miyazaki's best. It's such a fun story with such fun characters. I love the ending for this movie!

A largely overlooked entry in the Hayao Miyazaki catalog, Porco Rosso concerns a wartime fighter pilot (turned bounty hunter) who's been cursed with the face and body of a pig. I'd skipped this one for years because the director deemed it "foolish" and, to be honest, it just didn't look all that interesting. You'd think I would know better. As with all prime Studio Ghibli entries, it brims and bustles with life, gladly bearing a joyful appreciation for the small things and an admiration for those who seek adventure. Air force captains, sky pirates, lounge owners, engineers... each pursue excitement in their own characteristic ways, which often overlap unexpectedly. Rosso himself is a tough nut to crack, only vaguely alluding to the curse that transformed his appearance and maintaining an emotional distance for much of the story. In some ways, that's refreshing - one might expect the search for a cure to dominate the plot, when that's far from the case - but it also makes him a tricky, and often underwhelming, lead character. His unwanted, self-appointed sidekick, a spunky young designer named Fio, better fits the mold of a classic Ghibli protagonist. Miyazaki and company also take special care to hammer out unique identities for each airship in the story, though these do generally take a back seat to their colorful pilots. The director's lifelong ties to avionics (his father was an aeronautical engineer) and his deep-rooted understanding of their natural, graceful motion are almost as clearly evident here as they would be twenty years later, in the more personal The Wind Rises. Vibrant and energetic, stimulating and surprising, Porco Rosso has everything one might expect from the famed Japanese animation house. Perhaps a half-step below their very best, largely due to the reticent lead and an abrupt climax, but still an excellent selection for all ages to share and enjoy.

Très bon film de Hayao Miyazaki, j'aime beaucoup. Il fait réflechir sur la société, le regard des autres, l'amour et la vie en général.

Not Ghibli's best movie, but great nonetheless. The animation is beautiful, the characters are well-written, it has good themes, and the story is overall pretty good; the third act just doesn't tie it up in a way that feels quite dramatic or satisfying enough. Overall, great with some flaws. 8.1/10

So Studio Ghibli can make really fun movies aswell. Unusual movie for them, but it turned out really well.

Not much at all going on here. Mostly a waste of time. Great animation as usual but there is almost no plot at all. Very boring. If this was Miyazaki's only film, no one would bother mentioning him.

One of the greatest Miyazaki productions. The visuals are gorgeous, the universe / story are original and well construct and the characters are profounds and enigmatics. I literally was in Mediterranean sea living the story with them.

Mature storytelling masterclass with geniuely authentic characters, Studio Ghibli once again serves perfect mix of fairytale set in harsh reality with the darkest tone yet!

Heart warming and fun. I love the visuals, and most definitely the soundtracks. A unique main character though nevertheless lovable. Miyazaki never fails to make us fall in love with his movies.

Мультфильм приятно смотреть, так как он интересный и красивый

Higher than the sun, that is flies the ace of airliners of Studio Ghibli. The story blends witty comedy, romance and action, and thrilling dogfights. A must have for every Studio Ghibli fanboy.

This is one of my favorite Miyazaki films, and easily one of his most underrated. Porco Rosso is the story of one man seeking redemption. While it maintains Miyazaki's beautiful art style, anti-war themes, and strong female characters, Porco Rosso centers on a middle-aged bounty-hunter protagonist who smokes, drinks, flirts, and flies his way through Fascist Italy in the 1930s. Charming, poignant, funny, devastating, whimsical, and melancholy, Porco Rosso has something for everyone, and isn't afraid to take risks. You don't have to be a fan of anime to enjoy the works of Hayao Miyazaki, and this is one of his finest human dramas. Apart from the curse that turned our hero into a pig, all elements of fantasy that Miyazaki is known for are absent, and the world that this takes place in is very much our own.