Customer Reviews

Babe: Pig in the City

5 star:		(104)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(43)

 

 

I've grown weary of angry parents condemning this wonderful film because it was too frightening for their children. "Babe: Pig in the City" is a masterpiece, full of wonderful imagery and heart. While I agree that some of scenes may be frightening for the very young, I have to ask: what's wrong with that? Do not forget that every one of these "scary" scenes serves a purpose in the film's themes and in the development of its characters. Unlike most films geared at children these days, the lessons in "Babe - Pig in the City" are not easily learned. Just as in life, these lessons can be scary -- just as change is frightening for us all. Each of these pieces finds its way into the experiences that help Babe grow -- and develop respect for creatures different than he. That's a lesson with weight, and when it happens in the film, it means something. I'm 32, but I remember films that stood out to me as a kid -- and they weren't ones that were safe, easy crowd-pleasers. They were the ones that challenged me, made me think, and yes, sometimes scared me...but they were ultimately the ones that had things to say about the world. Siskel & Ebert called it correctly: "Babe - Pig in the City" was one of last year's very best films.

A smartly written tale of a little pig who can accomplish anything he wants. A must see.
Babe- a little pig wants to be a sheep dog, but all the farm animals laugh at him. In the end he does what is necessary and gets the job done!

Babe - Pig In The City - Slightly darker, sequel with deeper themes that may not be appropriate for all children due to some scary and tense moments.

I reccomend both movies highly!

The film is a masterpiece of the first water in every conceivable way. Visually it is astounding; these animals give some of the best performances on film, thanks to enormously talented human actors, a brilliant screenplay, a brilliant director, and, of course, the amazing animal actors themselves.

Unfortunately, certain parents and their children expected light fare on par with the original Babe movie (which is terrific but clearly inferior to its sequel). The result reminds me very much of the general reaction to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory; many parents felt and feel it is just "too dark" and "upsetting" for their children. It seems to me that many of their outraged "reviews" here betray the fact that they spent too much time worrying about whether scenes were too intense for their children and not enough time actually watching the film or attempting to understand it.

Anyone who complains that the movie is too dark, violent (even "disgusting") clearly did not pay attention to the movie. No animal or person dies or is permanently damaged within the course of the film. Even the goldfish and Flealick (the little dog on wheels) survive. The message(s) of the movie, moreover, couldn't be more suitable for children: tolerance, kindness and respect for animals, redemption through perseverence, just to name a few.

I suspect that those people who hated the film are also the kind of people who are more concerned with whether their children are frightened by an intense scene in a movie and less concerned with keeping their own animals indoors and off the streets at night. My advice: rewatch the film, alone if you think your kids will somehow be mentally "damaged" by it. If you pay attention this time, you just might realize that, far from being "bad" for your children, you children (and you, possibly) might just learn an important thing or two about the importance of kindness to those different from themselves.

For those who haven't seen it, I give my highest recommendation to this movie. One of the best I've seen; important and potentially life changing. I can honestly say that in my experience there has never been a movie like it made before or since.

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.

I was so disappointed to learn that BABE: Pig in the City did not fare well at the Box Office, mostly because of negative accounts in the media proclaiming the film as "too scary" for children. For crying out loud, didn't Bambi's mother die? Every timeless fairy tale has some element of "evil" against which to showcase the goodness, and in this film, the goodness prevails and conveys several examples of how "a kind and steady heart" can mend some of the troubles in today's world.

This movie is visually captivating, endearing, dramatic, and funny. There were times I forgot that animals don't *really* talk in real life. This is an original story (for a change) that will transcend time. It's one of my all-time favorites, and I much prefer it over the formulaic, merchandising-driven, annual Disney "instant classic."

This is a fantastic (in all senses of the word) film that is as different from the original "Babe" as "The Nightmare Before Christmas" is from "The Night Before Christmas." You and "Babe" the pig are transported to an enchantingly "dark," but luminous metropolis, where animals are plunged into a kind of social Darwinism more treacherous than biological survival of the fittest. There are lots of political and moral implications about conformity, power, even fascism; balanced by true human/animal traits of compassion, sacrifice, and bravery.

The production is outstanding. After you get used to the fact that there the city is no idyllic Scotland, you will be stunned and gratified by the originality of the sets and design. This is a city forged by day-glow imagination and feverish abstraction, it is all of one piece. Give credit to the director, of course, but also to Andrew Leisnic's cinematography and Roger Ford's production design.

Is it too intense for young children? Probably yes, for 2- or 3-year olds (or older), especially those who expect a reprise of the first. But I don't know your kids: Use your prior experience to guide you, or preview the movie yourself (you'll definitely enjoy it). It's more intense than "James and the Giant Peach," a slightly similar movie with an elevated scare factor. Our just-turned-5 yr. old. loved it, but not as much, or on as many levels, as his parents. An absolute triumph!

Many people criticize Babe - Pig In The City, because it is much darker than the original. I don't have children, but I can understand why parents may dislike this movie. Although, it's equally pleasant as the first, the message is deeper. In the first we learned that if you are true to yourself you can accomplish anything. In this sequel we learn that people can be extremely cruel (sometimes, for no reason), but despite that with a little kindness we can win over our enemies.
The original Babe was rated G for General Audiences, the sequel was rated PG for Parental Guidance Suggested. The reason why this movie was given a harsher rating than the first is (in my opinion) because, there are scenes that may be too scary for younger children. A few examples of this are when the chimps fool Babe into entering an area where two vicious dogs await him. The dogs chase him and try to kill him. During the chase, one of the dogs nearly drowns. In another scene, animal control catches the animals in a frightening manner. In yet another scene, two newborn baby chimps dangle from a light fixture where it seems certain doom awaits them. In another, a goldfish almost suffocates when his fish bowl shatters and he desperately needs air. A handicapped puppy almost gets run over and almost dies. Despite these "flaws", Babe- Pig In The City is a brilliant little film, that isn't your average, noisy, pointless, plot-less, garbage made for children nowadays. It is actually a thoughtful movie, which although has some tense moments, deserves to be in your collection. I would also like to point out that today's cartoons have much more violence, and Babe is quite tame in comparison. There are no guns, no foul language and no nudity.
It is truly a sequel with no equal.

I can understand the reservations of many of the 'reviewers' below. Think of 'The Wizard of Oz': a mean old lady steals a dog, a girl runs away from home, a tornado blows through a farm and the girl cannot reach shelter before the funnel cloud strikes, a house falls on a witch, a scarecrow has its stuffing yanked out by flying monkeys, etc. For a child, these are scary, almost shocking images. But they are redeemed by a story and by storytelling that engages them and teaches them lessons about courage, intelligence, and charity. This sequel to 'Babe' follows a similar arc: bad things happen throughout the film, and unpleasant characters abound. But virtually every charcter, human or animal, is affected by the courage, the caring, and the perseverance shown by the young pig. And the filmmaking is so amazing that you cannot stop watching. The choreography of the animals, the creation of a city skyline borrowing from Sydney, New York, San Francisco, London, and more, the comic relief of Ferdinand the duck, and the rescue of the captured animals are all elements that are astonishing. Hey, for some people 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is inappropriate for children because a rabid dog is killed on-screen. If that is your view (and I'm not disparaging it), then this film is not for you. But 'Babe: Pig in the City' is a film of tremendous imagination, humor, and sympathy. It is an outstanding movie, on every level. If you didn't like it, I'd recommend watching it again. It is rewarding and remarkable. If you haven't seen it yet, the series of reviews seen here must make it confusing. But it's important to recognize that these opinions indicate a film capable of eliciting very strong emotions, because it makes such an impression. I totally recommend this film.

The original "Babe" was a huge and deserved hit when released in 1995, earning a Best Picture nomination for it's novel animation and trendsetting technology. Simply said, this follow-up film subtitled "Pig in the City" is equally ingenious, heartwarming and special, indeed.

Critics hailed its messages and transplanted landscape and risky vision. From the warm, embracing countryside, to the chilly rotten city, Babe (and in this case Mrs. Hoggett) venture far from home, encountering profound characters and learning life lessons along the way.

Unfortunately, Babe 2 was a commercial dud, far underperforming the original, due to an uninspired marketing campaign and the film's overall noir-drama characteristics. Alot of parents kept kids away hearing the movie would upset them, and although some intense moments occur, kids by and large have seen far worse on afternoon TV. This film dares to stretch beyond what was expected of it, and becomes a thoughtful, complex fable in the process ... but never fails to entertain young and old alike. It's a film anyone can enjoy, at any time, at any age and a rare thing indeed as a sequel that's literally equal to its predeseser. So many of us loved and cherished the magical Babe during his first incarnation, but trust me, this hog is going places! A class act all the way that needs to be revisited or enjoyed spontanelously the first time around. DO NOT MISS IT.

Babe was purchased for my toddler (and me). It is a great family movie in that multiple generations can watch it multiple times, without really getting sick of it - and the charm of the movie doesn't die. We haven't watched 'Pig in the City' yet.
The only reason this doesn't get 5 stars is the very annoying advertisements at the start of the movie - you can fast forward through them but not skip them entirely - this is NOT a winning strategy! At the very least they should be more carefully chosen - Johnny English is not appropriate for toddlers. Once you know it is there it is easy to by-pass.