Babe (Widescreen Special Edition)
by Chris Noonan
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Christine Cavanaugh, Danny Mann, James Cromwell, Magda Szubanski, Miriam MargolyesDirector: Chris Noonan
Brand: Universal Studios
Writer: Chris Noonan
Producer: Bill Miller
Producer: Catherine Barber
Producer: Daphne Paris
Producer: Doug Mitchell
Writer: Dick King-Smith
Writer: George Miller
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 89 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-09-23
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Studio: Universal Studios
Movie Reviews of Babe (Widescreen Special Edition)
Movie Review: One of the Rarest of Movies
Summary: 5 Stars
Is it pointless to write a review on a movie that was produced 15 years ago? Or that was nominated for a slew of Oscar awards and has therefore already generated a litany of viewer reviews that have doubtless covered every aspect of the movie? Or whose richness and intricacy defies simple explanation? Indeed, it probably is; but as we approach the two-decade mark since Babe was released, I'd nevertheless like to take a moment to write just why this movie is one of the most powerful and touching I've ever seen.
Babe is thought of as a kid's movie, and, in some ways, it is. But it's a mistake to sum this work up as solely a kid's movie. This is a movie that strikes deep into the soul and heart of the viewer, one that pricks at some of the basic undercurrents of life itself, and forces one to rethink these deep issues through the lens of innocence, honesty, and curiosity. Yes, it's delightful; yes, its funny; indeed, its charming. But it is far more than that. This work deeply challenges us to think about "the way things are," and brings forth some of the realities of life in a way that few movies can ever do. Yes, kids can watch this and enjoy it from beginning to end, but virtually any adult should be able to see within its first five minutes that this is not your typical movie "fare" - kid or otherwise - and that the story has an emotive power and subtext that is both completely unexpected and incredibly rich.
The story in Babe is straightforward. A pig ends up on a farm, tries to figure out his "place" on that farm, eventually discovers that he, too, has a place there, in spite of his own fears that he might not. Oh, yes, and he's a talented creature, too. That's about it.
Actually, that's the main storyline that supports a magical world of powerful, emotional, and thought-provoking events, a laboratory test tube of the greater world that has more the trappings of a gilded box than a rabbit's cage. But even the entertaining and unusual events of the movie are only the setting for the more important themes of the storyline. Throughout of the story, Babe is faced with a series of realities that challenge his innocence at every turn, and threaten to change his sweet nature into a cynical outlook towards all things human and animal. Repeatedly, the pig must make a choice between trust and bitterness as his knowledge of his world expands. He is enticed by a duck trying to rescue his own life through a criminal act; is tormented by a self-serving cat undertaking revenge and is threatened by a mean-spirited, jealous dog who is living with a life disappointment that colors his daily experience. The pig is befriended by a man, a sheep-herder farmer, who somehow senses something unusual about this pig, and thereby becomes the laughing stock of his friends, family, and community, but is nonetheless undeterred via a "common sense of destiny." That destiny is threatened throughout the story, but although only recognized only by Babe and the farmer, that destiny is seen through to the end, and we are all the wiser in seeing the story unfold.
So what is "Babe" about? It is about innocence, openness, prejudice, kindness, belief, fairness, and acceptance. But it is about more than that. It is also about sadness, tragedy, endurance, and guilt. It's about "the way things are" and the way that, perhaps, it should be.
So, let the kids watch it and enjoy, and enjoy they will. The talking animals, the cuteness of the characters, even the gorgeously played and recorded music, is a delightful romp through a magical world of enchanted reality. But as you watch it yourself, be drawn into the thought and reflection surrounding the messages of the film, and reflect on what it means. You'll find it is not a simple, cute movie at all: it's the deepest of examinations of human experience masquerading as kids' entertainment. You'll thoroughly enjoy it, but I assure you, it won't end there.
Summary of Babe (Widescreen Special Edition)
Academy Award winner and Best Picture nominee, Babe is the inspirational story of a shy Yorkshire piglet who doesn't quite know his place in the world. But when Farmer Hoggett (James Cromwell) wins him at the county fair, Babe discovers that he can be anything he wants to be - even an award-winning sheepdog! With the help of a delightful assortment of barnyard friends, the heroic little pig is headed for the challenge of his life in this endearing and fun-filled tale the whole family will love.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
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