PORCO ROSSO
If it wasn't for the bafflingly abrupt ending, this might have been my favourite Miyazaki film of them all. Even though his more recent works may be more meaningful, I keep finding myself more attracted to his earlier, more light-hearted work. It helps that the setting (1920's Italy) is one I have a particular interest in (my dissertation partly revolved about it), but the endearing, sympathetic characters, the fanatical attention to detail, the wonderful Joe Hisashi score and a slight, but enticing storyline made this a joy to watch. It's not a complex film, it's not going to change your life, but like My Neighbour Totoro and The Castle of Cagliostro, it left me with a huge smile on my face. Brilliant.