If you want great cinema (or at least an attempt at great cinema) go see Road to Perdition. If you have kids under the age of 12 and want them to enjoy meaningful entertainment, go see Stuart Little 2. No, it’s not Oscar-worthy material like Shrek, but it is a sweet, charming film that reunites our other favorite mouse with his picture perfect family.
Several years have passed since Stuart was adopted by the Littles. At the beginning of the film, life appears good - George (played by the adorable, never-seems-to-get-older, Jonathan Lipnicki) and Stuart (voiced by Michael J. Fox) share a bunk bed surrounded by gadgets, toys, and a lot of love. Eleanor and Frederick Little (Geena Davis and Hugh Laurie) continue to be doting parents to George, Stuart, and their newest addition, a toddler named Martha (Anna and Ashley Hoelck).
Stuart and George are looking forward to their first soccer game. Yes, I know what you’re thinking - how’s a minuscule mouse going to play soccer? Eleanor Little wonders the same thing and is not at all upset when Stuart is only allowed 40 seconds of playing time. However, Stuart is disappointed. To make matters worse, the novelty of having a mouse for a brother has worn off; George ignores Stuart and opts to spend time with his own pals. This, of course, is fine with Eleanor Little who decides she wants Stuart to paint and dance for fun rather than play rough and tumble games with George and his buddies. Suddenly, Stuart is dealing with the same dilemmas that face thousands of other kids: an over protective mom and middle child syndrome.
After a heart-to-heart chat with his Dad, Stuart decides he needs to find the “silver lining” and perhaps use the situation as an opportunity to make his own friends. Enter Margalo (voiced by Melanie Griffith) a sweet little bird with a wounded wing whom Stuart meets as he cruises the sidewalk in his red sports car. Margalo is down on her luck and is hiding from a shady falcon (voiced by James Woods). The Littles take her in and Stuart has a new best friend. However, is Margalo a true friend or is she conspiring with Falcon? Hmm, there’s always a snag for Stuart.
The other star of the original Stuart Little, the prima donna Persian house-cat named Snowbell (voiced by Nathan Lane), continues to make wisecracks at a breakneck pace that will keep Moms and Dads as entertained as their wee ones. Although I am an official “cat person,” I must admit that Nathan Lane’s interpretation of feline attitude is accurate and amusing (just don’t tell my kitty I said this). Melanie Griffith’s child-like voice (one that often annoys me when she plays a human being) helps bring Margalo to life. Of course, the animation doesn’t hurt - it’s as good as the first, if not better. We all suspect what our cats are thinking at times, but to see their delicate pink lips mouth the words is a delight to watch.
Stuart Little 2 is full of simple but important lessons: why you shouldn’t lie, why you shouldn’t steal, what you should and shouldn’t do for a friend. The film isn’t as dark as the original (M. Night Shyamalan, the same guy who brought us The Sixth Sense, wrote the first flick) thanks to screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin. Music is featured more prominently in this follow-up film as well - don’t be surprised if the kids ask you to pick up the soundtrack or if you decide to pick it up on your own.
Stuart Little 2 lives up to the hype and you shouldn’t have to worry about the children having nightmares. Yes, it is simple and tame on many levels, but I suspect you’ll enjoy taking a break from the heat with a film that you and your kids can enjoy together. Just the way Stuart and the Littles intended it to be.
E.T. Robbins is a freelance writer living in Boston, where she worked for a time at a local newspaper and at a local radio station.
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