Babe.
Just hearing the title makes me smile. Get me all warm and fuzzy.
To be honest I’m very biased. There’s so much speaking for this movie.
- Great actors such as James Cromwell and Magda Szubanski.
- A fantastic song by Randy Newman (Sung by none other than the equally fantastic Peter Gabriel).
- A terrific story full of compassion, cruelty, suspense, Big Big philosophy, humor and even romance.
- A wonderfully crafted visual frame. Kitsch and rural landscapes meet in a imaginative mix.
- Recommended for ages Newborn – Almost dead.
Quick synopsis:
Babe is born in poverty to a slave mother. He is then separated from mother and sold to be given away as a prize for stupid humans. Stern yet increasingly humane farmer wins Babe. Babe tries to earn a place in a new environment, meeting mostly harsh words from fellow animals. Eventually with the aid of sensible sheepdog he starts to become his own. Learning and earning respect from before mentioned farmer. Albeit comical counterparts try to drag him into mischief and mayhem.
Finally being confronted with an seemingly insurmountable feat he earns the respect and love of his fellow earthlings.
There are sooooo many things in this movie that is worth talking about, and for those of you who have seen it, worth pointing out to others as the truly pivotal moments in this film.
But instead of writing 80 pages I will boil it down to a few:
- Never give up! If you try and try and try and try and try again. You CAN make it. You might get shot down along the way, but get up again and keep at it.
- Race, color, creed, accomplishments, looks, intelligence. It ALL goes out the window. The only thing that matters is love and caring and the want or need to help. “A dog and a pig friends? Preposterous.” Only if you can’t dream and keep an open mind.
- Animals are sentient beings too, they feel, think and need pretty much the same as we humans. (Granted some are easier to understand, and some are “cuter”)
In conclusion:
I dare anyone of you that has not seen it to see it! And if you disagree with me please comment so I can do my best to change your opinion. This movie should have won more than the Best Effects, Visual Effects Oscar(TM) in 1996, I mean Braveheart wasn’t that good, or original. Babe was after all nominated in 7 categories.
And for those die hard Babe fans, don’t forget the wonderfully whimsical Sequel: Babe – Pig in the city.
PralinPappan 