Hayao Miyazaki - Ranking His Movies From Worst To Best

4. Porco Rosso

While sticking with the theme of flight and the adventurous free spirit, Porco Rosso is also more grounded than many of Miyazaki's movies - except, of course, for the fact that the central character is a pig. Miyazaki has always demonstrated a fondness for European influences, not least in the architectural landscapes of Castle of Cagliostro, and for Porco Rosso he opted to set it in Italy in the early 20th century. Miyazaki's real talent as an artist it to make the locations he bases on the real world every bit as beautiful as his fantasy realms, and the glittering oceans and stucco abodes of the Mediterranean are gloriously realised throughout Porco Rosso. The titular character is a former World War 1 fighter pilot-turned bounty hunter, who finds himself embroiled in a feud with a group of pirates. Miyazaki delivers less action than in some of his more epic productions, and the end result is something more personal and intimate. A mild political undercurrent runs through it, not least on account of the fact that the movie occurs during the time of the rise of fascism in Italy, but the real focus in Porco Rosso is on the aviation - the flight sequences are beautifully animated affairs, the camera every bit as graceful as the swooping planes depicted.