Porco Rosso (1992)

Porco Rosso is a warm, wistful adventure set in 1930s Italy about a former World War I ace who now lives as a freelance pilot — and who, by a mysterious twist of fate, looks like an anthropomorphic pig. Striking out on his own from a world that’s grown more dangerous and petty, he earns a living rescuing people from air pirates and taking on odd jobs while sparring with colorful rivals and old friends. Watching the film you’ll get swept up in graceful, hand-drawn aerial sequences and nimble dogfights over sun-drenched Mediterranean waters. The movie blends light, witty comedy (especially in the banter between the pig-faced hero and his suave rival, Donald Curtis) with quieter, more reflective moments: memories of war, questions of honor and identity, and a tender, slow-burning romance with a long-time friend. The visuals are lush and atmospheric; the music is jaunty and nostalgic, lifting action scenes and underscoring the film’s melancholy sweetness. Expect an experience that is at once playful and poignant. You’ll laugh at the roguish charm and absurd situations, thrill at the inventive flying stunts, and come away moved by the film’s humane themes about pride, loneliness, and the scars left by conflict. It’s an adventurous, character-driven tale that feels like a sunlit dream of the skies — adventurous fun with a quietly mature heart.

Actors: Shûichirô Moriyama, Tokiko Katô, Bunshi Katsura Vi

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

Runtime: 94 min

Genres: Adventure, Animation, Comedy

7.4 /10 83 /100 7.7 /10 7.8 /10