By TIM WATKIN
(Herald rating: * * * * )
It shouldn't surprise us that a mouse growing up in New York is going to have some identity issues. After all, he's a talking mouse who's being raised like any other boy in the world capital of neuroses.
The pressures of making and
keeping friends and the value of looking for the silver lining make up the moral core of this Little sequel.
As it opens, Stuart has become a regular part of the family: driving his car to school, playing soccer at the weekend and going on sleepovers. But big brother George (Lipnicki) is outgrowing him.
Out of the blue - literally - comes Margalo (Griffith), a new, canary-like friend who becomes, in a slightly dodgy, cross-species way, a love interest for the littlest Little.
They hit it off and even enjoy the small-animal version of a drive-in. The movie they're watching - Vertigo - is a most un-childlike choice, but the director's giving us a clue. Like Kim Novak in the Hitchcock thriller, this new chick in our hero's life ain't all she seems. She's a con-canary, working as the front guy for Falcon, a big, nasty bird who's like an Artful Dodger of the skies.
"Never make a friend I can eat," he memorably sneers at the increasingly torn Margalo.
Stuart, nevertheless, trusts Margalo, so when she shoots through he assumes she's in trouble and sets out on an adventure to save her. His companion is his adversary from the first film, Snowbell (Lane), who is rewarded for his loyalty with the best one-liners.
The New York they wander through is safe and colourful. Everyone seems to be wearing bright clothing, especially red and yellow. As unworldly as this sounds, it gives the film its charm. This is an unapologetic confection of innocence and sweetness, and it works wonderfully.
Warning for adults: don't expect a layer of irony or in-jokes above and beyond what the kids are smiling at, as in Antz or Shrek. This works purely on the kids' level. Crucially for the oldies, however, it avoids being nauseating. Except for the parents, that is, and they're meant to be nauseating.
Michael J. Fox's voice, as Stuart, was made for cartoons and Lane and Griffith fit in well.
As for the animation, even the 10-year-old expert alongside me was seriously impressed. And if it withstands the scrutiny of that PlayStation/Gameboy/computer whizz, then rest assured, the animation is superb.
Cast: Hugh Laurie, Geena Davis, Jonathan Lipnicki and voices of Michael J. Fox, Melanie Griffith, Nathan Lane
Director: Rob Minkoff
Rating: G
Running Time: 78m
Screening: Village, Hoyts, Berkeley cinemas
By TIM WATKIN
(Herald rating: * * * * )
It shouldn't surprise us that a mouse growing up in New York is going to have some identity issues. After all, he's a talking mouse who's being raised like any other boy in the world capital of neuroses.
The pressures of making and
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