Porco Rosso (Kurenai no buta)

Critics Consensus

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95%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 19

87%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 45,339

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Movie Info

Master animator Hayao Miyazaki directs this tale about a former World War I flying ace who is also a pig. Slouching toward middle age, Porco Rosso makes his living by flying about in his bright red bi-plane and fighting sky bandits who prey on cruise ships sailing the Adriatic. When he's not engaging in dogfights, this porcine pilot lives on a deserted island retreat. Porco Rosso was once a strapping young man, but after his entire squadron was wiped out, he was mysteriously transformed into a pig. Rosso is defeated in a dogfight against a dashing American rival, who has been hired by the dastardly bandits. With his plane damaged, he finds a repair hangar near Milan run by an aging mechanic named Piccolo, and his spunky granddaughter Fio. Initially skeptical of her mechanical prowess, Rosso is amazed when she and a legion of local women fix his plane. Soon, Porco Rosso is ready to battle his rival. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

Cast

Michael Keaton
as Porco Rosso [English version]
Cary Elwes
as Donald Curtis [English version]
Kimberly Williams-Paisley
as Fio [English version]
Susan Egan
as Gina [English version]

Critic Reviews for Porco Rosso (Kurenai no buta)

All Critics (19) | Top Critics (1)

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Audience Reviews for Porco Rosso (Kurenai no buta)

  • Nov 26, 2013
    Miyazaki indulges himself in his passion for seaplanes with this very enjoyable project of most personal interest, an always entertaining film that benefits from a beautiful soundtrack, a spot-on sense of humor and, even better, a lot of heart.
    Carlos M Super Reviewer
  • Jul 19, 2013
    Miyazaki's loving tribute to early aviation. The story is more male-oriented, straightforward, and based in reality (set between the two World Wars) than some of his other works, but still retains that vintage Miyazaki magical feel that we all know and love. The title anthropomorphic pig (who ladies strangely fawn over) and his sidekick, a young mechanic girl named Fio, make for a greatly fun duo and play off each other nicely. Miyazaki really demonstrates his love for planes and there is a breathtaking fantasy sequence involving a fleet of planes flying above the clouds that alone makes the film worth a one-time viewing. It's not as profound as some of his other works like 'Spirited Away' but it still works wonderfully as a nice undemanding action/adventure, although it is admittedly far from his best work. The first hour of the film was excellent but the climax was pretty weak (sinfully teasing at an epic airplane fleet battle that never takes place) and the closing epilogue narration felt extremely rushed (also contains a gimmicky "The end?" line that you'd think Miyazaki would be above at doing). Despite a weak ending, 'Porco Rosso' remains a quality effort from the master himself.
    Christopher H Super Reviewer
  • Sep 09, 2012
    1 of the best Studio Ghibli movies and one of the most unseen as well. Porco Rosso has every genre in film making rolled into 1 in this. Amazing flight sequences, funny humor, fast paced action, romance, and as always with Miyazaki movies, a heart filled moral. A most see.
    Vincent T Super Reviewer
  • Jul 13, 2012
    In spite of having poor characterizations and some bad lines, Porco Rosso is a fun, often humorous, well scored, and exciting film.
    Bram S Super Reviewer
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