Stuart Little Review
by "Ross Anthony" (kjk AT rossanthony DOT com)January 1st, 2000
"That's no mouse, that's my brother"
Stuart Little
By Ross Anthony
A stereotypical TV-50's couple adopts an orphaned mouse to muse their seven year old son much to the chagrin of local felines.
Stuart is the personification (er, ah "rat"ificaton) of the word "charm." Though the film's plot offers nothing new and the animal speak burrow's "Babe" technology; Stuart's charismatic presence is alluring.
Stuart is the action figure of our youth come alive. Every step, every bow, every smile fills us with amusement. The plot is circumstantial, secondary. All we need is to see Stuart drive a toy car, navigate a remote boat, or receive a kiss from his newly adopted mom -- and we're smiling too.
I wasn't crazy about Nathan Lane voicing Snowbell the cat, but Monty's voice-sake did great as well as did Stuart's. The kid was exceptional. Lastly, the art director created a nice cartoony feel to the entire live action backdrop.
I'm a huge lover of "Babe," but was a bit let down with "Babe II" ... if you agree with that, then "Stuart Little" is kind of like a "Babe 1.5."
Stuart Little. Copyright © 1999. Rated PG.
Starring Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie and Jonathan Upnicki.
Directed by Bob Minkoff.
Screenplay by M. Night Shyamalan and Greg Brooker.
Grade..........................B+
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Copyright © 1999 Ross Anthony, currently based in Los Angeles, has scripted and shot documentaries, music videos, and shorts in 35 countries across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. For more reviews visit:
http://RossAnthony.com
Originally posted in the rec.arts.movies.reviews newsgroup. Copyright belongs to original author unless otherwise stated. We take no responsibilities nor do we endorse the contents of this review.
