Another poor adaptation that doesn't know where to take liberty and where not to take it. The movie obviously looked to Babe for inspiration, and it goes so far as to emulate angles, lighting and art direction. Unfortunately, the movie retains the sa... (read more) Another poor adaptation that doesn't know where to take liberty and where not to take it. The movie obviously looked to Babe for inspiration, and it goes so far as to emulate angles, lighting and art direction. Unfortunately, the movie retains the same tone, which is dreadfully mismatched. This film also suffers from poor narrative structure due to the sorry lack of development. This is also a clear case of a movie telling rather than showing. We need a better adaptation of this wonderful book! Thanks a bunch Hallmark.

George Orwell's over-hyped satire on the Russian Revolution is performed by live animals - or in most cases, very fake-looking animatronics. The plot of animals taking over a farm only to continue being oppressed is mangled and ill-explained as the ... (read more) George Orwell's over-hyped satire on the Russian Revolution is performed by live animals - or in most cases, very fake-looking animatronics. The plot of animals taking over a farm only to continue being oppressed is mangled and ill-explained as the makers find it difficult to get the action across using real animals and puppets. Too much time is spent on the set up, having to rush through the remaining the-pigs-take-over plot as if it is a side-note rather than the point. The added happy ending is wasted, simply messing up the finale, rather than adding to it.

The only positive is Snowball the nice pig, representing Trotsky, humorously voiced by Kelsey Grammar.

The patronising narration by Jessie the dog is done as if this is a children's film - indeed the version I watched was on a DVD of children's films - but it is not suitable for children. It is a gruelling, cruel and depressing horror story.

A poor adaptation with wasted visuals that will leave you at best irritated and patronised, at worst shattered and hollow inside.

This was fairly close to the original book. It was so sad and at the same time touching. They tacked on a happy ending, which wasn't in the book, but when the characters are so animated like in this movie, you can't help but smile at the ending.

Not as inspiring as the animated version (due to animals in a political commentary being voiced by Frasier Crane and Elaine Benis), but it's still beautiful to look at.

These good reviews? Unacceptable. For anyone that has read the book, loved the book, saw so much wisdom in how well Orwell understood people and authority, this film was an atrocity on that. They got a few scenes right, but they completely betrayed t... (read more) These good reviews? Unacceptable. For anyone that has read the book, loved the book, saw so much wisdom in how well Orwell understood people and authority, this film was an atrocity on that. They got a few scenes right, but they completely betrayed the original vision of the story and what it meant and they changed the ending! Changed the ending?--ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!! Easily one of the most brilliant endings to any narrative piece of art of all time and you have the nerve to CHANGE IT??!!

Sorry. No dice. You get the whole star instead of half of one for the effort in doing it live action. I want to give another star just for the great choices in the voice work, but I've confiscated that star in light of the fact that you have defecated all over Orwell's message. The studio and film makers should be ashamed.

Waste of time (like most of adaptations of school obligatory readings anyway), simple allegory simplified even more. Another film for lazy kids who don't bother to read.

Must watch after you read the book. See the differences, but in the end, the pigs still reign supreme...until you hit it with a frying and eat its bacon.

It's not bad, and not as dumbed down as it could have been, but it often well and truly misses the point of Orwell's book.

As much as I don't like giving anything five stars, this was very well done. It's an older movie based on the George Orwell 1945 book of the same title. When we picked this up I hesitated because it was going to involve talking animals and I thought... (read more) As much as I don't like giving anything five stars, this was very well done. It's an older movie based on the George Orwell 1945 book of the same title. When we picked this up I hesitated because it was going to involve talking animals and I thought that could be really childish, but I was wrong. The movie was great with superb actors and outstanding videography. The symbolism of the movie and book is as interesting as it was during the Soviet Union's grand days. The movie actually tacks on a surprise ending that I thought added to the "lessons learned". This is a good one to buy, but purchase the book first.