Babe, Pig in the City

Updated June 26, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

With sinister undertones, plot twists based on drug-smuggling and urban malaise, and a lead role performed by a delightfully animated pig, Babe, Pig in the City occupies an odd demographic. The movie opens with the porker of the title turning Farmer Hoggett (Cromwell) into a quadriplegic in a freak farming accident. Misplaced drug charges ensue, and before you can say “oink,” adorable Babe (voice of Daily) is running amok in a grand metropolis, using his pig smarts to stay alive and repair the avalanche of damage sparked by Hoggett's misfortune. The strength of the first Babe movie lay in its mutual accessibility: parents could enjoy the savvy wit, while children could marvel at the relaxed, enjoyable tale. Babe, Pig in the City maintains the same impressive level of special effects, but this time around, the dark tale may be inappropriate for young children, and off-putting to adults who prefer their social commentary in a more serious format.