STUART LITTLE (U) Midnight Screening: Dec17 - 19, 1999 Screening: Dec 23, 1999 Released by: BVCT The Rate: 3 1/2 stars upon 5 The Players : Geena Davis (Mrs. Little), Hugh Laurie (Mr. Little), Jonathan Lipnicki (George) Featuring the voices of: Michael J. Fox (Stuart Little), Nathan Lane (Snowbell), Chazz Palminteri (Smokey)

The Story :
Mr. & Mrs. Little and their son, George live in a quaint little house built in between two giant buildings in the middle of New York city. Funny looking house in the middle of the city, you say to yourself. Funny folks, you add, when - instead of adopting a little boy as a son and a brother to George, the Littles decide to pick an orphan mouse from the orphanage. Yes, a mouse! Add that, a talking mouse named Stuart.

George is disappointed when he comes back from school to find a mouse instead of a brother. The Littles' pet cat, Snowbell is angry to find a mouse given more attention in the household than himself. So, Snowbell plots a plan to get rid of Stuart. He enlists the help of the tough neighbourhood alleycats!

Soon, Stuart gets along with George and the rest of the family. Their happiness is interrupted when Stuart's real parents - Camille and Reginald Stout drop by the Littles to claim Stuart. With a heavy heart the Littles let Stuart leave with his estranged parents. Camille and Reginald are fake parents, as we find out later, that was planned by Smokey, head of the alleycat to get rid of Stuart. When Stuart finds out the truth, he runs back to his adopted family, only to be confronted by the (hungry) alleycats in Central Park. What's a mouse to do?

The Review:
Ah, a heartwarming movie for the family outing this holiday season. Stuart Little will pack in the crowd alright. With great computer effects, tons of tongue-in-cheek humour and all the cutesy going around in the movie (you will ooh and ahh most parts of the show, I promise you that!), this movie is a crowd pleaser to all ages.

Stuart Little combines the efforts of many a talented movie makers and actors. Michael J. Fox and Nathan Lane lend their voices and skills to the animal characters. The movie is directed by Rob Minkoff, who is known for his other animated films, The Little Mermaid and Beauty And The Beast. Having contributed to character design and story development for those two box-office Disney hits, Minkoff sure knows what kids (and adults who bring them to the movies) want! Interesting note. Co-writer of Stuart Little is the celebrated director of the moment, M Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense).

The quick-paced, one-and-a-half-hour movie is non taxing to the kids. Story wise, it is easy to follow with the happy-ending kinda ending. Watch the movie for its funny one liners and great effects. Leave the brain outside for once, please. It is the holiday season you know.

Posted: 18 DEC 1999