Reviews by:
@the_owlseyes
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Sometimes death is better than life. A sacrifice could mean more than a life of hardship. I think that every war veteran endures it, in a way or another. It's like a lack of purpose and you're not even sustained by the state, the same one who sent you on the field to fight battles in war not generated by you but by your government's inability to be in peace with others. Maybe you can come back in one piece, maybe you had lost a piece of your body to save your life,...the scars will always be there. The reintegration into society isn't easy as movies want us to believe: you feel estranged and unable to connect with the people who once made you feel great. You'll try to stand up and find a path, something which could help you reemerge from the horrors you're still reliving every single day. Some of you will become criminals, because you'll see it as the only way to earn money and satisfy your need of action, others will decide to put an end to their misery and just a lucky few, the one who've a family and are willing to go through a psychologic journey of self rediscovering, are going to be happy again. There's always light if you're willing to believe in it.
PLOT
"In 1930s Italy, a veteran World War I pilot is cursed to look like an anthropomorphic pig" or "The curse of being alive after a global war".
SCRIPT
It's simple and most of it is left out, only teased, like the backstory of Porco's curse and the war which came before. Nonetheless the characters are well managed, especially Porco and Fio. The second has an interesting arch of self empowerement because she, as a woman, is the first to fly in a plane and is the person with a lighter moral between the bounty hunter and the pirates. I don't like the fact that everyone wants to bang her because she's a minor and it's weird and cringy. I like the relationship between Porco and his lover, which is a representation of Platonic love, counteropposed to the sexual and self absorbed love of Curtis. The movie's themes aren't clear at first but thse emerge gradually through Porco's words and visual memories. These are about the hardship which will endure a vet after a war, his inability to reintegrate himself in the world, the PTSD connected to his death comrades and loyalty. Heavy themes which are elegantly introduced without feeling rough or hard. This is maybe the only Myazaki's movie which doesn't resolve the protagonist struggle and leave the ending open for interpretations. I think that this is why this animated movie is an undervalued gem in Myazaki's collection, because it defys his studios tropes.
Script: 8/10
ACTING
Nothing special about it. The voice actors fit their characters but they don't add anything remarkable to them. Apart from some who are able to convey an italian-ish accent, which is a nice touch for a japanese movie set in Italy.
Acting: 6/10
PHOTOGRAPHY
Visuals are a strength of this movie. Evocative places, inspired by real places set on the Adriatic sea, are front and center. These are masterfully drawned and it's extremely pleasing. Colours are bright and multifarious, lighting up every scene, even the saddest ones. I like how the lack of it is used to envision a certain concept which is relevant for Porco and the movie. I like how Porco's aircraft distinguishes itself from the others, with different colours and a different design. Maybe it isn't the best I've ever seen but it surely is good.
Photography: 7/10
EDITING
I don't find it amazing or remarkable, even though it's pretty simple and it doesn't use particular shooting techniques. The last point is what makes the movie a soft cult, because it's anchored to the past, even though it isn't an old movie.
Editing: 6/10
SPECIAL EFFECTS
The animation has the usual quality and charm. Sometimes it's a bit clunky but it's more natural and lively than other animated movies which use cgi. I like the attention which was put in the details of aircrafts, sets and instruments. I think that it still olds up after almost 30 years and it's reminescent of the old days when everything was hand drawn.
Special Effects: 8/10
SOUNDTRACK
As always Miyazaki uses a sweet and tender music to score his movie. The soundtrack is extremely quiet and you'll feel stillness throughout all the movie, even in action scenes, which are downplayed by peaceful and blithe tunes. The first and the last track are what make this movie special because these set the tone of the motion picture and in the end give closure to the characters. It's great but it sin't memorable.
Soundtrack: 8/10
COSTUMES
The clothes are faithful to the time period and the character purpose and quirks. I didn't find them paerticularly exceptional but it's remarkable the amount of research which Miyazaki put in it.
Costumes: 6/10
CONCLUSION
Script: 8/10
Acting: 6/10
Photography: 7/10
Editing: 6/10
Special Effects: 8/10
Soundtrack: 8/10
Costumes: 6/10
AVERAGE: 7
A competent movie which adresses mature themes and explore interesting characters with elegance and sweetness and defy the director's tropes. A must see for everyone who is interested in japanese animation and is used to Ghibli Studios style and a recommended movie for every person who want to have a nice and quiet time with a beautiful movie.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Screenplay: Hayao Miyazaki
Cast: Shūichirō Moriyama, Tokiko Kato, Akemi Okamura, Akio Ōtsuka
Soundtrack: Joe Hisaishi
Cinematography: Atsushi Okui
Running Time: 94 minutes
Budget: $9.2 million
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