This little piggie named Babe went out to the city. Alas, he should have stayed home with dear old Farmer Hoggett. His second little movie became roast beef when loyal audiences weren't gonna put up with it. Then, it suddenly became none. These happy ticket buyers cried foul and left the theater for good. I can remember all that happened since this was first released, and now that I've just seen the official home video edition, the verdict is now out. It isn't just the offending matter that put Babe's new film on the meat hook, but this is authentic testimony that sequels fail to live up to expectations from the original, which was so great in comparison. What happened???
To brighten things up for now, the wizardry that was used in the original BABE movie remains here. I'm still impressed with the animal talents that look lively even when they're actually speaking. They still act nearly human as with the first. A few adults and children will still love and remember the gallant pig for his achievements and responsibilities that pay due respect to a "family" movie. At least this sequel added only one more element that signifies: how to adapt in a world driven by an edge of chaos. The point of having a cast of barnyard animals in a big budget movie is magically delightful for almost every age.
But things went too far. What depresses me in viewing a nice little movie that's rated "G" has to do with director George Miller (of violent MAD MAX fame) for making a nightmarish kiddie show that will never be regretted. I strongly urge all loving parents to please view with the children. It pains me to hear words such as "serial killer" and "suicidal", or seeing "babes" in small tops and bikinis with a seductive cosmetics ad over their heads. This is considered as a perverting nature. I could see how the film producers tried to skirt around the adult-like themes to make this safe and sound. Things don't come easy anymore, but the movie is already hurt by this true amount of substance.
Above all and anything else, there are a few problems. For an $80 million production, money is a terrible thing to waste. Almost every scene is shot in the dark, making one feel that it was better on the sunnyside farm. Why? This is perhaps a wrong-way move on the writer's point of view. Occasionally, you don't know how quiet it looks with rich (and again, dark) scenery that surrounds the picture tube. It also falls into the peril trap, with hard moments one too many, and nearly as violent. One surprising thing I've found is that the humans show off an abstract form of cruelty (an example is the scene with those animal control guys). With the intensity that shows, it's far from cartoonish! What's more depressing is the sudden absence of Farmer Hoggett following a freak accident. Pity on the script!
BABE: PIG IN THE CITY has unfortunately illustrated how weak sequels really are. Three years in the making would have achieved results more positive than negative. The pig remains to be a lovable icon, which warrants a sincere recommendation on the 1995 original. It's a crying shame a nicely told children's story has to turn ugly. A real sad-but-true disappointment!
To brighten things up for now, the wizardry that was used in the original BABE movie remains here. I'm still impressed with the animal talents that look lively even when they're actually speaking. They still act nearly human as with the first. A few adults and children will still love and remember the gallant pig for his achievements and responsibilities that pay due respect to a "family" movie. At least this sequel added only one more element that signifies: how to adapt in a world driven by an edge of chaos. The point of having a cast of barnyard animals in a big budget movie is magically delightful for almost every age.
But things went too far. What depresses me in viewing a nice little movie that's rated "G" has to do with director George Miller (of violent MAD MAX fame) for making a nightmarish kiddie show that will never be regretted. I strongly urge all loving parents to please view with the children. It pains me to hear words such as "serial killer" and "suicidal", or seeing "babes" in small tops and bikinis with a seductive cosmetics ad over their heads. This is considered as a perverting nature. I could see how the film producers tried to skirt around the adult-like themes to make this safe and sound. Things don't come easy anymore, but the movie is already hurt by this true amount of substance.
Above all and anything else, there are a few problems. For an $80 million production, money is a terrible thing to waste. Almost every scene is shot in the dark, making one feel that it was better on the sunnyside farm. Why? This is perhaps a wrong-way move on the writer's point of view. Occasionally, you don't know how quiet it looks with rich (and again, dark) scenery that surrounds the picture tube. It also falls into the peril trap, with hard moments one too many, and nearly as violent. One surprising thing I've found is that the humans show off an abstract form of cruelty (an example is the scene with those animal control guys). With the intensity that shows, it's far from cartoonish! What's more depressing is the sudden absence of Farmer Hoggett following a freak accident. Pity on the script!
BABE: PIG IN THE CITY has unfortunately illustrated how weak sequels really are. Three years in the making would have achieved results more positive than negative. The pig remains to be a lovable icon, which warrants a sincere recommendation on the 1995 original. It's a crying shame a nicely told children's story has to turn ugly. A real sad-but-true disappointment!