Babe (1995)

This is How Movies Should Be Made

Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant

There is just so much movie here. For some it may be too much. But in the same secretly sarcastic way most telemarketers say the phrase, the title of this one is particularly apt.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

There's no point in going over the plot here. There are a handful of one star sour grapes reviews that were all likely written by the cast of Apollo 13 or the dirtbags from the several mafia movies that came out that year. After that you don't get anything less than six stars and that's right where the reviews should start--at "above average". I just saw this tonight on cable for about the fifth time and had forgotten what a tremendous movie this is. Sure, a pig who herds sheep is a little corny, but like the plot or not, the movie is, as I say, Just About Flawless. It has some gentle humor, a few gentle lessons of the reality of farm life, some idyllic scenery, and shows cats for what they really are. Well made, well paced, well acted (to the extent the humans aren't just devices for the animals), and a satisfying conclusion. Great for all ages.

Displaying a very cruel fact that people kill and eat animals through animals' innocent aspects. Well designed cute story with deep meaning implying rules and classes in the society.

Babe is the runt of the litter who was born in a factory farm. He gets picked as the worthless prize in a country fair. Farmer Hoggett (James Cromwell) who doesn't keep pigs, wins him in a guess the weight contest. Babe ends up being raised by the sheep dog mother Fly. He befriends the various animals. With the help of Ferdinand the Duck, he gets into trouble and slowly learns the way of the farm. He is doomed to be Christmas dinner for Esme Hoggett but Farmer Hoggett convinces her to save his life. Then Farmer Hoggett notices something strange about the pig.There is a great sense of wonderment and joy in this movie. It plays like one of those kids books and it's so terrific for it. Roscoe Lee Browne's narration is the perfect tone. It doesn't use any modern references or knowing sarcasm. It is a sincere old fashion melodrama and part modern feel good charmer.

This is a feel-good animal film based on the children's novel, Babe, a story about Farmer Hoggett (James Cromwell) winning a runty piglet named Babe at the local fair. The pig befriends the other animals on Mr. Hoggett's farm and learns and takes on the job of sheep-herding.Though a children's story, this film can be enjoyed by adults as well, as it is heartfelt and charming that is perfect for the entire family. It brings a message of friendship, courage and teamwork and the lessons of growing up. The special effects team did a great job in making the real life animals talk, so you have to suspend reality for several minutes and imagine a world where animals can interact with each other like humans can.This film reminds me of Charlotte's Web, where the pig of that film has an innocent personality whose inquisitive nature eventually brought the farm animals closer, much like the characters in this film. There are also sad moments in the film (which can, I suppose, teaches children how complicated life can be), but much of the film is filled with innocence, joy and zany characters (both human and animals).I did, however, found that some of the plot points to be a tad slow and not as adventurous as some other animal movies like Charlotte's Web, but overall, the film is a real treat for the entire family.Grade B