 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Stuart Little
- PG
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1999
Common Sense Media says
A terrific family movie based on a terrific book.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to 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.
What's the story?
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 and doesn't see how Stuart will ever be able to play with him. And maybe he is a little more jealous than he was expecting. The Little's cat, Snowbell (hilariously voiced by Nathan Lane), is furious and plots to get rid of Stuart. Stuart manages to surmount enormous obstacles. He even wins over George, after proving his courage and loyalty in a boat race. But he still wonders about his birth parents. Stuart faces the biggest decision of his life when two mice show up claiming to be his birth parents.
Is it any good?
E.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.
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.
What families can talk about
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.
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
PG due to language
Use of the word D--n at least 6 or 7 times, referring to a female as a "broad, " using the term, "h--l of, " and saying, "what the h--l!" When i read a review of this movie, i thought that it would be alright to show based on the comment. I've included the unsuitable language used for 5 year olds so that you can make a well informed decision without having to rent it for yourself.
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AGE
there is no swears
I don't know what their talking about their is no swears in this movie.
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AGE
Not like the book.
I asked my kids what they thought about the movie. My six year old was disappointed that it had very little to do with the book (which we loved). My ten year old said that the cats would be a little scary to little kids under age 7. The movie was sort of good, she thought.
Personally, I didn't like the mean kid aspect during the boat race (bullying), nor did I appreciate the whole kidnapping theme.
I'm not a big fan of movies for kids, so take this review with a grain of salt if you love kids' movies. I would have given it two stars, but I love to hear and/or see Michael J. Fox (I was a teen in the 80s), who was Stuart in this movie.
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AGE
a lemon all the way around
I thought this movie was awful. There were too many hells and damns and talk of 'scratching out' the main character for a young audience; and certainly it was too tedious and boring for older viewers. I watched it with my 4 yr old who thankfully didn't get what 'scratch him out' meant but she did get the underlying nasty tone of the movie. The cat, Snowball, at one point tells Stuart to 'talk to the butt.' I cringed when that came out hoping my daughter wasn't going to catch that and repeat it (which she didn't, whew!). This is not a film I would comfortably recommend for children 8 and under. Frankly I won't recommend it for anyone, it just isn't good.
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AGE
Classic and heartwarming!
This movie is a great family film. Kids will love Stuart.
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AGE
a great movie for young and old
this movie is very good! Kids 5 and up will love it! Even adults may find themselves liking it.
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AGE
just as good as the book
Viewers that have read the book might have noticed that the movie's events are only in half of the book.An instant classic!!
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AGE
A worthwhile family movie, but beware of language!!
Overall my children enjoyed this movie. The main theme of family and acceptance was good, and the animation was well done. However, I was a bit surprised by some of the language. Several "hells" and a "D**n" were quite obvious and didn't need to be a part of the dialogue. Had I known they were in there I'm not so sure I would have shown it to my children (ages 3-5 1/2). Some of the scenes were a bit upsetting to my 4 yr old, but with reassurance he was fine.
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AGE
perfect for kids 7 and up
Excellent movie- great for kids
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| Topics: | book characters |
| Studio: | Columbia Tristar |
| Director: | Rob Minkoff |
| Cast: | Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie, Michael J. Fox |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 84 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | December 17, 1999 |
| DVD release date: | May 21, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | language and tension |
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