8 | / 10 |
Users | 5.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
During the beginning years of the Great Depression, life in the Mediterranean has become difficult. Aerial pirate raids are gaining in frequency, thus requiring the need for capable "bodyguards". One of the best is a pig known as Porco Rosso. Once a human and an ace pilot during World War I, he now freelances his services to those in distress. The fascist regime that has taken over the Italian Air Force has grown tiresome of his exploits and places a bounty on his head. On top of that, a hotshot flyer from the United States arrives and not only wants to steal Porco Rosso's glory, but also the woman he loves so dearly.
Starring: Shûichirô Moriyama, Tokiko Katô, Bunshi Katsura Vi, Tsunehiko Kamijô, Akio ÔtsukaForeign | 100% |
Anime | 82% |
Fantasy | 41% |
Family | 33% |
Adventure | 26% |
Romance | 16% |
History | 3% |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Action | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Japanese: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French: Dolby Digital 2.0
English, English SDH, French
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Slipcover in original pressing
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
With Disney's latest trio of Studio Ghibli titles hitting shelves, only four feature films remain unreleased: Isao Takahata's Only Yesterday (1991) and My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999), Hayao Miyazaki's Oscar-winning Spirited Away (2001), and Hiroyuki Morita's The Cat Returns (2002). And while three of the four are among Ghibli's more obscure projects, it wouldn't be naïve to expect title announcements for each within the next year. In addition to Disney, Cinedigm and, most recently, Universal, have ensured the full Ghibli canon will soon be available on Blu-ray, and in light of rumors that the studio will be shuttering its doors, that's some much-needed good news. But that's the uncertain future. The present, strong and certain, lies with Pom Poko (1994), Takahata's deliriously bizarre, strangely endearing fable of shape-shifting raccoon dogs who declare war on their industrious human neighbors; Tales from Earthsea (2006), a resplendent but fatally flawed fantasy adaptation from Gorō Miyazaki; and Porco Rosso (1992), Hayao Miyazaki's adventurous, delightfully funny celebration of early aviation, starring a larger than life hero fighting to win the hand of the woman of his dreams.
Disney's 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation is utterly faithful to Porco Rosso's original animation, carefully rejuvenating the source elements without altering the filmic qualities that help set the adventure apart. Colors are largely naturalistic, but primaries pop with stunning vibrancy. The blues of the oceans and skies, the pronounced reds of Porco's plane, and the painterly hues of the Italian seaside villages are lovely, as are the transfer's contrast leveling and clarity. The film's line art is neatly defined, without anything in the way of aliasing or ringing, and the backgrounds offer brushstrokes and textures aplenty. A faint veneer of grain has also been preserved and, aside from a few specks, the print is in excellent condition. Significant scratches, nicks and other damage are nowhere to be found, and artifacting, banding and the like are MIA. The result? A near-perfect presentation I'm pleased to add to my collection.
Like Pom Poko and other Studio Ghibli films from the era, Porco Rosso doesn't feature any 5.1 surround options. What it does offer, though, is a pair of precision-crafted English and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo tracks. Dialogue is crystal clear and nicely grounded in the mixes, sound effects and music are integrated without issue or mishap, and the soundscape is quite effective. Would LFE and rear speaker support been assets? Absolutely, especially during the film's dog fights. But as faithful audio presentations go, there just isn't anything here that warrants grumbling.
Porco Rosso isn't among Miyazaki's most prodigious films, but it remains a true treat. Joyously animated, simply penned, and terrifically entertaining, it's a lighthearted adventure worth watching, and re-watching, and re-watching; enjoying all it has to offer without ever demanding a more epic scope or scale. Disney's Blu-ray release dazzles too, with a faithful remaster, a striking video encode, a solid pair of DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 tracks, and a decent selection of extras, including a presentation of the film's original storyboards. So after bounding from hill to hill with Pom Poko, be sure to take flight with Porco Rosso. Both are among Studio Ghibli's more obscure films, but they needn't be.
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