Babe (1995)

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

Love the movie, not the previews...

First and foremost: Babe is one of my favorite movies.
If you haven't seen it, you're missing out.
But this movie has "coming attractions", previews that cannot be skipped. Granted, they're only a few minutes long. But you have to watch them each and every time you play the disk. No skipping to the title menu.
If there were other versions available, I'd buy them.
Hey studios: Ineffective marketing tool. Next time I'll research before I buy, and won't buy a movie with forced previews. June 5, 2008

I just love this movie

I just love this movie -- if I have to watch tv with the kids, this is my choice. It gives models for great virtues:

+ innocence
+ trust
+ defending the weak
+ good manners
+ patience

the little mice that sing and talk at the opening/closing of each "Chapter" are hilarious.

The movie has no dark and scary parts -- my kids are still too little to handle much suspense. It is a gentle and sweet kids' (and adults') movie
and I get a big kick out of it. May 27, 2008

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