Babe: Pig in the City (1998): George Miller's Too-Dark Sequel

Did Babe: Pig in the City go too far, or did audiences miss the message?A kid's movie for parents who think chainsaws are a toy -- ok, not quite -- Babe: Pig in the City confused audiences.After the feel-good vibes of the original, kids and parents were ready for a sequel.But what they got was shocking.Profoundly darker than the original feel-good 7-time Oscar Nominee, Babe: Pig in the City didn't make back its budget, hitting close to $70 million of that $90 million spent to make it.But with time, it has slowly found a new fanbase: those that can appreciate its ridiculous artistry.Directed by George Miller (Mad Max), Babe: Pig in the City is flat-out gorgeous in its use of color. Its shot compositions will floor you at times, and its grown-up themes can resonate.But did it go too far?This podcast explores the darkness of the film, its comedy shortcomings, and setting triumphs.Directed by George Miller. Starring: Magda Szubanski, James Cromwell, Mickey Rooney, E.G. Daily, Mary SteinConnect with us on Bluesky:@not-ni-theaters.bsky.socialAnd to read more of Will's writing or check out more podcast episodes, you can visit him at: willturntale.com