Babe: Pig in the City Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Babe accidentally injures Farmer Hoggett, so Mrs. Hoggett takes Babe to a bizarre city where they meet a bunch of weird animals and end up in a series of increasingly absurd situations, all to… save the farm, somehow?

🍿 Babe: Pig in the City: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Accident on the Farm

Following Babe’s success as a sheep-pig, an accident occurs where Farmer Hoggett is seriously injured while trying to fix a well pump with Babe’s help. This sets in motion a chain of events that leads to financial hardship for the family. Mrs. Hoggett decides to take Babe to a distant fair, hoping to win enough money to save the farm from foreclosure.

Stranded in the City

During their journey, Mrs. Hoggett and Babe find themselves stranded in a surreal and chaotic city. The city is a blend of iconic landmarks from various places, creating a fantastical and disorienting environment. They struggle to find accommodation that accepts animals, leading them to a peculiar hotel with a variety of animal residents.

Animal Adventures in the Metropolis

Babe encounters a diverse community of animals, including chimpanzees, dogs, and cats, each with their own stories and struggles. He becomes involved in their lives, leading to humorous and sometimes perilous situations. The city’s underbelly is explored through the eyes of these animals as they navigate the urban landscape.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Babe (Elizabeth Daily): The kind-hearted pig who inadvertently causes trouble but ultimately seeks to help his friends and save the Hoggett farm.
• Mrs. Esme Cordelia Hoggett (Magda Szubanski): Farmer Hoggett’s resourceful wife who takes Babe to the city in an attempt to earn money for the struggling farm.
• Farmer Arthur Hoggett (James Cromwell): Babe’s master, whose accident sets the events of the film in motion, leading to the Hoggetts’ financial troubles.
• Ferdinand (Danny Mann): Babe’s loyal duck friend who accompanies him to the city and provides crucial assistance.
• Thelonius (James Cosmo): A civilized orangutan who assists Mrs. Hoggett in retrieving the animals and later becomes a helper on the farm.
• Miss Floom (Mary Stein): The landlady of the hotel who secretly loves animals and provides refuge for them, helping to save the farm.
• Fugly Floom (Mickey Rooney): The landlady’s elderly uncle, a clown, who performs with apes at the children’s ward, and invites Babe into his act.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• The Pitbull: “No, no, I’m anything but kind. In fact, I have a professional obligation to be malicious.” – The Pitbull explains his role and demeanor to Babe after Babe suggests he’s kind.
• Babe: “Then you should change jobs.” – Babe responds to the Pitbull’s malicious obligation with simple, innocent logic.
• Farmer Arthur Hoggett: “That’ll do, Pig. That’ll do.” – Said with great satisfaction at the end of the movie after babe finds a tap in the city.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $90,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $18,319,860
• Worldwide Gross: $69,131,860

💥 Babe: Pig in the City Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this as a kid and being so confused! It’s definitely not the lighthearted romp you expect after the first movie. The city is so strange and the situations are just bizarre. Mrs. Hoggett’s adventures are hilarious in a very awkward, over-the-top way. The scene where she’s flying around in the clown suit is forever burned into my memory. It’s a weird, unforgettable movie, and I appreciate its boldness even if it’s not always easy to watch.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers who enjoy surreal and unconventional films”
  • “Those interested in movies with strong messages about community and kindness”
  • “Fans of director George Miller’s unique visual style”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Dark themes and potentially frightening scenes”
  • “Some scenes depicting animal distress”
  • “Slapstick violence and chaotic situations”

Professional Reviews

• Empire Magazine: “While darker and stranger than its predecessor, *Babe: Pig in the City* boasts stunning visuals and creative world-building. It’s a bold sequel that may not resonate with all audiences, but its ambition deserves recognition. A surreal and surprisingly thoughtful adventure.
• Variety: “A visually stunning but narratively uneven sequel. *Babe: Pig in the City* ventures into darker territory, which may alienate some viewers expecting the gentle charm of the original. Nevertheless, the impressive animatronics and imaginative set design are commendable.

Audience Reactions

The imaginative cityscapes and unique visual style blew me away.: Visually stunning and unlike any other family film.

The darker tone and bizarre humor were a surprise, but I loved it!: A bold and creative sequel that takes risks.

Overall Consensus: A visually impressive but divisive sequel that leans into darker themes and surreal humor, making it a unique but potentially alienating experience for fans of the original.

Awards

1. Golden Globe Awards (Best Original Song – Motion Picture)- 1999

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director George Miller intentionally made the city a surreal composite of various global landmarks, creating a dreamlike, almost nightmarish urban landscape.”
• “The film’s darker tone and themes were a deliberate choice by Miller, who wanted to explore more complex ideas about society, marginalization, and compassion.”
• “Many of the animal characters were voiced by well-known actors, contributing to the film’s unique and sometimes unsettling atmosphere.”
• “The production involved extensive use of animatronics and visual effects to create realistic talking animals, pushing the boundaries of what was possible at the time.”

🖥️ How to Watch Babe: Pig in the City?

Babe: Pig in the City is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for streaming availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Babe: Pig in the City, you might like these similar films:

• The Adventures of Milo and Otis (1986): Features animal protagonists in a heartwarming adventure, appealing to viewers who enjoy animal-centric stories.
• Chicken Run (2000): Shares themes of escape and fighting for freedom, presented in a family-friendly animated format with memorable characters.
• Paddington (2014): A charming family film about an animal in a human world.

🛒 Babe: Pig in the City Related Products

• Babe / Babe: Pig in the City [Blu-ray]: Get both Babe movies in high definition to enjoy a complete collection of the unlikely hero’s adventures. Perfect for family movie night.
• Babe: Pig in the City Movie Poster: This vibrant poster captures the unique atmosphere of the film’s setting. Its unique setting makes it a stand out piece of movie memorabilia.
• Personalized Pig Plush Toy: A soft and cuddly pig plush that can be personalized with a name or short message. A reminder of Babe’s gentle nature.

🎧 Soundtrack

Babe: Pig in the City features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “That’ll Do” – performed by Peter Gabriel
• “Organ Symphony” – performed by Camille Saint-Saëns
• “Il Trovatore (Anvil Chorus)” – performed by Giuseppe Verdi
• “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien” – performed by Édith Piaf

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Babe Saves the Bull Terrier | Babe: Pig in the City

This scene is so touching! Even though the Bull Terrier chases him, Babe still saves him. Shows you how kind Babe really is, you gotta see it!

Babe is Tricked into Distracting Guard Dogs | Babe Pig in the City

Oh no! Babe gets tricked into causing a distraction, and ends up running from some very angry dogs. See how he gets out of this tricky situation, its hilarious!

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