Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
WSR Detailed DVD Review
Babe
Widescreen Special Edition
Genre: Family

Reviewed In Issue 79 (Dec 2003) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
James Cromwell & Magda Szubanski

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 3.5
DD Sound Rating: 4
DTS Sound Rating: 4
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 4.5
Internet Links
http://www.universalstudios.com/home

Special Features
Universal


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): Universal Studios Home Video
(Catalog Number): 22972
(MPAA Rating): G
(Rating Reason):

NA
(Retail Price): $19.98
(DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): No
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 92
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): No
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 1995
(Theatrical Release): Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release): No
(DVD Release Date): 09/23/03
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

 Credits Information

(Director): Chris Noonan
(Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
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(Supervising Sound Editors): Subscribe Now!
(Re-Recording Mixers): Subscribe Now!
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  DVD Picture Information

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  DVD Sound Information

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  WSR Narrative Review
Special Notes:
Also available in a 2-Pack with the sequel. Also available in a 1.33:1 (4:3) full screen edition.

Story Synopsis:
Based on the book "The Sheep-Pig," By Dick King-Smith, "Babe" is a delightful fable that is filled with fun and laughter. When Farmer Hoggett (Cromwell) wins Babe (voice by Christine Cavanaugh) in a raffle, he sees more in the little pig than just Christmas dinner. At his fairytale farm, Babe finds it difficult to stay within the order of animal life because of his admiration of his surrogate sheepdog mother. When Babe helps rescue Farmer Hoggett

DVD Picture:
Finally, "Babe" is available on DVD in widescreen format! (The title was originally released several years ago only in a modified full screen version, though the LaserDisc before that was in widescreen format.) The anamorphically enhanced 1.85:1 DVD picture tends to appear a bit dark, even in the midday scenes. While the picture can exhibit good sharpness, fine details can appear a bit soft at times. Colors are vivid and intentionally over-the-top to enhance the fairytale story. The green meadow grasses are vibrant and the sky is a bright blue. Fleshtones are quite natural. The source element is revealing of some dirt and grain. There is some edge enhancement noticed that gives objects an unnatural halo and pixelization can, at times, cause an undesirable

Soundtrack:
The 5.1 audio presentations deliver a lively, delightful listening experience through an animated, nicely recorded music score that offers supple spaciousness and envelopment. The fidelity is slightly dated in comparison to current standards for soundtrack production, but the engagement of the spatial soundfield is certainly worthy of commendation and is as good as, or better than, many of the current productions. Dialogue sounds slightly forward, and is fairly well-integrated with the visuals. The surrounds figure actively throughout, and there