Babe (1995)

The surprise hit of 1995, this splendidly entertaining family film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including best picture, director, and screenplay, and deservedly won the Oscar for its subtly ingenious visual effects. Babe is all about the title character, a heroic little pig who's been taken in by the friendly farmer Hoggett (Oscar nominee James Cromwell), who senses that he and the pig share "a common destiny." Babe, a popular mischief-maker the Australian farm, is adopted by the resident border collie and raised as a puppy, befriended by Ferdinand the duck (who thinks he's a rooster), and saves the day as a champion "sheep-pig." Filled with a supporting cast of talking barnyard animals and a chorus of singing mice (courtesy of computer enhancements and clever animatronics), this frequently hilarious, visually imaginative movie has already taken its place as a family classic with timeless appeal. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com essential video

A perfect movie.

This movie is perfect. It is funny, heartwarming, dramatic, well acted, and well made. It won't let you down at all. If you have a heart, then "Babe" will capture it for a couple of hours. December 31, 2008

A Must-See for Animal Lovers

This truly is a movie that can be enjoyed by animal lovers of all ages. Young children will enjoy the talking animals and their antics; older children and adults will appreciate the sociological nuances in this well-crafted fable. October 21, 2008

Pig of Destiny

A fable celebrating the triumph of the improbable in the face of convention. Clever use of storybook titles, narrative, lighting & music make this a captivating experience. Ntl Soc Film Critics, Best Film. Golden Globe Best Film (music / comedy). 6 Academy Award nominations incl Best Director September 2, 2008

It's like `Charlottes Web', only better...

I know, I know; very bold statement, but I challenge you to watch `Babe' and not draw the same conclusion. When I first saw `Babe' all those years ago I was like ten and I adored it. But here is the true testament to the brilliance that is `Babe'; I watched it just this past week and LOVED it.

Yes, `Babe' ages very, very well. It is pure family entertainment that shines brightly, giving the audience laughs and tears and heartwarming moments of beauty and peace. `Babe' is a monumental achievement in the world of family (or children's) entertainment for it reaches a level of overall satisfaction without ever having to spice the film with adult humor or forced maturity. This is a children's film that appeals to adults without ever catering to adults, and that is a feat in itself. Unlike `Shrek' and recent so-called children's films that have followed, `Babe' never goes over the child's head yet it always maintains the adult's attention.

`Babe' tells the story a young orphan pig who escapes slaughter by displaying his ability to herd sheep. His owner, Arthur Hoggett enters Babe into a sheep-herding contest despite everyone's disapproval.

The beauty within `Babe' is not found in the plot (which is pretty simple) but in the underlying emotional connection between Hoggett and Babe and, well, Babe and everyone. It really shows that family can never be defined and that you can be loved and show love to any and everyone, regardless of race or even species. At its heart Babe is a story about acceptance and love.

James Cromwell is amazing as Farmer Hoggett. There is a beautiful scene where he nurses Babe back to health after a night spent in the rain and he does this little jig to try and cheer him up and his performance is so sincere and so genuine, which must be hard to muster when working with a mechanical pig. It's a wonder to me why he didn't win that Oscar, I mean Spacey was good (albeit nominated for the wrong performance) but of the final five Cromwell was by far the most deserving. The voiceover actors are all flawless as well and truly add to the cartoon-like vibe of the film.

In the end there are few films this heartfelt and moving, at least in this genre. It is not a sappy saccharine type film that plays too heavy on the heartstrings but this is a pure and emotionally balanced film that manages to appear real and raw despite its very fairytale like prose. August 22, 2008

Great for kids!

Very cute story and great for kids! If you are an animal lover, this is the movie for you! August 15, 2008

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