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More adventures from spunky Stuart
[Photo: Columbia Pictures]
In Stuart Little 2, the spunky mouse, voiced by Michael J. Fox, finds a friend in the bird, Margalo, voiced by Melanie Griffith. |
By PHILIP BOOTH, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published July 18, 2002
In this sequel to Stuart Little, the mouse with moxie has to deal with his mother's preoccupation with a new baby and his brother's newfound interest in a schoolmate.
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The most entertaining aspect of Stuart Little 2, a featherweight comedy starring Michael J. Fox as the voice of the cuddly title character, might be the movie's numerous sight gags.
It's a kick watching Stuart navigate his tiny, apple-red convertible around the halls of the school he attends with his flesh-and-blood big brother George (Jonathan Lipnicki). It's even more amusing seeing what happens when Stuart has to leave the car on the streets of New York after a breakdown: The vehicle, covered with graffiti and tires removed, has been placed on concrete blocks.
Stuart, a full-fledged member of a nuclear family that includes cheery Mrs. Little (Geena Davis), chipper Mr. Little (Hugh Laurie) and a suitably adorable baby girl, has a bedroom in an open-air dollhouse, sleeps in sporty pajamas, briefly plays in a boys' soccer game and takes the controls of a model airplane. It's all, well, just cute enough for its own good.
Stuart Little, a 1999 holiday hit based on the E.B. White book, scored more than $300-million at the box office worldwide, practically guaranteeing a second installment. The sequel, helmed by the same director, Rob Minkoff (The Lion King) and featuring the same core cast members, offers similar charms.
SL2 is a genial comedy, bolstered by impressive but unobtrusive digital-age visual effects (far more seamless and lifelike than those in Scooby-Doo), centered on the hard lessons learned by a kind-hearted mouse. It's near-perfect kiddy fare, not too monotonous for adults, and, at 77 minutes, it doesn't overstay its welcome.
Last time out, Stuart seemed to be doing battle with half the animal kingdom and struggling to fit in with his human caretakers. Now, he has other woes, including George's newfound interest in a schoolmate and Mrs. Little's preoccupation with the baby.
Stuart is lonely, and Gilbert O'Sullivan's Alone Again, Naturally makes an apropos appearance on the soundtrack. Just in time, a compatible stranger drops out of the sky, literally: Lost, frightened bird Margalo (Melanie Griffith, whose little-girl voice is perfect for the role) is being pursued by big bad Falcon (James Woods, instantly identifiable and also well cast). Falcon, with sharp claws and a bad attitude, is the only part of the movie that might frighten the youngest viewers.
Thus our furry friend has a new best pal and maybe more. The two embark on a sort-of romance, and Stuart takes Margalo to his version of a drive-in, parking his convertible in front of a portable television. Stuart has a mission, too. He's determined to keep his new flame from Falcon's clutches.
Margalo, however, is more complex than she appears, and Stuart's involvement with her lands the mouse in trouble. His friends, including George and Snowbell, the uppity cat voiced with Nathan Lane's usual glee, pitch in to help.
"You've got guts, spunk and moxie," Snowbell tells Stuart, admiring his bravery. Stuart Little 2 doesn't have much in the way of guts, but the movie boasts just enough spunk and moxie to make it entertaining.
Stuart Little 2
- Grade: B
- Director: Rob Minkoff
- Cast: Michael J. Fox (voice), Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie, Jonathan Lipnicki and the voices of Nathan Lane, Melanie Griffith, James Woods, Steve Zahn.
- Screenplay: Bruce Joel Rubin, Douglas Wick
- Rating: PG
- Running time: 77 minutes
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