Movies-TV

Add a c at the beginning and a p at the end of ham and you get Babe!

Yes, this movie is surreal, quirky, intense in parts and not for very small children. Yes, it is also hilarious, moving and teaches that right really can triumph over wrong in the end. After a series of misfortunes Babe finds himself alone in the big, cruel world - an unnamed fantasy city which has the combined attributes of many real life big cities. Here, Babe meets many well developed, memorable human and animal characters. Some of these characters are good, some are bad and most are somewhere in between. After a few difficulties our brave and good Babe soon becomes leader of this motley crew of city animals and ultimately leads them to safety on Hoggett's farm. There are laugh out loud funny scenes in this film as well as those that will lead you to the brink of tears. I would have cut some of the slapstick scenes near the end of Mrs. Hoggett racing around in a clown costume since that portion seemed to go on forever and detracted from the overall mood of the movie. All in all though this unusual film is pure quality and is very suitable for the upper elementary/middle school age group as well as teenagers and adults.

Not Many Movies Have Done That To Me...

I was having what could be considered as the worst weekend of my life. I won't go into detail about it, but it was bad. As a lover of films I decided to try and turn to my local video store for support. I think renting Babe: A Pig In The City was the best movie I could have rented. When I was in the process of watching this film all my problems and troubles seemed to vanish in the air. This movie is simply brilliant I loved it so much I watched it twice more. The film had some amazing parts that made my jaw drop. Take for example the chase scene the flashes of Babe's life that we see and the simple question of "Why?" are strokes of genius. Among other amazing scenes, which I won't spoil. I was enthralled from the first second of this movie all the way till the end. I'm 16 years old and I'm going to tell all of my friends to see this movie, if they decide to brush it off as a silly kid's movie they are seriously mistaken.

great film

"Babe: Pig in the City" was an excellent film. It has been noted that it's quite a bit darker than its predecessor; it's also the better film. Those who dislike it on the basis of it's dark side miss the point. They claim that kids will hate it. Unfortunately for them, they forget that films like these (that includes animation) need not be directed at kids. The market has been so saturated by Disney films that exist in large part to earn profits through marketing tie-ins that people forget that these films may be designed more for adult audiences or even (gasp!) artistic purposes. As it is, this film is certainly more artistic and interesting visually than the original.

Amazing, albeit dark, clever film

I like to punish myself by reading through user reviews for films that I like and this time around I've actually been driven to respond myself. Many people who don't like this film say "oh, gee, this one had a huge budget and look what happened..." or "where's the magic of the original?" or "this film was just so dark that I found it depressing." Bla bla bla. The real depressing aspect is that these comments are far off from reality. Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinions, but sometimes closed minded opinions are irritating. First off, lots of people say, "oh gee, this was a kids movie, how dark!" Personally, when I watch a movie I like to view it as a movie, and not under any particular genre. Granted it was dark, but it had plenty of good intentions that really aren't hard to catch. Babe is still Babe, and although mishaps happen, and are scary, that's what they're supposed to be. The important part of the plot is that Babe holds on to his innocent nature despite the things that go on. Viewers are put off by animal characters in the film describing their encounters with humans ("my human put me in a sack and threw me in the river..." etc. etc.) but if animals could talk, what else would they say. I'm drawn to look back on the sales of dalmation puppies after 101 Dalmations came out, puppies that were sent back to the pound or abandoned after families realized they required lots of responsibility.And then people complain about the continuity...what about it? They say that Babe goes through one conflict after another. Well, when I break down my day of rumbling through the city, things are so hectic that I can only imagine what would happen to an animal if it were on its own. There are so many different aspects to city life that in order to recreate it, you almost HAVE to have it layered in plot and conflict. The place has to seem foreign to Babe, because Babe is a "tourist" he is unable to fit in immediately. This is a different world, and other animals have adjusted differently. Hard times for a society that doesn't exactly pursue animal rights.More over, just reading the first 20 comments on the movie, someone said the absolutely MORONIC line, "Why would she even take the pig??" Did this person even watch the movie? My god, the answer is right there in the first 10 min! That's the whole reason they're IN the city! Then somebody else said, "These are animals played for laughs (oh, look at the monkey getting dressed!)" GOD NO! These are animals that might seem funny from mannerisms, the Orangutan getting dressed is almost heartbreaking if you understand his reasons. Christ on a crutch, the people who found the movie depressing are closer to the truth while the other complaints are just irritating.This movie is very clever, smart, portraying real human emotion under the curtain of animal characters. What would animals say if they could talk. Probably what they said in this movie. Thank god Babe is there to offer some hope!

Gothic horror meets the barnyard

I honestly do not know how to rate this movie. As a gothic horror kind-of post-apocalyptic fable, it was quite good. However, as a sequel to Babe, this movie left me bewildered and a little shocked.

First the good points. The effects are brilliant (i.e. the talking animals) and the sets are interesting. The use of animals to represent clans or tribes or races and the conflict between them is not new, but is raised to a higher form here than in the standard black-and-white Disney version, which is appreciated by me as an adult. The mood is consistent, the characters are true to themselves, and you are drawn in to the story. Visually (the cinematography) it's very interesting.

But..... While I applaud the effort of filmmakers to try new things with sequels, this one goes too far. This is not a children's movie. It is genuinely scary, dark, and gothic. It's irresponsible to use Babe's name to sell this picture to an audience thinking it will be another delightful children's romp. It is even jarring to an adult to be caught off-balance in this way. Additionally, while visually appealing, the story is pretty standard, and does degenerate into silliness towards the end.

So, while I think this is an okay movie, I don't have any particular desire to see it again. And please be careful if showing it to children.

One of the best of all time

I don't comment on too many movies, but this one seriously deserves my time, especially after reading so many irresponsibly naive fit-sessions. First, this movie is better than both its own predecessor and nearly all other "family" movies before it. It clearly belongs in the realm of "Snow White" and "The Neverending Story" for its imagination, attention to detail, and moral balance, not to mention (along with "Babe I") some of the most intelligent reinterpretations of the purpose of special effects in cinema history. Add to that one of the best scripts, camera work, and directing jobs of the 90s, "Babe: Pig in the City" is for these reasons and so many others not mentioned here one of the best MOVIES of all time.Furthermore, in addition to an unconditional recommendation for this movie to anyone, I would like to recommend to all those whose 4-year-old or 40-year-old can't handle themes of death, peril, and Expressionistic lighting to stay on the farm where the sun shines every day and where humans are never, ever represented unfavorably because maybe there you can more easily continue convincing yourselves and your children over a wholesome breakfast of bacon and eggs that pigs and ducks and people never hurt and never die and that "Babe: Pig in the City" is "unsuitable" and "disappointing." Save your money instead for a rainy day, like the next Jesse Helms fund-raiser.

Give this film a chance.

If you believe in fun, imagination, risk, and love, check out this film.If you consider yourself a film lover, seek out this film and enjoy its unique blend of sooooo many good things.Just like any great piece of cinema, it mixes all emotions into a magical treat that will wow you (at least once!).Fantastic and exceptional, risky and boisterous, Babe: Pig in the City will make you a believer.Thank you, George and Company!

My favorite George Miller film so far that I have seen

The first BABE movie was a nice pig movie and HAPPY FEET got good reviews as well.And I like both of them.It's just that they didn't have that good and funny feel to them. to me they were just so-so. This movie on the other hand did. It was funny adventurous and it had a very good feel to it really did.I definitely liked it more than the other George Miller film's that I have seen.Not a lot more though I of course much preferred the STAR WARS movies and CHICKEN RUN for one reason they are a little more adventurous and funny.Though I am still wondering that if I ever got a chance to watch the MAD MAX movies or THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK and LORENZO'S OIL or TWILIGHT ZONE THE MOVIE that I would like them more than this.Oh well maybe I will watch them and find out someday.

Thank the pig... for a marvelous sequel.

My Take: Darker yet just as enjoyable than the first BABE.After the success of the original BABE (both financially and, well we all know how much it attracted the Oscars), Universal and the film's producers probably realized "Hey! The people want more!" And like any sequel, BABE: PIG IN THE CITY was heralded by all BABE fans, and those who liked the original (and I doubt who didn't), and inevitably exited with a big disappointment. While BABE was both dark and light, BABE 2 is much, much darker, in fact more menacing than any film I have ever seen in a G-rated "family" picture. But what sounds like a disappointment to some, can be a pleasure to others. And I accepted BABE 2's change of pace as a welcome difference. With this, they didn't just make a sequel to a great film, they made another film, a different film, overall.Filling in the shoes of the original director Chris Noonan, the new director George Miller (also the co-writer/producer of this and the original film) ventures deeper and darker world which we presumably caught a glimpse of from the original BABE. In the original, Babe the "Sheep-pig" is accepted by his owner, an earnest Arthur Hoggett (the great James Cromwell, surprisingly underused in this sequel), as a pig who can tend sheep, meaning he's more valuable than a holiday feast. But there's less glee here than there is a cloud of shadows. Just a few minutes after the jolly introduction, the film dives into depression. After an accident, farmer Hoggett is left wheelchair bound after falling into a well, not entirely Babe's (voiced by E.G. Daily) fault, if only he had been more careful. Anyway, without the farmer doing all the work in the farm, therefore unable to pay their debts, Mrs. Hoggett (Magda Szubanski) brings along Babe and moves to the big city, thinking she can make a little profit with her husband's little "Sheep-pig".And this is quite a city by the way! We're not just talking New York or San Fransisco, this is an original city. To create his city, Miller combines all famous landmarks around the world (e.g. The Statue of Liberty, The Sydney Opera House, The Golden Gate Bridge) and puts them all together in an impressive and imaginative special effect. But this city isn't the only thing imaginative about the picture, the characters are pretty elaborate too. The humans are less colorful, but for a talking animal movie, the animals here ARE the humans. They exhibit their own unique character. In a small, isolated motel accepting homeless animals, there's a family of chimps, which actually resemble a small human family by any account. These animals are once again a convincing alternation of animatronics, special effects and the real thing. The story, while it certainly has a share of its enlightening moments, is darker and more menacing than anything depressing about the original. The elderly sheep's death in the original (Hope I didn't spoil it to anyone reading this review!) is nothing compared to the much darker and depressing atmosphere here in this sequel. Yes folks! Animals do get hurt in this film (while maybe not physically real) and the story moves into a much darker territory than any of your kids fairy tales.BABE: PIG IN THE CITY didn't really make as much money as the original, nor did it spare a large number of raving parents (back after complaining for the man-eating dinosaurs in two JURASSIC PARK films) who deemed the film too dark for a G-rating. But set aside the parts that may frighten young kids, BABE: PIG IN THE CITY is a perfect family film. The story is strong and highly original. It's also the perfect holiday film. So set it up on your DVD and enjoy a highly original and highly underrated film. It probably deserves a place in both your DVD selections, and your heart.Rating: ***** out of 5.

Holy Crap!

I can't believe how bad this movie was. I was gald when it was over when I saw it in the theater for the first time. Worst sequel ever made. Creepy, boring, and just plain sad. Take my advice, don't ever see this freakin' movie!

fantastic

I liked this movie better than Babe because i thought that this one had the better humour than Babe. I saw this in Ireland and i absolutely loved this movie to bits. I give this movie 10 out of 10, if you like babe 1 and 2 then i am sure you will like Gordy. Another Pig adventure movie.

A remarkable, daring film!

Enough cannot be said about Babe: Pig in the City. I expected another film like Babe, a film that told its audience exactly how to feel, a film that tried to sell a way of thinking to the public, and our politically correct critics and family audiences ate it up. It was, to say the least, a minor acheivement. The sequel, however, trusts its audience enough to project a fantastic, surreal, yet utterly dark vision of the world, not coddling or reassuring its audiences. In the original, Babe's "kind heart" changed his world for the better, and his talents spared his life. In the sequel, everyone Babe meets on his journey (the DEA dog, an astonishingly expressive Mickey Rooney, the apes, the vicious dogs) is inexplicably evil. The horror here is not so much that these characters are selfish or unkind, but that they nearly destroy Babe's life and the future of the farm for no apparent reason. Much like Iago in Shakespeare's wicked tragedy Othello, these characters have little to gain in their acts of wrongdoing, save for a purely sadistic pleasure. Babe's kind heart is barely heard in this world (he only takes control of his destiny with the help of a bully dog). Babe almost becomes a dictator of sorts, enforcing his law on the animals, and the film's semi-ironic treatment of this scene is refreshing. Is Babe rubbing off on the city, or vice versa? Babe: Pig in the City is such an emotionally wrenching and depressing film, I felt like I was watching a PT Anderson film (see his debut: Hard Eight). If you want to get your mind blown, see Babe: PITC intoxicated.

Just don't do it. Just don't.

This is, undoubtedly, the worst film I have ever seen.I had seen the trailer and I admit I thought it looked a fairly amusing film. Plus I had seen the original Babe film and enjoyed it. So when my sister rented Babe: Pig In The City out, I thought I might as well give it a shot and I sat down to watch it.Unfortunately, it seems as though everything that happens in the film, every vaguely funny or amusing bit, it put into the trailer. See the trailer, you have seen the film. The film is simply the trailer padded out with a lot of boring nothing-scenes that always spoil films.Nothing happens. Nothing at all happens. Watching paint dry becomes a fascinating, enthralling task when compared to viewing Pig In The City. It's not even as if the reason I disliked it was because it is aimed at kids. My eight-year-old sister and twelve-year-old brother detested this film as I did.I would strongly advise you not to see this film. In fact, my opinion is that every copy of this film should carry a sticker warning of severe boredom. Just don't do it. Just don't.

This is not for kids!!!

My 3-year-old son loved the first "Babe" movie. We have watched it countless times. Even though I have read it was darker than the first, I thought it would be OK. Sadly, I was very wrong.

I will NOT let my son watch this movie again. He does not need to see women parading around it bras, the near deaths of both humans and animals (he was really freaked out when the fish flops around on the ground for a while after his bowl breaks or countless other things that dismayed both my wife and I. There were several times where we just looked at each other in disbelief at what we were seeing.

For all of the parents who think this is a good movie for their kids to watch, I strongly advise against it.

If I wasn't so cheap, I would have left before it was over.

This is a sequel which doesn't really follow the original, but will bring in viewers because of the success of the original, which we really enjoyed. The story line was far-fetched, and the humor slapstick. The singing mice were cute but were totally detached from the rest of the characters and the story line. Could not understand why they were there. The only entertainment I had was to wonder "Now how did they do that!" when observing the special effects. Mickey Rooney's cameo was sick! It was not clear whether he was a good guy or a bad guy. I was not sure whether he looks that bad for real, or the make-up guys did it to him. Save your money unless pure chaos is your idea of great humor.

What is wrong with you people?

I'm willing to excuse the vicious reviews this film recieved on its release as a huge misconception, you see poeple (reviewers)were expecting another retread of the charming 95 movie, in other words a cash in. What a dis-service they have done everyone. You people who have not seen this film have missed a beautiful, sad and masterful allegory. To me the film was about immigrants, their struggles , the cynicism of living in a big city (notice the ape family's indifference to the drowning dog).It's about rascism and intolerance,expressed slyly in the opera loving animal hating neighbours of the hotel at which babe stays . Yet you don't have to bother with such complex themes if you don't care to as the film is visually rich, every frame is a work of art(shot mostly at low angles with the camera moving kinetically and gracefully). These oblique shots, the special effects would make the film worth checking out on their own, but they wouldn't even be worth mentioning had the film been not so moving. I will never forget the seguence where babe saves the dog that was chasing him from drowning, or saving the dieing fish by spitting it into the river. I realise I'm blabbering but I'm actually quite bitter at all those critics, they contributed a great deal to this films financial failure and thus the film was not even released overhere cinematically(I just saw it on video).To me this film is a noble immigrant's tale written like a novel by Charles Dickens, performed by the one and only Babe and directed by Goerge Miller. I don't even care "who the film is suitable for", that is irrelevant, it is purely and simply a shamefully overlooked masterpiece. Babe was wonderful film, this one is completely different and all the better for it."That'll do Pig", indeed it will.

A "PG" MOVIE THAT'S ACTUALLY FOR ADULTS!

What a ride this one is! This is one of those movies that brings up extreme emotions at either end of the happiness scale depending how you view it.

If you're looking for a pablum-textured "the world is a wonderful place" children's film, then skip it. This is by no means a children's movie, despite the "PG" rating. This is a dark and frightful story. As I as watching it, I couldn't help but think that the filmmakers were taking glee, sometimes sadistically so, in setting up scene after scene in which animals were in danger. Fortunately for us, there are such modern technological gizmos as animatronics and computer graphics, so there is reassurance that not everything you see is real. It just seems real. Vividly real. (People who cry that animals were surely harmed during this movie need to read the end credits a little more closely. The magic of computers is everywhere.)

That out of the way, let's move on. If you look at "Babe: Pig In The City" as an adult adventure film, then it's a great edge-of-your-seat story. The set designs are elaborate, yet colorfully simple so they don't intrude and take over the acting. The script certainly packs a punch (repeatedly!), and is wonderful at quickly bringing up emotions within the viewer -- you love, you hate, and at times you absolutely loathe certain characters and situations. But you're never bored or uninterested. There are hundreds of cute touches in this film, from the cat chorus to the dog dream to the now-famous three singing mice.

I can see why it bombed commercially; this is not a film for everyone and the "PG" rating is slightly misleading. But it's a great film that deserves more praise than it's gotten. Parents, be warned: this isn't for kids. But it's still a fine movie that you deserve to see at least once.

Masterpiece

I have watched this film a number of times and have enjoyed it very much each time. The most recent time however I was amazed at its beauty and quality.Films like this one are so rare. There is a certain spirit in movies like this that make you still in awe as you watch. "The Truman Show" was one of those films.I loved the art direction. The warm and safe farm that we know and love, and the dark city with a thousand landmarks, the endless and cold airport terminal, the multi-floored Flealands hotel, the eclectic canal streetscape, all fantastic, penetrating images.The characters in this film are so involving. The lonely pink poodle, the paranoid (who can blame him after dropping in on the Metropolis Gun Club) Ferdinand, the triumphant Flealick, the yes-no Nigel & Alan, along with the menagerie of other cats, dogs and monkeys and of course, not forgetting Babe.This film has something to say. It talks about our uncaring world. It talks about poverty, nimbyism, pride, destiny and most importantly how "a kind and steady heart can save a sad and sorry world". And a cruel world it is. Cats and dogs licking the spaghetti stain on the carpet since there is no other food. The little dog who says "My owner put me in a bag, and threw me in the water."There are many beautiful and touching scenes in this film. The scene where Babe saves the pitbull after almost being killed by him. The reaction of the onlookers suggest they have never witnessed anything like that before.The most beautiful and touching scene in the movie for me is when Flealick, the little Jack Russell with wheels for back legs is tossed across the street while trying to save his friends. As the camera pans towards his upturned body, one of Flealicks wheels spins slower and slower as his breathing becomes more labored. Finally the wheel stops and the next scene shows the deceased Flealick in paradise, jumping with healthy legs on a flowery meadow to catch colorful butterflies. This is one of the most touching scenes I have seen in any movie. Period.This movie also has some great wit. Just look at the crowd of characters in the street after a police officer throws Ms. Hogget into the police van and says "OK freak show over". Hardly!This move is also very, very funny. Ferdinand's paranoia is at its best when he cries "Oxygen!" simply because someone closes a door. The bungee jumping ballroom scene is great!Good for you Roger Ebert for it being part of your top ten pick for 1998, and even better for you Gene Siskel for giving it the best film award for that year. Again, this film is a masterpiece.

Should not be marketed as a children's movie.

I have read many of the reviews of this movie and I have seen it compared to City of Lost Children. I have a problem with that. As a fan of The City of Lost Children the only thing I feel the two movies have in common is the feel of the setting. I also feel that most of those people are also missing a point, Babe: Pig in the City was aimed at young children and families, The City of Lost Children IS RATED R! The movies are aimed at two different groups of people. The people who don't feel Pig in the City was right for their children were completely justified to be angry that it is not more like the original. When most people view a sequel they expect that connection to the original. (Not that they are expecting a remake.) For example: The Empire Strikes Back is arguably one of the best sequels, although it was a darker movie than Star Wars, it still held all the things that made Star Wars great. Everything fit into the world created by Star Wars, and all the characters behaved in ways consistent with how they were originally established. On the other hand there is the sequel to Highlander; Highlander 2: The Quickening. Most fans of Highlander hated this sequel, BECAUSE IT DIDN'T STAY TRUE TO FACTS AND BEHAVIORS ESTABLISHED IN THE FIRST MOVIE.However many of those same people felt that it would have made a good movie, if it had not been set up as a sequel to Highlander. The same may be said by some people about Pig in the City. However, I feel it failed as a sequel, and as a children's movie. One reviewer compared it to Bambi, and compared the events in Bambi with the events in Pig in the City. However, Bambi was animated whereas Pig in the City is not. I can not believe that the animals in Pig in the City, especially the dog that was hung over the bridge, did not feel any discomfort or stress, even if they weren't physically injured. These animals were real. Which brings up another reason I didn't like this movie it is one more of many movies who feel the need to portray Animal Control Officers as evil people out to get animals. Most of these people are actually people who care very much for animals and are many times put in the position of having to watch beautiful,loving animals killed because of irresponsible owners who seem to think a pet is a disposable commodity. I feel Babe: Pig in the City is a horrible example of a sequel, a horrible example of comedy (we've already seen it's type in the Home Alone movies), and a horrible horrible example of a children's movie. It does nothing to teach (unless the lesson is stay out of the cities), which is one thing, but not one of the children (out of 9) I know who have seen it was entertained by it. In fact more than one was bothered by it. The only thing I can find good to say about it was it had great effects.

NOT VERY GOOD

THIS IS SOME WHAT CHARMING BUT THE MOVIES SEEMS TO BE ONE BIG TRAGEDY AFTER THE NEXT.THE THE LAST MINS ARE TOTALY UNFUNNY SLAPSTICK.ALSO WAS WAS JAMES CROWELL NOT IN THE MOVIE MORE HE WAS PART OF THE MAGIC OF THE FRIST ONE.I WAS VERY DISSAPIONTED WITH THIS.