"Whatever the pig says, goes."      

BABE: PIG IN THE CITY (G) 

Reviewed November 27, 1998 - Check out the Babe: Pig in the City Website.

I remember watching the original Babe back in 1995, and remember enjoying the film for its good-natured and quirky story.  The pig who became a champion sheep-herder and the best friend of his master, Farmer Hoggett.  How funny in a quaint sort of way...

Well, it's three years later and along comes the sequel, Babe: Pig in the City, and after just sitting through it I so badly wish that they'd left Farmer Hoggett and his Pig alone.  Instead, no sooner does the film begin when Farmer Hoggett (James Cromwell) is seriously injured in a drinking well accident caused by Pig, the Farm faces insolvency, and Mrs. Hoggett (Magda Szubanski) is forced to take Pig to the city to make some money as a Fairground sideshow.  On the way, of course, Mrs. Hoggett is suspected of drug possession, held at the airport, misses a connecting flight, and is eventually stranded in a hotel where her bag is stolen, she misplaces Pig, and she suddenly finds herself in jail (for causing mayhem as she searched for Pig).

And all the while I'm asking myself: "Who came up with this garbage??"  What was once a tale with a good-natured, warm-hearted tone has been turned into an unpleasant and gaudy experience in this sequel.  Sure, you get to meet a whole new set of "city animals," but most of them are either unoriginal or unlikeable (or both).  Babe: Pig in the City feels like an ugly, harried and boring circus freakshow, and is a surprisingly dark entry into the holiday movie mix this year.  The charm of the original is just not there, and the few lessons this sequel does try to convey (everyone should get along, etc., etc.) are forced and tired.

Avoid this one if you can...there's so many better films out there...

Responses from cyberspace--thanks for writing!

darrinandrew@msn.com gives this movie  stars: "The is the possibly the best movie of the year, certainly the most original. I praise it not lighty, because I was skeptifal at first,but this movie just blew me away. It was poignant, witty, and inventive. But most of all it was visually amazing, virtual eye candy. It was a moving and inspiring tale, set in an awesome fantasy world. " (7/11/99)

Rippfam@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "I loved this movie..I really don't understand how anyone couldn't actually. After having read the reviews surrounding the movie it makes one wonder whether they were watching the same movie at all..I am disappointed thmovie has not done better at the box office. I did not rush out to see it and accidentally caught it on video..I was very glad I did..I will be buying a copy post haste. I thought it was intelligent and exremely well done. " (6/13/99)

gillianlover@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "The best film of the year easily. "Pig in the City" contains realistic morals throughout, a touching set of characters who are more human than any human in any other film of this year, the setting is superb, the cinematography magnificent, and the diversion into darkness throughout the whole film made it one of the first sequels ever to be completely different to the original. Isn't that what we want? Originality? Degrading this film for its darkness for children is not acceptable...it is a film FOR ALL, not just children...the dialogue is exceptional, and is clearly one of the most intelligent films of the past two years. Everything shines. And even so, the humans of the film are given much better roles than in the original. After all, isn't life in the city scarier than on a farm? Of course it is. So stop whining, people, and revel in the dignity and courage of George Miller." (1/9/99)

anonymous entry gives this movie  stars: "Babe: Pig in the City is a little dark but it is still a very creative, very funny movie. It did not seem to bother my little brother, or any of the other children in the audience. I enjoyed it alot. It was not as good as the original but few sequels are as good. I highly recommend this movie." (12/23/98)

vermonte@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "Big disapointment for me and all the other adults in the movie house. Only good point was we got more of the singing mice. Once again the movie by committees miss the point that charm and entertaiment cannot be manufactured It has to come natually from the movie story." (12/19/98)