Babe: Pig in the City

Making the original "Babe" was a risky move that paid off. But the disappointing sequel, "Babe: Pig in the City," demonstrates that trying to repeat the formula was a risk not worth taking.

It was a troubled production to begin with. The first cut of the film, which clocked in just short of two hours, received a PG-13 rating and negative reactions in test screenings. And the final prints just barely got to theaters in time for its opening date.

And frankly, the result looks like a rush job. Worse, this "Babe" is surprisingly dark, and even depressing in places. It appears that whole scenes have been cut out (which is quite likely, since the movie is now 95 minutes).

The film picks up the story after the ending of "Babe," with a triumphant homecoming for everyone's favorite sheep-pig (now voiced by "Rugrats" performer E.G. Daily).

But the celebration is short-lived. First, Farmer Hoggett (James Cromwell) is injured when he falls down a well, and in a case of bad timing, the bank forecloses on the family farm.

So Mrs. Hoggett (Magda Szubanski) heads to the city to try to save the farm, only to be arrested after a series of mishaps. Meanwhile, the precocious swine has to save his new friends, stray animals in danger of becoming test subjects.

Director George Miller, who produced the first movie, strays too far into subject matter that may be frightening for very young ones. And the whole thing is poorly paced — the story positively crawls as it goes from Point A to Point B, but it leaps to Point Z in a blur.

Admittedly, the talking-animal gimmick is still amusing, the animals themselves are cute and there are a couple of worthwhile jokes — so it's not a complete loss.

"Babe: Pig in the City" is rated G, but does contain some slapstick violence, as well as glimpses of women in skimpy swimsuits and a couple of mildly vulgar gags.