Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Voice Cast: Michael Keaton, Cary Elwes, Kimberly Williams-Pasiley, Susan Egan, David Ogden Stiers and Brad Garrett
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: February 3, 2015
Retail: $36.99
ASIN: B00PYAE2GE
Running Time: 93 minutes
Rating: PG
Buy Link: Amazon
Review:
Arriving on Blu-ray/DVD combo pack on Tuesday February 3, 2015 is the 1992 Japanese animated film Porco Rosso. The film was directed by Hayao Miyazaki and features the American voice-cast of Michael Keaton, Cary Elwes, Kimberly Williams-Pasiley, Susan Egan, David Ogden Stiers and Brad Garrett. Bonus Features include Behind The Microphone, Original Japanese Storyboards, Original Japanese Trailers and an Interview With Toshio Suzuki.
Based on the a three-part watercolor manga, Hikōtei Jidai, by Hayao Miyazaki, Porco Rosso centers on an Italian World War I ex-fighter pilot named Marco. After a curse was cast upon him that made him look like an anthropomorphic pig, he became a bouny hunter and took the name Porco Rosso (Red Pig).
He is known to help strangers who are need and that is exactly what he does when a band of pirates known as the Mamma Aiuto gang attack a ferry liner. Porco (voiced by Michael Keaton) uses his unique flying skills to put a stop to the pirates, well, for the time being anyway. Before long, Porco heads off on a mission in Milan, but is shot down by the gang's leader, Donald Curtis (voiced by Cary Elwes).
Porco manages so survive and seeks help from a mechanic, Piccolo (voiced by David Ogden Stiers), and his granddaughter Fio (voiced by Kimberly Williams-Pasiley). Fio, along a few of her female friends, rebuilds Porco's plane. One his way home, he is once again attacked by the gang,so he challenges Curtis to a flying duel.
Though I have considered myself a cartoon-buff, I have only taken a liking to Japanese animation in the last few years. Out of the few movies I have seen, my favorite Japanese animation director is the now retired Hayao Miyazaki. The film received great reviews from critics. Sometimes dubbed American voices can feel out of place (well, out of character), but the dubbed voice cast for does a pretty good job here, especially Michael Keaton in the title role. Overall, Porco Rosso is an intelligent animated-adventure that I enjoyed watching. Hopefully, the proposed sequel, Porco Rosso: The Last Sortie, will eventually get made one day.
*Disclaimer - I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
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