Movie Review: Stuart Little
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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this movie is rated PG for brief
mild language and scenes of peril. At one point the adopted
Stuart thinks his new parents don't want him. Adoptive and
foster families may want to think carefully about whether the
themes will be upsetting or reassuring to their children.
Families can talk about what makes people feel that they "fit in," about jealousy, and the way it makes us think that hurting others will help us feel better (but it doesn't), and the importance of Mr. Little's advice about trying -- and George's success in reminding him about it at the right moment.
Common Sense Media ReviewE.B. White
's story of a family whose son happens to be a mouse is lovingly Hollywood-ized. In other words, it bears very little relationship to the book but has a lot of great special effects. Fans of the book will do well to stay at home and re-read it, but families looking for some good action scenes, appealing characters, and a wise-cracking cat will enjoy it very much.
Mr. and Mrs. Little ( Hugh Laurie and Geena Davis) drop son George ( Jonathan Lipnicki) off at school on their way to the orphanage to adopt a child. They fall in love with Stuart (voice of Michael J. Fox), who is charming, insightful, unselfish -- and a mouse. Despite warnings against "inter-species" adoption, they bring him home.
George is disappointed. He does not see how Stuart will ever be able to play with him. And maybe he is a little more jealous than he was expecting. He insists, "He's not my brother -- he's a mouse!"
But that is nothing compared to the ferocious resentment of another member of the Little family -- Snowbell the cat. Snowbell (hilariously voiced by Nathan Lane) is furious at being told that "we don't eat family members," and humiliated at having a mouse as "an owner." He plots to get rid of Stuart.
Stuart manages to surmount the literally enormous obstacles of a world way out of proportion. He even wins over George, after he demonstrates his courage and loyalty in a boat race in Central Park. But he still feels an emptiness inside, and wonders about his birth parents. Then two mice show up claiming to be his birth parents. Stuart realizes that the Littles are his real family. "You don't have to look alike. You don't even have to like each other." Your family are the people who stick with you. His home is where they are.
This is a terrific family movie. Stuart, created entirely through computer graphics, is perfectly integrated into the live action. And I do mean action -- the boat race and chase sequences are pretty exciting. The script by M. Night Shyamalan does not talk down to kids and has some genuine insights about sibling rivalry, the fear of failure, and family.
Families who enjoy this movie will also enjoy another movie based on a book by E.B. White, Charlotte's Web as well as the sequel Stuart Little 2 .
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
