When put to the big screen, childhood fables have the tendency to be scrutinized extra carefully based on their origin. Child authors hold this special place in the hearts of adults and children alike because everyone, at one point or another, has had their heartstrings tugged by a lovable pig, mouse, or furry creature that has lost their way. Something magical happens when you turn the pages of a book while curled up on mom’s lap as she voices each different character and you imagine what they look like. When put to the screen, all sense of imagination is lost and you’re forced to accept one person’s view of that very same character you created and believed to be so real. Stuart Little, E.B. White’s lovable orphan mouse, is digitally mastered to perfection and lives up to the expectation of his storybook life.
Voiced by Michael J. Fox, Stuart is the number one pick for adoption by the Little family. His charming manner and endearing ways make his mouse appearance seem normal and in place. Being a mouse with human parents is quite a trial, especially for a child mouse. His size and ability prohibit him from all normal child activities, like playing catch and riding a bike. Yet the desire to witness Stuart as part of a normal functioning family is something worth cheering for, and in turn winds up being quite touching and inspirational.
There is also the strong element of comedy that every child story must contain, the heartiest dose of which is seen in Snow Bell, the family cat. Voiced by Nathan Lane, Snow Bell is a fluffy Persian that struggles with his role in the Little family, being Stuart’s pet. A mouse with a pet cat, what could be worse than that? Hilarious lines ensue between Snow Bell and Stuart, and his desire to have the mouse “scratched out” takes the film on a turn that adults should find as enjoyable as children. I mean, the idea of a house cat hiring a Mafia-type alley cat to get rid of the problem is outrageously funny.
Stuart Little is fun for the whole family, and though somewhat different from the book, it holds true to those childlike elements we place so highly. Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie, and Jonathan Lipnicki are great in the roles of the Little family. And the supporting cast of well-known voices makes Stuart Littles’ jump from the pages a success.
+ Ashley Adams
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