Porco Rosso (1992) Dir: Hayao Miyazaki
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No studio holds as special a place in my heart as Studio Ghibli - I have no doubt I'm not alone in that sentiment. Like many, I grew up on their imaginative and beautiful animated adventures, and, like many, I have harboured a lifelong adoration of them as a result. One that doesn't get so much acclaim is this 1992 film, of course, directed by the great Hayao Miyazaki.
I think it flies under the radar, if you'll excuse the wordplay, because it isn't as grandeous as some of the more beloved films from the studio, but it has some wonderful qualities to it which deserve plenty of love.
At its heart, it's a film about the consequences of war, though, mostly on a more personal, emotional, level. There are some of Miyazaki's most prominent and persistent themes, such as grief, anti-fascism, anti-war and love, which carry a strong emotional current though the story.
The story is so wonderfully portrayed, and, of course, is animated beautifully. I don't think it cuts as deep as some of Ghibli's other films, but I don't mind that. It feels light and good-hearted throughout, and while it does feature heavier themes, it does so with a delicate, tender hand. I think that's part of why I appreciate it so much.
With most anime and world cinema, I will watch whatever media it is with subtitles, but with Ghibli, I will admit that I watch their films with dubbed audio. The English language casts are usually so good, it feels more than worth it.
Michael Keaton voices the film's porky protagonist, in what amounts to be a pretty underrated performance, in my opinion. He some really amusing pieces of dialogue, which he nails, and the way he brings personality to his character is very entertaining.
Kimberley Williams-Paisley lends her energetic voice to a very upbeat and endearing character, whose positivity and brightness is infectious and joyful. I really like how she and her character impact the film, and their growth, alongside the film's main character, is so wholesome.
I completely forgot that it was Cary Elwes who voiced the film's antagonist. He delivers and a very enjoyable and silly vocal performance, which always makes me laugh. His charisma shines through, and he really embodies his character's persona.
Susan Egan provides some soft and sultry dialogue delivery, which fits her character absolutely perfectly, while the duo of David Ogden Stiers and Brad Garrett also lend their voices to some of the film's more entertaining and lovable characters.
Overall, I think this is one of Ghibli's more under-appreciated gems, and it's one that a lot more people should watch. It has a lot of heart to it, and it's got some stunning pieces of animation to back it up. It also knows what it stands for too, which helps a lot - I too would rather be a pig than a fascist.
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