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BABE - Pig In The City [1998]
from Universal Pictures UK
starring Magda Szubanski, Elizabeth Daily, Mickey Rooney, James Cromwell, Mary Stein
directed by George Miller

Features:

• Dubbed
• PAL
• Widescreen

Editorial Review:

Deservedly acclaimed as one of 1998's best films, this sequel to the beloved 1995 live-action fantasy proved a commercial catastrophe and a source of dismay to parents expecting another bucolic, sweet-natured fable. Every bit as sly and visually stunning as its predecessor, Babe: Pig in the City is otherwise a jolting ride beyond the Hoggetts' farm into a no less vivid but far darker world--the allegorical city of the title, which for the diminutive "sheep pig" proves truly nightmarish. Australian filmmaker George Miller (Mad Max, The Road Warrior), who produced and cowrote the first film, this time takes the director's reins, and he ratchets up the pace and the peril as effectively as he did on his influential trilogy of apocalyptic, outback sci-fi thrillers.

From the opening scene, Babe: Pig in the City means to disrupt the reassuring calm achieved by the conclusion of the previous film. Babe's prior triumph proves short-lived, and within moments Miller has us literally peering into the depths as he sets up a horrific well accident that nearly kills the taciturn but good-hearted Farmer Hoggett (James Cromwell), Babe's beloved "Boss." Journeying with the equally pink, even plumper Mrs. Hoggett (Magda Szubanski), the young pig finds himself in a city where animals are outcasts, staying in the lone hotel that allows pets. When Mrs. Hoggett is detained, Babe must contend with the suspicions and rivalries of the hotel's other four-legged guests. The film's G status doesn't fully telegraph the shock Miller induces: bad things happen to good animals, and Babe's new acquaintances are a far cry from his colleagues on the farm. In particular, he must contend with a cynical family of chimps given wonderful, dead-pan voice characterisations by Steven Wright and Glenne Headly.

Miller's use of effects to transform his animals into "actors" is even more seamlessly integrated than in Babe. The sequel's production design is crucial to the creation of a complete, absorbing world, and purely visual ideas--such as a deluge of blue balloons during the climactic ballroom battle--achieve a splendour and originality that a room full of computer-graphics desktops couldn't muster. Ultimately, though, the film does more than amaze: as Babe's compassion and courage transform those around him, we're moved in ways that purveyors of by-the-numbers family fare can only dream of. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 2.5 / 5.0

• Wonderful.
  Before I watched this film I was really skeptical, given the bad press it seems to get from most people, but after watching it I wondered what they were on about. It is a fantastic film.
  The main problem people seem to have is how dark it is, yes it is a very dark film and quite twisted in places, but to me that is what made it great, it was a true progression from the sugary sweetness of the original yet retains the cuteness and charm that made the first magical.
  I am not a kid so I will have... more info

• Watch it before letting your kids watch it
  Reading the reviews here, and other online reviews, it's clear that this movie is a real love it/hate it thing. Me? I hated it. I've rarely been so vehemently opposed to a movie. We bought it for our kids because they liked the original Babe, and the cover picture looks sunny and happy. Don't be fooled. 'Grotesque' is the word that constantly comes to mind. If you are thinking of getting this for your kids - well, maybe they will like it, but I would very strongly recommend you watch it yourself first so... more info

• As good as the first film
  This film is really good. I don't understand why people say it isn't. I suppose you don't see much of babe rounding up sheep but it is still a nice heart-warming story. Don't listen to what people say about this film, it is really good.

• Carnivale masterpiece
  Yes, Babe 2 is a dark film. Sinister, gothic, visually stunning and intertwined with a wickedly camp sense of humour; like Angela Carter without the rude words. Why on earth people think that children wouldn't like this film is beyond me: the darkness and motifs of the film are taken directly from the world of fairy tales. Despite some of the fiercer, more frightening elements of the film, innocense endures and sentiment prevails. A brilliant film, worthy of Tim Burton. Don't condescend children by thinking... more info

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