Pom
Poko +
Porco
Rosso
+ Tales
From Earthsea
(1992 - 2006/Disney/Studio Ghibli Blu-rays w/DVDs)
Overall
Picture: A-/B Sound: B/B- Extras: C Films: B
Studio
Ghibli is the Japanese animation studio responsible for such hits as
their first feature film Castle
in the Sky,
to their mega hit Spirited
Away.
Spirited
Away went
onto to gross over 270 million dollars and nabbed the 2003 Academy
Award for Best Animated Feature Film. With a mega hits under its
belt and an ever growing catalog of creative, popular films Disney
Studios took notice and joined forces with Studio Ghibli to bring
quality, high definition presentations of their feature films to the
masses. Under the heading of Disney
Presents a Studio Ghibli Film,
Disney home video has begun to release Blu-rays/DVDs such as Pom
Poko,
Porco Rosso,
and
Tales
from Earthsea that
are of the same high quality the studio has become synonymous with
from their own catalog.
Pom
Poko
(1994)
Picture:
A-/B Sound: B/B- Extras: C Film: B
The
film follows a group of 'raccoon-like' animals known as Tanuki.
These are creatures that in Japanese mythology are known for being
mischievous and having the uncanny ability to transform into
anything. Many may remember the use of Tanuki in the popular
Nintendo Super
Mario Bros series
when Mario himself adorns the Tanooki Mario suit, in which he can
transform into stone. Here in Pom
Poko acclaimed
director Isao Takahata brings audiences a world in which modern
society and the mystical, natural realms collide. For years the
world of the Tanuki has been threatened by the man; cutting down
their forests to build factories and homes. Having reached a boiling
point, no longer able to find food or shelter, the Tanuki join
together to fight back and reclaim their land. With possessing the
ability to transform, the Tanuki train to the point of being able to
appear as humans; often times in odd and funny ways. Their ultimate
goal is to scare off the advancement of mankind into their territory,
but is it too late? Will the Tanuki save their world or lose it all
together? Only time can tell.
Pom
Poko is
insanely imaginative, not only displaying beautiful animation but a
fully engrossing story. The tale of Pom
Poko is
certainly odd with the Tanuki having certain (ummm) anatomic
features, central to the plot, that may be taboo for Western
audiences; and even though I did not find it too distracting, it may
be hard to explain to the kids. Whereas the film may be a tad long
(119 minutes) and could stand a bit of editing, it pays off in the
end. What the film does well is it manages to get a message of
conservation across without being preachy, like many films often are,
and delivers a brilliant winding tale with ultimate and worthy
climax.
Extras:
Porco
Rosso
(1992)
Picture:
A-/B Sound: B/B- Extras: C Film: B+
Who
is Porco Rosso? The title character of the film, Porco Rosso (voiced
by Michael Keaton), is an ex World War I flying ace who has taken on
the task of bringing down 'air pirates.' Created by master animator
Hayao Miyazaki, Porco
Rosso blends
together comedy, beautiful art, and a classic/charismatic war tale.
Porco
Rosso appears as an anthropomorphic pig, having been cursed to that
form. Taking place around the Adriatic Sea (in the Italian
Peninsula) this high flying adventure takes a more 'realistic'
straight forward approach than other Studio Ghibli films. Sure there
is an anthropomorphic swine, but outside of that charming element
that plays on the saying 'when pigs fly,' then film at heart is a
post-WWI film with a linear storyline that leaves much of the fantasy
and whimsy of Studio Ghibli films behind, while retaining the same
quality.
After
taking down some air pirates the audience is introduced to a love
triangle between Porco Rosso, a girl named Gina, and fellow fighter
pilot Curtis. Gina pines for Porco Rosso, while Curtis (a young
American hotshot) strives to win Gina's affections. The pirates of
the Adriatic Sea are tired of Porco Rosso's peacekeeping ways and
hires the young Curtis to take down the big pig; which is a double
win for Curtis. In an effort to better fight the pirates, Porco
Rosso flies to Milan to up the capabilities of his plane;
unfortunately Curtis is hot on his tail and shoots him down.
Fortunately Porco Rosso survives to carry on to Milan to meet up with
his mechanic friend, Mr. Piccolo.
The
story of Porco
Rosso is
a fast paced, twisting tale that feels all so real. The air battles
are mesmerizing and coupled with a stellar voice cast (Keaton, Elwes,
Garrett, etc.), great story, and touch of history the film stands on
its own as an often forgotten Studio Ghibli gem.
Extras:
Behind
the Microphone
Original
Japanese Storyboards
Original
Japanese Trailers
Interview
with Toshio Suzuki
Tales
from Earthsea
(2006)
Picture:
A-/B Sound: B/B- Extras: C Film: B-
Talent
must run in the family as director Gorro Miyazaki (son of Hayao
Miyazaki) creates a captivating and memorable tale with Tales
from Earthsea.
The newest film of the bunch reviewed here (debuting in 2006) is an
adaptation of a series of fantasy novels by Ursula K. Le Guin; chock
full of wizards, dragons, magic, and everything in between.
Lord
Archmage Sparrowhawk is the main character and wizard in this tale as
he sets out to make his world whole again. Dragons have become a
destructive nuisances, farms have become barren and unproductive, and
the utopia this wizard has once known is all but gone. As he sets
out on his journey Sparrowhawk meets a special young man named Arren.
Arren is a prince who has abandoned his kingdom after killing his
father. Since killing his father Arren has been trailed by a
shadow-like creature; making him no ordinary prince. Joining forces
Arren and Sparrowhawk are on a quest to find the powerful witch
Tenar; Tenar who is accompanied by her young, female, apprentice
Therru. Together the four join together to right the wrongs of the
world. Unfortunately and unbeknownst to the crew, an evil villain
named Lord Cobb is out to cut their adventure short; seeking to kill
both Sparrowhawk and Arren. In doing this he hopes to gain the power
of eternal life. What ensues is a battle between good and evil, not
all too different than the basic framework of The
Lord of the Rings as
Tales
from Earthsea
is full of action, adventure, fantasy, and mystical creatures.
Whereas
the world of Earthsea
is
beautiful and firmly rooted in fantasy, my main gripe is not with the
world or side creatures, but the main characters themselves.
Overall, Sparrowhawk, Arren, Tenar, and Therru are quite formulaic
and bland; being a collective of predictable, fantasy archetypes
without much depth. Studio Ghibli is known for its ability to flesh
out characters (even too much at times) and create a backstory that
gives each character relatable, if not intriguing depth. That is
lost here in Tales
of Earthsea as
each character is the good guy or bad guy without much explanation of
their motives or mentality.
The artistic vision,
peripheral characters and backgrounds are (again) mesmerizing, but
overall I expected more. Combined with a brilliant soundtrack I
still thoroughly enjoyed the film. By no means a bad film, just not
Ghibli's best.
Extras:
Original
Japanese Storyboards
Original
Japanese TV Spots and Trailers
The
Birth Story of the Film Soundtrack
Behind
the Studio: Origins of Earthsea
All
three films display wonderfully and certainly received 'the Disney
treatment' for these new Blu-ray releases. The picture for each film
is a 1.85 x 1, 1080p, AVC Encoded, MPEG-4 high definition remaster
that boasts of insanely sharp, crisp, clean, and clear imagery.
There are no light, dark issues to speak of and for some of these
films being nearly 20 years old, it appears as if they were made
yesterday. Whereas there is no debris, dirt, or grime in the image
there are occasions in all three films where little white specs can
be seen, but a minor gripe certainly. Most impressive may be the
backdrops for each scene, as they are hand drawn/painted giving the
films a beautifully life like quality. The sound on all 3 films is a
2.0 DTS-HD (MA) Master Audio lossless Stereo track that is overall
good and gets the job done; though a 5.1 mix would have been better
in all cases. The audio track on all three films remains somewhat
subdued throughout, with the dialogue at times being soft (though
clear), especially when Tanuki are singing. The audio is properly
prioritized and balanced; dialogue and action being strong in even
chaotic sequences.
The
DVDs included are a nice supplement, but are clear downgrades of the
Blu-ray.
Extras
are as stated above in each individual film review.
Overall
Impression:
The
joint venture of Disney with Ghibli Studios is amazing. Finally
audiences are delivered these classic Japanese films in beautiful
Blu-ray, looking and sounding better than they have ever before on
home video. The arrival of these Blu-rays will give a new generation
(and those who missed them the first time around) the chance to enjoy
and appreciate these animated classics.
-
Michael P. Dougherty II
