Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Stuart Little 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

More of the same, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman July 16, 2011

Every cloud has a silver lining.

Sequel-itis strikes once again, this time setting its devious sites on the family-friendly Stuart Little, a 1999 special effects extravaganza that paints with a broad brush and espouses sweeping themes and generalized moral content within the confines of its picturesque happily-ever-after celluloid body. Stuart Little 2 is more or less more of the same. Director Rob Minkoff once again settles in behind the camera and delivers a well-made digital/live action hybrid spectacle that, like its predecessor, employs those same broad brushstrokes and paints an easy-on-the-eyes picture that tugs on the heartstrings and reinforces a few valuable lessons along the way. The sequel isn't quite as blatantly manipulative as the original and it enjoys a bit more animated action, but it's still the ultimate in smiling, wide-eyed, well-intentioned family cinema. Chances are those who liked the first will enjoy this one. It's playful enough for the kids and put together just well enough to keep the adults interested, too.

How cute...a mouse with a projectile weapon.

All is well in the Little household. A new baby -- this one a human girl -- has just been added to the family tree. Mother Eleanor (Geena Davis) and father Frederick (Hugh Laurie) are still bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and madly in love, and their human son George (Jonathan Lipnicki) and adopted talking mouse son Stuart (voiced by Michael J. Fox) are getting along quite well as makeshift brothers. However, Eleanor has taken to fearing for Stuart in everything he does. She disapproves of him galavanting around in a toy airplane, and she's downright terrified when the coach finally calls his name to play in a Saturday youth soccer match. Unfortunately, her worries are taking a toll on Stuart's mental well-being. He's not sure he has what it takes to be either a good son or a proud Little. To make matters worse, he's having trouble finding friends of his own; George has a new human playmate and family cat Snowbell (voiced by Nathan Lane) is little more than a tolerant companion. Stuart's life suddenly changes when a bird named Margalo (Melanie Griffith) literally drops into the passenger side seat of his miniaturized convertible. All seems right with the world until an evil falcon (voiced by James Woods) crashes the party. Now, Stuart must take it upon himself to rescue Margalo an retrieve a valuable family heirloom, all without getting himself hurt and worrying his mother to death.

Indeed, while the specifics of the plot might be a bit different, there's very little that sets apart the second Stuart Little film from the first in terms of its thematic relevance and ability to speak to kids about some of life's most basic but critical lessons. The movie is Fairy Tale easy where several problems -- a lack of self-confidence, lying, acting without thinking a problem through or consulting a parent -- ultimately yield a singular large crisis that puts everyone on edge and Stuart in grave danger. Of course it's going to turn out as if in a fantasy world with everyone safe and sound and lessons clearly learned at the end of the day. It's grossly unoriginal but that doesn't lessen its impact. Hopefully younger viewers will take at least something good out of it at the end of the day. Besides, in a world of almost all bad news all the time, it's comforting to know that there's still something out there that's as wholesome as this, reminding even the most jaded of viewers that, just maybe, there really is a silver lining in every cloud, that good things can happen to good people (and mice!) who learn from their mistakes and take comfort in the strengths of family and the bonds of friendship.

From a more technical perspective, there's plenty to love about Stuart Little. The filmmakers prove quite the imaginative bunch in the way they showcase Stuart's living conditions and how he gets around and goes about his business as a full-time brother, student, soccer player, adventurer, and hero. They've created an entire little universe that magically fits in amongst the lives of the various humans in Stuart's life, whether at home, school, or in the concrete jungle of New York City. The character is seamlessly integrated into every environment, whether in his bunk bed bedroom or soaking in a ballgame from a people-sized seat at Yankee Stadium. The special effects are even better than before, with even greater detailing, flow, and total immersion for the animated characters in the real-world environments. If for no other reason, Stuart Little 2 -- like its predecessor -- is well worth watching if only to marvel at the quality of the visual effects. The voice acting is once again a strength; Michael J. Fox again proves to be the absolute right choice to bring Stuart to vocal life, while Nathan Lane and series newcomers James Woods and Melanie Griffith rounding out a strong behind-the-microphone group of actors.

Stuart Little 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Stuart Little 2's 1080p transfer is almost blindingly colorful by design. The filmmakers have ensured that just about every color conceivable makes an appearance in the film, and Sony's Blu-ray transfer reveals every one of them like a champion. The screen is regularly doused in any number of bright, vivid hues, whether as seen on clothing, wall paint, or trim. None appear either dim or too hot, each nicely balanced and putting the HD display's color fidelity to the ultimate test. Flesh tones do look a bit pasty for whatever reason, but blacks are rock-solid when they make scant appearances in the film. Fine detailing is just as exceptional; not only do the digital characters look fresh off the hard drive, but the transfer reveals the finest little details in wooden accents and human and mouse clothing. Clarity is impeccable and sharpness is constant, with both particularly critical in aiding many of long-distance New York City shots that appear throughout the film. There are no perceptible compression or digital errors or manipulations to be found, and a light layer of grain rounds another eye-popping transfer from Sony into shipshape form.

Stuart Little 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Stuart Little 2's sound design gives Sony's DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack a bit more to work with when compared head-to-head against the music- and dialogue-heavy original. Certainly, music is robust and flawlessly presented throughout this venture, too; the film opens with a spacious and energized tune that features a repeating thump-thump-thump around the low end that's reliably accurate and strong. Music, both popular and orchestral, enjoys that same quality throughout, exuding plenty of clarity and vigor with a fair helping of surround support. In this film, there's much more opportunity for the soundtrack to show off its capabilities. Plenty of high-energy and on-the-move sound effects are seamlessly integrated as a prop plane zips around the stage with the engine's heavy rumble in tow, moving from one speaker to the next in more than one sequence. The track also carries some more evident ambience and delivers several other dynamic and intense audio effects to energize the movie and compliment the high-flying action. Rounded into shape by faultless dialogue reproduction, Sony's lossless soundtrack proves its worth with every challenge thrown its way.

Stuart Little 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Stuart Little 2, like its predecessor, arrives on Blu-ray with an enormous amount of extra content that primarily focuses on the film's digital effects.

• The Big Bad Boat Game: This three-level game challenges players to help Stuart navigate through various obstacles on his way to winning the Central Park Boat Race.
• Audio Commentary: Director Rob Minkoff and Senior Visual Effects Supervisor Jerome Chen jump straight into discussing the film's digital manipulations and computer-generated effects and characters. The track remains primarily focused on such things, but there is a smattering of on-set anecdotes, discussions on shooting in New York, praise for the work of the cast, and more. As with the director track from the first film, this one is best enjoyed by listeners interested in learning about the world of digital and live action filmmaking.
• Costuming Stuart Little (480p, 2:53): Costume Designer Mona May shares her thoughts on Stuart's various outfits as seen in the movie.
• Casting Snowbell (480p, 1:44): Animal Trainer Boone Narr discusses the challenges of working with live felines in a movie.
• The Look of Stuart Little 2 (480p, 2:32): Director Rob Minkoff, Producer Doug Wick, Director of Photography Steven Poster, and Production Designer Bill Brzeski discuss creating a timeless New York frame in which the movie takes place.
• Map of Central Park (480p, 0:50): An animated overview of various New York locations seen in the film.
• Street Chase (480p, 2:05): Director of Photography Steven Poster and Supervising Modler Kevin Hudson discuss the practical and digital effects that went into the making of Stuart's car and its involvement in a critical chase scene.
• Meet Margalo (480p, 2:26): Producer Lucy Fisher, Producer Doug Wick, Director Rob Minkoff, Senior Technical Director Rob Engle, Animation Supervisor Tony Bancroft, and Animation Supervisor Eric Armostrong discuss creating and implementing the Margalo character into the film.
• Voiceover Session with Melanie (480p, 2:07): Actress Melanie Griffith discusses the process of voicing Margalo.
• Falcon Casting (480p, 1:27): The film's digital falcon discusses his "landing" the role in the movie.
• Marshmallow Juggling (480p, 1:10): Animator Kenn McDonald speaks on how his own interest in juggling helped him create the film's juggling scene in the digital realm.
• Now Playing: Vertigo (480p, 1:01): Director Rob Minkoff speaks on the reason for using a clip from Vertigo in the film.
• Cat & Mouse (480p, 1:24): Actress Geena Davis, Actor Hugh Laurie, and Producer Lucy Fisher discuss the Stuart-Snowbell relationship.
• Nathan Lane Recording Session (480p, 1:33): Director Rob Minkoff and Actor Hugh Laurie speak on working with Nathan Lane over great distances.
• Inside the Falcon's Lair (480p, 1:03): Executive Producer Jason Clark and Production Designer Bill Brzeski cover the design and construction of one of the film's crucial set pieces.
• Garbage Barge (480p, 1:35): Producer Doug Wick and Lead Animator Todd Wilderman share the secrets of making yet another of the film's digital scenes.
• Matte Paintings (480p, 1:29): Matte Department Supervisor Ivo Horvat speaks on the critical role of mattes in the film.
• Spydercam Shot Progression (480p, 1:19): A short piece that focuses on the advanced camera used to create some of the film's aerial shots.
• Creating Wind on Feathers (1080p, 2:01): Visual Effects Supervisor Jay Redd, Lead Animator Paul Jessel, Senior Technical Director Rob Engle, Feather Technical Directors Cherie Rye and Chris Yee, and Computer Graphics Supervisor Thomas Hollier discuss the demanding work of ensuring that creature feathers move as naturally in the digital world as they do in real life.
• Wanted: Animators of Tomorrow (480p, 1:57): Animation Supervisor Tony Bancroft, Director Rob Minkoff, Lead Animator Todd Wilderman, Animation Supervisor Eric Armstrong, Computer Graphics Supervisor Clara Chen, and Storyboard Artist Adolfo Perez share their thoughts on what it takes to become a digital artist.
• A Touch of Evil (480p, 7:18): A focused piece that looks at the entire process of creating the villainous falcon, from voice casting to the animating process.
• Life in the Fast Lane (1080p, 2:05): A rapid-fire piece that looks at the necessary basics in making a digital/live action hybrid movie.
• Soaring (480p, 24:22): Cast and crew discuss the process of making an original sequel that tells a new story but returns the same characters without overshadowing the original. The piece also contains a good deal of technical jargon that further fleshes out the filmmakers's secrets.
• HBO Making-Of Special (480p, 23:39): A general promotional overview of the film featuring cast and crew interviews, numerous clips from the film, and many behind-the-scenes segments.
• Read-Along: Stuart Little's Big Adventures (480p): Read-Along with Narration (3:33) and Read Together with Your Family, Without Narration (3:33).
• Music Video (480p, 3:40): I'm Alive by Celine Dion.
• Previews: Additional Sony titles.
• BD-Live.
• DVD Copy.

Stuart Little 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Stuart Little 2 earns passing marks as both an adequate sequel and family-friendly fare. Aside from enhanced special effects and a somewhat larger scope and feel, there's little differentiating this sequel from its predecessor, particularly from emotional and thematic perspectives. It's not quite as blatantly manipulative as the first, but this is still a broad feel-good story of overcoming the odds and learning the importance of family, friends, respect, and honesty. Not bad for a tiny little mouse and an almost equally short film. Sony's Blu-ray release of Stuart Little 2 features a strong technical presentation and an overload of compact featurettes. Recommended.