Stuart Little 2

 Review

Common Sense Media says

A sweet family movie with excellent voice talent.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this family comedy is a combination of computer animation and live action. The fact that some of the animated creatures seem very real (particularly a predatory falcon) heightens the intensity and may frighten the youngest kids. Stuart Little, the mouse hero of the movie, his bird friend Margalo, and Snowball the cat are often in jeopardy (multiple falls, chases, captures, threats), though no one is seriously injured except the villain whose evil behavior results in a very violent, yet still cartoonish, demise. There are a few instances of mild potty language ("poop," "tinky"). A film clip from Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo contains the only romantic scene, with a long, passionate kiss.

  • Meant primarily to entertain and rich with positive messages, the film also includes wonderful visuals of New York City with its landmarks, its beauty, and its diversity.  
  • Filled with life lessons: "You can look at any situation -- no matter how bleak -- and still see a silver lining"; "Life is an adventure"; and "You’re as big as you feel." The film also delivers relevant, in-depth messages about lying, about breaking promises, and the conflicts that often accompany both.
  • With parents that are generous, honorable, loving, steadfast, and trusting, Stuart has developed strong values. He has an open heart, a resilient spirit, and a contagious enthusiasm for life. Other than an evil falcon, each character who makes a mistake learns a valuable lesson and is forgiven. George has an African-American best friend. Two stereotypes appear briefly: an Indian cab driver and the owner of a Chinese restaurant.  
  • Filled with pratfalls, heart-racing cartoon suspense and comic violence. Incidents include: a wild runaway toy plane with Stuart at the wheel; Stuart precariously lowered into a dark sink drain; Snowball the Cat thrown into a dumpster and later falling from a rooftop. The predatory falcon causes no end of mayhem: chasing the smaller, more vulnerable animals, grabbing them with his sharp talons, swooping and threatening the female bird in numerous scenes. He meets a ghastly end, smashing through glass, careening into a plane and falling to what must be certain death.   
  • A film clip from Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo shows a man and woman sharing a lengthy passionate kiss.  
  • Very mild potty language in a few scenes: "poop," "tinky."  
  • Handi-Wipes (in dialogue), Bell Atlantic, Mobil Oil, Purdy Painting Tools.  

What's the story?

STUART LITTLE 2 takes place where the last one left off, with Stuart (voiced by Michael J. Fox) living in New York with his parents (Hugh Laurie and Geena Davis), big brother George (Jonathan Lipnicki) and a new baby sister. The lives of the Little family are already somewhat tumultuous, with the new baby, George making new friends, and Mrs. Little loving but a bit overprotective. Stuart meets a lovely little bird named Margalo (voiced by Melanie Griffith) with an injured wing, and he takes her into his home. They become close, but she's not who she makes herself out to be and although she cares very much about Stuart and his family she must leave unexpectedly. Stuart doesn't understand and enlists the Littles' grumpy cat Snowbell (Nathan Lane) to help him find her. In the meantime, George covers up for Stuart by lying to his parents, and Stuart and Snowbell encounter many obstacles on their journey, but it all works out in the end.


Is it any good?

 

STUART LITTLE 2 is a sweet family movie with excellent voice talent and special effects. The story, a very watered down version of the second half of the classic book, is nothing to write home about, but it's a safe bet that fans of the first one will enjoy it.

The meticulous computer animation is still something to marvel at, with all the animated animals being realistic down to the last hair and feather. Also, Steve Zahn shines in a small role, and whoever cast James Woods as the villainous Falcon must've seen Disney's Hercules and realized that nobody can beat him as a bad guy.


Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • Families can talk about if it's OK to lie to keep a promise, especially if the promise is particularly dangerous.

  • What do you think it would be like to be a small animal in the big city?


This review of Stuart Little 2 was written by
Teen, 13 years old
April 23, 2009
 
Clean movie
Since I'm 13, I don't really enjoy movies like these, but when I was younger, I did like this movie. There's nothing to worry about. No language, nothing. Stuart does meet a bird named Margolo and they sort of like each other, but nothing else. Perfectly clean. Kids five and up will enjoy this.

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Kid, 10 years old
June 29, 2009
 
It's awesome
What other families should know:

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Good Kids Movie
The original was better, but this is a great kids movie.

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Teen, 13 years old
April 9, 2008
 
good stuff
only thing is light violence and is somewhat similar to other movies.

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Teen, 14 years old
February 4, 2009
 
Bad sequel!
As usual, the sequel is not as good. The plot is worse! I think that the producers didn't think when they made this film.

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Kid, 9 years old
August 9, 2011
 
The owl looks kinda creepy.
The owl looks kinda creepy. The cute little chick is almost trapped. And of course Stewie is whacked into a football net.
What other families should know:

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Kid, 8 years old
December 28, 2011
 
just watch the stupid movie
What other families should know:

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Kid, 12 years old
December 12, 2009
 
a dissapointment from this little mouse.
i loved the first movie a lot but the second movie was huge dissapointment. It was boring and a little more intense then the first one. And unlike the first one older kids wont like it and neather will adults. Just for young kids.
What other families should know:

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Kid, 12 years old
June 3, 2009
 
cool movie
cool movie older kids will not like this movie

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This review of Stuart Little 2 was written by
Topics:adventures, book characters
Studio:Columbia Tristar
Director:Rob Minkoff
Cast:Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie, Michael J. Fox
Genre:Family and Kids
Run time:77 minutes
Theatrical release date:July 19, 2002
DVD release date:December 10, 2002
MPAA rating:PG
MPAA explanation:peril and potty humor

This review of Stuart Little 2 was written by
 

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