Babe: Pig in the City (1998)

Babe: Pig in the City is not nearly as heartwarming as its predecessor, Babe, but it does trade well on some of the existing characters and quirky production touches. Our story begins as the aptly named Esme Hoggett (Magda Szubanski), wife of farmer Arthur Hoggett (James Cromwell, who appears briefly), travels with Babe to "the city" in order to "save the farm." Esme finds that animals are not welcome but she locates a sympathetic boarding-house owner (Mary Stein) in a scene that reminds me a lot of Shelley Duval as Olive Oyl in Popeye. The house is full of animals -- and melancholy -- and so Babe steps in to save the day (and Mickey Rooney!). It won't be easy esp. after the authorities raid the house for a stock of lab-test animals but the chase scenes are fairly maudlin (think Keystone Cops or Toy Story). Here's the deal: If you and your family love animals, see this movie; the animals rule the roost in the end. Alternatively, if you loved Babe, see this movie even though it's not as perfect -- but then, how could it be? 4 stars. (5-12-2010, posted 3-4-2016)