Author: Keith Aiken Source: Walt Disney Studios, Click Communications Special Thanks to George Roush In recent years, Walt Disney Studios has been releasing their library of films from the acclaimed Japanese animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli on Blu-ray in North America. November 2014 saw a trio of titles from the legendary Hayao Miyazaki -- KIKI`S DELIVERY SERVICE, PRINCESS MONONOKE and THE WIND RISES -- while this week brings more films from three different Ghibli directors.
The highlight of the latest wave of Blu-ray Combo Packs is Mayazaki`s PORCO ROSSO (???, Kurenai no Buta, 1992). At turns tragic and hilarious, the story of a WWI pilot cursed to look like a pig has become a favorite among Miyazaki`s works. The new Blu-ray presents the 1.85:1 film in 1080p, boasting gorgeous colors and picture quality. Audio options include the original Japanese and Disney`s English language tracks, both in 2.0 DTS HDMA, and a 2.0 Dolby Digital French. In a nice touch, the Blu-ray offers English subtitles for the Japanese track plus English SDH subtitles that match the US dubbing. Bonus features include the entire film in storyboard form, a featurette on the US dub cast and crew, Japanese trailers for the film, and a short interview with producer Toshio Suzuki. The set also comes with a DVD edition (identical to the 2005 Disney release). POM POKO (???????? ?????????, Heisei Tanuki Gassen Pompoko, 1994) was directed by Studio Ghibli co-founder, Isao Takahata (GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES, THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA), and tells the story of a clan of shape-shifting tanuki (Japanese raccoon dogs) trying to save their country home from the encroachment of civilization. As with PORCO ROSO, the POM POKO Blu-ray presents the 1.85:1 film in 1080p, with the original Japanese and Disney`s English language tracks, both in 2.0 DTS HDMA, and a 2.0 Dolby Digital French. The English subtitles translate the Japanese audio while the English SDH fits the US dub, which refers to the tanukis` magical genitalia as much more PC "racoon pouches". Bonus features include storyboards for the entire film and Japanese trailers. Directed by Hayao`s son, Goro Miyazaki, TALES FROM EARTHSEA (????, Gedo Senki, 2006) is an unfortunately uneven effort. Based on the Earthsea novels by Ursula K. Le Guin, the film is one of the weaker entries in the Studio Ghibli library. Goro would be much more effective with his sophomore effort, FROM UP ON POPPY HILL (???????, Kokuriko-Zaka Kara, 2011). As the newest film of the three Studio Ghibli titles TALES FROM EARTHSEA features 6.1 DTS HDMA Japanese, 5.1 DTS-HDMA English and 5.1 Dolby Digital French audio tracks, with English subtitles plus English SDH for the US dub. The 1080p transfer of the 1.85:1 film is terrific, with sharp colors. Extras include a storyboard version of the entire film, Japanese trailers and TV spots, a short featurette on the development of TALES FROM EARTHSEA, and an hour-long documentary on Tamiya Terashima`s soundtrack for the film. PORCO ROSSO, POM POKO and TALES FROM EARTHSEA will be available February 3rd, and are all worthy additions to the Studio Ghibli Blu-ray collection.
For more information on these Studio Ghibli Blu-ray Combo Packs, please see the earlier coverage here on SciFi Japan: