Stuart Little (1999) - Columbia

Director : Rob Minkoff

Starring : Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie, Jonathan Lipnicki, Nathan Lane and Michael J Fox

Picture 1.85:1, DD 5.1, Dual-Layer, Keep Case

Running Time : 84 mins

The story:

The Little family just got Bigger!

Mr and Mrs Little (Geena Davis and Hugh Laurie) are looking for a little brother for their son George (Jonathon Lipnicki). They go to the local orphanage where they meet someone they like. He is smart, funny and will make the perfect addition to their family. The only problem is he's a mouse ! Stuart LIttle (Michael J Fox) becomes the newest member of the family and soon has everything he has ever wanted...including a pet cat called Snowflake (Nathan Lane) who is less than happy and hires the local Cat Mob to take out Stuart. Stuart feels something is missing from his life when suddenly his real parents come looking for him. Caught in a tug of love he must decide where his loyalties and his heart lie before it is too late.

The summary:

The first thing that really strikes you about this film is just how nice Mr and Mrs Little (Geena Davis and Hugh Laurie) really are. They are Nice with a capital N and are so sickly sweet that by the end of the film you will have your fingers right down your throat. That seems to be the trouble with this film. Despite all the wonderful CGI technology that has been employed you cannot get over the fact that the human element is just so characterless and twee.

I am not adverse to good cartoons or childrens films but where Toy Story, the Lion King, Aladdin and A Bugs Life win you over with stuff that grown ups can laugh at Stuart Little seems to be aimed totally at the kids, despite its willingness not to be. What you get is a story that will certainly keep the kids entertained but will have you lagging towards the end with its dreaded niceness. Oh sure there are a few laughs on the way, like when Snowball the cat is catapulted (Get it !) out of the window or when Stuart Little goes swimming but generally bits that keep you interested are few and far between. As I have already mentioned the CGI used in this film is absolutely marvellous and is the best yet seen on film. Stuart moves and looks like a human in mouse form and together with the stunning sound and picture this film has a strong pedigree. Its just a shame about the content which for me just tries too hard to win over both the adults and children and ultimately fails on one of those counts.

The DVD itself is another masterpiece of extras and scores very highly on this alone. There is as Stuart says "something for everyone" on the disc and I'm sure it will be your childrens favourite part of your collection for years to come......Just make sure you are out of the room a lot.

Extras:

* Stuarts' Central Park Adventure Game - One for the Kids this (although I did have a go - In the name of reviewing of course). You must guide Stuart through Central Park and other key sets of the film by answering questions about the film. Very well put together.

* Audio Commentary 1 - Director Alan Minkin and the Animation Supervisor deconstruct the film and talk us through each scene.

* Audio Conmentary 2 - Visual Effects Supervisor, John Dystra.

* Visual Effects Interactive Feature - A highly inventive and original extra. You can choose three scenes from the film and then the screen is cut into 4 sections. You can then choose to watch each part and how it fits into the scene.

* Read Along - Another good one for the children. You can read through an abridged version of the film or have Stuart Little (Michael J Fox) read it to you.

* Music Videos - Three Music videos are included : "If you can't rock me" by the Brian Setzer Orchestra, "You're Where You Belong" by Trisha Yearwood and "I Need To Know" by R Angels.

* Artists Screen Tests - All the computer generated screen tests put together computer artists to get a job working on the film.

* Deleted Scenes - 6 Deleted Scenes from the film that can be watched with or without a commentary from the director.

* Visual Effects Gag Reel - Two scenes that were put together by the computer effects team as gags. Pretty Lame. They should have watched the outtakes from "A Bugs life".

* Production Gag Reel - A 3 minute gag reel from the human actors of the film. Set to music and with the searing bleeped out its all so twee !

* Boat Race Early Concept Reel - A look at the Boat Race scenes of the film in early storyboard form. Includes commentary. 8 Minutes long.

* Isolated Music Score - Yep you guessed it. A feature that allows you to turn off those annoying actors and just listening to the calming, soothing music of the film.

* Scrapbook - 60 drawings and conceptual artwork from three areas of the film

* "Making It Big" Featurette - A 22 minute making of feature that includes interviews with all the main cast and crew and looks at the stunning computer generated effects that were used in the film.

* Talent Files - Text based look at the major players. Includes a brief biography and selected filmographies.

* TheCatrical Trailers - 6 Trailers for films that your kids may want to see : Stuart Little, The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland, Madeline, The Nuttiest Nutcracker, Baby Geniuses & Muppets from Space.

DVD-ROM Features

* Stuart Littles' Web Site - The Entire Web Site for you to tour. Very well produced website using much of Flash technology.

* Stuart Little's Big City Adventures - Demo Version for the Hasbro Interactive PC game of the film. Another for the kids.

Our Verdict...


A film that is supposedly fun for all the family but lacks the depth for adults of Toy Story or The Lion King. Stuart Little is excellent but the human cast are Twee and sometimes annoying. 6/10

This is one of the best looking DVD's that you will see. The colours are rich and crisp and the visual effects look salivatingly sharp and detailed. 9/10

Dolby Digital 5.1 that sounds superb. Ranks alongside many recent cartoon hits with its excellent use of the split rears and voice placement. Could have done with a bit more on the LFE channel. 9/10

Another recent release that has more extra's than you will know what to do with! There's stuff here to keep both kids and adults entertained. One of the very best. 10/10

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