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Babe: Pig in the City (1998)
Director: George Miller
Studio: Universal
Budget: $90M
US gross: $18.3M
“But fate turns on a moment, dear ones, and the pig was about to learn the meaning of those two cruel words of regret: ‘if only’…”
–Roscoe Lee Browne as the Narrator
Farmer Hoggett (James Cromwell) gets injured early on in Babe: Pig in the City, in a shocking scene that sets the tone for the film. This sequel to the beloved Babe (1995) takes a darker turn, with director George Miller adding his signature style to the story. Despite being a continuation of the first film, Babe: Pig in the City is a departure from its predecessor, exploring themes of mortality and happenstance.
Audiences were surprised by the film’s darker tone, with many viewers not expecting the bleak and introspective narrative. Despite its unique approach, the film failed to attract a large audience, leading to poor box office performance. Universal, the studio behind the film, took a risk by investing heavily in the sequel, but the end result was a divisive and polarizing film that struggled to find its audience.
The production of Babe: Pig in the City was a challenging endeavor, with a large cast of animals and complex set designs. Director George Miller pushed the boundaries of what a family film could be, creating a visually stunning and emotionally complex work that defied expectations. Despite its commercial failure, Babe: Pig in the City remains a bold and innovative film that continues to divide audiences to this day. The article tells the story of Babe, a pig who finds himself stranded in a big city boarding house with his owners, Arthur and Esme Hoggett. Esme comes up with a plan to save their farm from foreclosure by taking Babe with her, but the plan goes awry when a sniffer dog at the airport causes trouble and Esme ends up in jail after a humiliating strip search. Babe is left in the care of Miss Floom, a kind-hearted landlady, in a city filled with various landmarks from around the world.
The film, directed by George Miller, features a cast of memorable characters including a homeless pink poodle, a family of chimps, and Miss Floom’s Uncle Fugly. The film delves into dark and disturbing themes, with scenes that were cut from the final version due to their intensity. The original script included darker storylines such as Farmer Hoggett’s death and a murder plot involving Esme and Miss Floom.
Despite the dark undertones of the film, there are moments of humor and heartwarming interactions between the characters. Babe’s journey through the city is filled with challenges and dangers, but ultimately, he finds his way back to the farm with the help of his friends. The film’s portrayal of urban life and the struggles of its characters is both engaging and thought-provoking. The goldfish in the film was depicted as flapping and helpless, with moments that were harrowing, such as the drowning of the dog which was shot using an animatronic puppet. Before Flealick goes to heaven, his overturned chair squeaks out a few rotations, symbolizing life’s brief candle sputtering out. The film’s middle act was seen as an immigration parable, with excluded and outcast characters finding shelter in a less than utopian sanctuary.
The film had to undergo several recuts to make it more family-friendly, with a Gestapo-like raid scene being toned down. Despite these efforts, the film faced challenges with its sound mix and had to be reworked, causing delays in its release schedule. The film finally received a G rating, but the issues surrounding its production and release were widely reported, leading to doubts about its success.
The film’s release coincided with tough competition from other movies, including Pixar’s « A Bug’s Life » and Paramount’s « The Rugrats Movie. » Despite efforts to promote the film, it performed poorly at the box office, leading to significant consequences for the studio executives involved in its production.
Ultimately, « Pig in the City » failed to resonate with audiences, who were put off by reports of its darker tone and lofty ambitions. Director George Miller faced setbacks in his career following the film’s release, with planned projects being canceled or underperforming. Sequels to the film also failed to capture the same success, leading to further challenges for Miller in the realm of family entertainment.
The film’s failure had a lasting impact on Miller’s career, with subsequent projects facing similar struggles to connect with audiences. Despite his clear vision for projects like « Mad Max: Fury Road, » Miller’s work continued to face challenges, with some projects being seen as passion projects that ultimately did not resonate with audiences. Même si Fury Road a fini par coûter tellement cher qu’il a à peine atteint l’équilibre financier, il s’est imposé comme le blockbuster d’action de la décennie, et le culte des fans a largement compensé. Miller continue d’avancer, poursuivant avec courage sa propre voie. Il me rappelle moins Babe que le bull terrier intimidant, qui admet ouvertement : « Une ombre meurtrière plane lourdement sur mon âme. » Vous pouvez compatir avec les exécutifs qui signent de tels chèques en blanc imprudents, mais quand les films décollent – et brûlent – comme celui-ci, il n’y a presque aucun budget que je voudrais lui refuser.
La détermination de Miller
La victoire de Fury Road
Une cinématographie audacieuse
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Extrait de Box Office Poison: L’histoire d’Hollywood à travers un siècle de flops par Tim Robey. Droits d’auteur © 2024. Utilisé avec permission par Hanover Square Press, une empreinte de HarperCollins Publishers.
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