Stuart Little 2: A Cinematic Exploration
Delving into the production, reception, and artistic elements of the beloved animated-adventure sequel.
Overview ๐ Cast ๐ฅDive in with Flashcard Learning!
๐ฎ Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game๐ฎ
Film Overview
Genre and Foundation
Stuart Little 2 is a 2002 American live-action/animated comedy film, loosely adapted from E.B. White's classic novel, Stuart Little. Directed by Rob Minkoff with a screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubin, the film continues the narrative of the charming anthropomorphic mouse, Stuart Little, and his integration into the human Little family.
Key Personnel and Voices
The film features live-action performances from Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie, and Jonathan Lipnicki. The voice cast is notable, including Michael J. Fox as Stuart, Melanie Griffith as Margalo the canary, Nathan Lane as Snowbell the cat, James Woods as the antagonist Falcon, and Steve Zahn as Monty the cat.
Narrative Synopsis
Set three years after the first film, Stuart finds himself feeling somewhat isolated as George prefers his human friends. His life takes a turn when he encounters Margalo, a canary in distress, who is being coerced by the predatory Falcon. Stuart, along with his feline companion Snowbell, embarks on a mission to rescue Margalo and confront Falcon, exploring themes of friendship, loyalty, and courage.
Cast and Voices
Live-Action Ensemble
The human element of the Little family is portrayed by:
- Geena Davis as Mrs. Eleanor Little, the matriarch.
- Hugh Laurie as Mr. Frederick Little, the patriarch.
- Jonathan Lipnicki as George Little, Stuart's older brother.
- Anna and Ashley Hoelck as Martha Little, the infant sister.
- Marc John Jefferies as Will Powell, George's friend.
- Jim Doughan as the soccer coach.
- Brad Garrett as Rob, a plumber.
Voice Talent
The animated characters are brought to life by a distinguished voice cast:
- Michael J. Fox as Stuart Little, the titular anthropomorphic mouse.
- Melanie Griffith as Margalo, a canary entangled with the antagonist.
- Nathan Lane as Snowbell, the family cat and Stuart's confidant.
- James Woods as Falcon, the formidable peregrine falcon antagonist.
- Steve Zahn as Monty, Snowbell's street-smart cat friend.
Production Insights
Development and Filming
Rob Minkoff returned to direct, with the original principal cast reprising their roles. Principal photography commenced in March 2001 and concluded in June of the same year. The production navigated significant external events, notably the September 11 terrorist attacks, which necessitated reshoots and digital alterations to remove or modify scenes featuring the World Trade Center.
Technical Aspects
The film masterfully blends live-action cinematography with sophisticated computer animation. The visual effects team achieved seamless integration of the animated characters with the live-action environment, earning critical acclaim for the naturalistic movements and subtle emotional expressions of the characters, as noted by critics.
Critical and Commercial Reception
Box Office Performance
Stuart Little 2 achieved a worldwide gross of $170 million against a production budget of $120 million. While commercially successful, its performance was slightly less than its predecessor. The film opened with $15.1 million domestically, securing the second position at the box office during its opening weekend.
Critical Consensus
The film garnered generally favorable reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an 81% approval rating based on 124 reviews, with the consensus highlighting its "sweet, visually impressive sequel" nature that provides "wholesome entertainment for kids." Metacritic assigned it a weighted average score of 66 out of 100, indicating positive reception. Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore awarded the film an average grade of "A".
Musical Score and Soundtrack
Featured Tracks
The soundtrack album, Music from and Inspired by Stuart Little 2, was released by Epic Records and Sony Music Soundtrax. It features a compilation of songs, including contributions from Celine Dion, Mary Mary, Mandy Moore, and Nathan Lane, alongside the film's score composed by Alan Silvestri.
| No. | Title | Artist | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I'm Alive" | Celine Dion | 3:28 |
| 2. | "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" | Mary Mary | 3:09 |
| 3. | "Top of the World" | Mandy Moore | 3:22 |
| 4. | "Another Small Adventure" | Chantal Kreviazuk | 2:57 |
| 5. | "One" | Nathan Lane | 2:18 |
| 6. | "What I Like About You" | The Romantics | 2:56 |
| 7. | "Hold on to the Good Things" | Shawn Colvin | 3:30 |
| 8. | "Count on Me" | Billy Gilman | 3:42 |
| 9. | "Smile" | Vitamin C | 3:58 |
| 10. | "Alone Again (Naturally)" | Gilbert O'Sullivan | 3:38 |
| 11. | "Born to Be Wild" | Steppenwolf | 3:30 |
| 12. | "Little Angel of Mine" | No Secrets | 3:47 |
| 13. | "Falcon Finito" | Alan Silvestri | 6:51 |
| 14. | "Silver Lining" | Alan Silvestri | 4:21 |
Video Game Adaptations
Platform Releases
Three distinct video games based on Stuart Little 2 were developed and released across various platforms:
- A PlayStation version, published by Sony Computer Entertainment and developed by Magenta Software.
- A Game Boy Advance version, developed by Creations and published by Activision.
- A Microsoft Windows version, developed by Hyperspace Cowgirls and published by Infogrames.
Critical reception for these adaptations varied, with scores generally ranging from average to moderately positive across different platforms.
Awards and Nominations
Recognition
The film received several nominations and one win, acknowledging its artistic and technical achievements:
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | BAFTA Children's Award | Best Feature Film | Douglas Wick, Lucy Fisher, Rob Minkoff, Bruce Joel Rubin | Nominated |
| 2003 | Golden Trailer Award | Best Animation/Family Film | Stuart Little 2 | Nominated |
| 2003 | Visual Effects Society Award | Best Character Animation | Tony Bancroft, David Schaub, Eric Armstrong, Sean Mullen | Won |
| 2003 | Visual Effects Society Award | Best Visual Effects Photography | Earl Wiggins, Mark Vargo, Tom Houghton, Anna Foerster | Nominated |
| 2003 | Young Artist Award | Best Family Feature Film | Rob Minkoff | Nominated |
Home Media Releases
Availability
Stuart Little 2 was made available to consumers through various home media formats. It was initially released on VHS and DVD in the United States on December 10, 2002, by Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment. Later, it was re-released as part of a double feature with the first film and became available on Blu-ray/DVD combo packs, ensuring its continued accessibility for home viewing.
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio
Click here to open the "Stuart Little 2" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
- As depicted in Stuart Little (1999)
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Academic Disclaimer
Important Notice
This document has been generated by an AI model for educational purposes, synthesizing information from publicly available sources. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the provided source material, it is intended as an analytical overview rather than a definitive academic treatise.
This is not professional film criticism or analysis. The content presented here is based on a snapshot of data and may not encompass all nuances or interpretations. For definitive information, consultation of primary sources and expert reviews is recommended.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.