...far more in the Looney Tunes vein of live-action comedy than Babe ever was.
I should also point up the violence in the film. Although none of the story's people or animals are actually ever harmed in the plot, they are seriously endangered on a number of occasions. This, too, is in keeping with the Looney Tunes nature of the film. A rheumatoid dog with its hind legs in a cart is dragged through the streets by a truck at high speed. A pit bull is very nearly drowned, his head hanging in the water for an extended period of time. Babe is chased by a Doberman pincher and almost eaten alive. I suspect that these and other scenes may be more than a little unsettling for younger children. But for older kids and adults who have grown up with the make-believe violence of animated cartoons, the action is fun and involving.
Video:
Universal offer the film in a 1.33:1 ratio full-frame version and a 1.66:1 ratio widescreen format, both accommodated on the same side of a dual-layered disc. To select the standard full-frame, however, one must go into the play menu; otherwise the machine will default to widescreen. The wider ratio is preferable, in any case. Although it does not quite meet the box's claimed 1.85:1 size, it does display more left and right information than the standard version at no expense of top or bottom material. The picture quality itself is excellent, the colors brilliant and vivid. Because of the extreme brightness of the hues, each pixel seems to explode with color. This gives the appearance of some small graininess at times, but it is really negligible, as are color bleed-through and line fluctuations.
Audio:
The Dolby Digital sound, likewise, is excellent, utilizing all five speakers to good advantage. The low end is not so robust as one might expect, but certainly the frequency range and dynamics are more than adequate.
Extras:
The production notes, cast and director biographies and filmographies, and several theatrical trailers (two for "Pig in the City" and one for the original "Babe") are scant but welcome additions.
Parting Thoughts:
If your reaction is like mine, you'll leave the film wondering, "How'd they do that?" Special effects have reached a point where today anything is possible. The late Gene Siskel called "Babe: Pig in the City" the best film of 1998. I wouldn't go that far, but it is a wonderful comedic adventure, spoiled only slightly by some minor overreaching, especially at the end. While some parts may be too intense for younger viewers, the film should prove a success with older kids and grown-ups. It did with this grown-up, who found it a joy.
Video:
Universal offer the film in a 1.33:1 ratio full-frame version and a 1.66:1 ratio widescreen format, both accommodated on the same side of a dual-layered disc. To select the standard full-frame, however, one must go into the play menu; otherwise the machine will default to widescreen. The wider ratio is preferable, in any case. Although it does not quite meet the box's claimed 1.85:1 size, it does display more left and right information than the standard version at no expense of top or bottom material. The picture quality itself is excellent, the colors brilliant and vivid. Because of the extreme brightness of the hues, each pixel seems to explode with color. This gives the appearance of some small graininess at times, but it is really negligible, as are color bleed-through and line fluctuations.
Audio:
The Dolby Digital sound, likewise, is excellent, utilizing all five speakers to good advantage. The low end is not so robust as one might expect, but certainly the frequency range and dynamics are more than adequate.
Extras:
The production notes, cast and director biographies and filmographies, and several theatrical trailers (two for "Pig in the City" and one for the original "Babe") are scant but welcome additions.
Parting Thoughts:
If your reaction is like mine, you'll leave the film wondering, "How'd they do that?" Special effects have reached a point where today anything is possible. The late Gene Siskel called "Babe: Pig in the City" the best film of 1998. I wouldn't go that far, but it is a wonderful comedic adventure, spoiled only slightly by some minor overreaching, especially at the end. While some parts may be too intense for younger viewers, the film should prove a success with older kids and grown-ups. It did with this grown-up, who found it a joy.
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[release]1908[/release]