I'll admit that I didn't want to see "Babe" because I didn't want to see some stupid kids'movie. I resisted and finally gave in after some serious needling by a friend who had seen it (and after I lost a bet to her).
I walked into the theater fully expecting to not like this movie. You have to believe this. I was so sure it would be something utterly reprehensible and devoid of any merit. I knew I would hate it. I was seeing this movie pretty much against my will just to keep my word. I actively resented being in the theater. I'm just trying to give you some insight into my mindset when I walked into the theater. I hope I've been clear that I would rather have been practically anywhere else but there. We sat and the movie started. I was completely wrong.
I mean it. I was so totally and completely wrong about this movie it took me by surprise. It is completely perfect. I walked out of the theater with a huge silly grin on my face, the music from the movie trapped in my mind along with images of the competition at the end (with sheep marching about in perfect formation behind Farmer Hoggett).
This is not just a "kids' movie". I love it. It is clear that it is a fantasy and that kids will love it but it doesn't condescend. The use of words in the screenplay is extremely different from what you usually find (not only in movies aimed at children but in many comedies as well). The effects are pretty seemless and you find that you can actually read the animals' lips as they talk.
The story is simple and charming. A young pig is won in a contest by a farmer and tried to settle into life on the farm. He kind of has a hard start at first but eventually finds a talent for herding sheep simply by being polite and gentle. That is pretty much it and yet it's not. The filmmaking is beautiful, James Cromwell is perfect as Farmer Hoggett (giving off an air if complete dignity towards the end).
It was released on video not long after I saw it. I was with my friend in the video store when we both saw the floor display selling the video. I immediately bought two copies: one for me and one for my niece.
I have made several friends watch 'Babe". They all approach it with trepidation and end up with the the same silly grin I had when I watched it. They loved it.
Basically the movie is beautiful and definitely worth seeing. I cannot see how anyone could be disappointed in it. It's phenomenal. Check it out.
I walked into the theater fully expecting to not like this movie. You have to believe this. I was so sure it would be something utterly reprehensible and devoid of any merit. I knew I would hate it. I was seeing this movie pretty much against my will just to keep my word. I actively resented being in the theater. I'm just trying to give you some insight into my mindset when I walked into the theater. I hope I've been clear that I would rather have been practically anywhere else but there. We sat and the movie started. I was completely wrong.
I mean it. I was so totally and completely wrong about this movie it took me by surprise. It is completely perfect. I walked out of the theater with a huge silly grin on my face, the music from the movie trapped in my mind along with images of the competition at the end (with sheep marching about in perfect formation behind Farmer Hoggett).
This is not just a "kids' movie". I love it. It is clear that it is a fantasy and that kids will love it but it doesn't condescend. The use of words in the screenplay is extremely different from what you usually find (not only in movies aimed at children but in many comedies as well). The effects are pretty seemless and you find that you can actually read the animals' lips as they talk.
The story is simple and charming. A young pig is won in a contest by a farmer and tried to settle into life on the farm. He kind of has a hard start at first but eventually finds a talent for herding sheep simply by being polite and gentle. That is pretty much it and yet it's not. The filmmaking is beautiful, James Cromwell is perfect as Farmer Hoggett (giving off an air if complete dignity towards the end).
It was released on video not long after I saw it. I was with my friend in the video store when we both saw the floor display selling the video. I immediately bought two copies: one for me and one for my niece.
I have made several friends watch 'Babe". They all approach it with trepidation and end up with the the same silly grin I had when I watched it. They loved it.
Basically the movie is beautiful and definitely worth seeing. I cannot see how anyone could be disappointed in it. It's phenomenal. Check it out.