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Directed by |
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Starring |
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Specs |
- Widescreen 1.85:1
- 16:9 Enhanced
- Dual Layer ( )
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Languages |
- English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
- Dutch: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
- English: Dolby Digital Stereo
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Subtitles |
English, Dutch, English - Hearing Impaired, Hindi |
Extras |
- 2 Teaser trailer
- Theatrical trailer
- Audio commentary
- 4 Featurette
- Animated menus
- Music video - Celine Dion
- Behind the scenes footage
- DVD-ROM features
- Filmographies
- Interactive game
- Dolby Digital trailer
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Stuart Little 2 |
Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment .
R4 . COLOR . 75 mins .
G . PAL |
Feature |
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Contract |
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Hollywood's fascination for sequels (read guaranteed money-spinners) is highlighted once again with the release of Stuart Little 2, a film that boasts how different it is to the original but which, in reality, is not that far removed. Let's have a look at why. Stuart Little was released in 1999 and was an enjoyable and successful little film about a mouse and his adopted family of humans. Stuart was CGI generated and much of the action was done the same way. Snowbell, the family's cat, doesn't really talk, and neither do the neighbourhood strays. The live actors no doubt find this quite challenging, and ultimately it all comes together as a fine family film with something for everyone. There are laughs, some tension and drama, and ultimately a happy ending. If it ain't broke, then don't try to fix it. Well it goes something like that, and the producers of Stuart Little 2 have adhered to this philosophy. The action picks up pretty much from where the first film ended, and Stuart has well and truly settled into the Little household. The same actors reprise their roles, and are joined by other Hollywood big names such as Melanie Griffith and James Woods voicing animated characters. The film is similar enough to ensure audiences are satisfied, yet different enough to avoid lambasting from the critics. There are a few new characters, and some new dramas to contend with, but the same themes are presented. Alienation, loneliness, feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt and guilt are all addressed again, but you just know it will all turn out well, as in all good fairy tales. Although there was only one book from which to draw ideas, both movies seem to have something different to offer, and I suspect a Stuart Little 3 is a distinct possibility. Stuart Little was created by EB White, who also gave the world Charlotte's Web which is another excellent children's story. The producers have tried to be faithful to the original idea and are largely successful, but were somewhat criticised by some for making Stuart just a little too 'new millennium'. The effort gone into creating a level of believability is never less than gargantuan. The final product is so good that you totally forget that much of what you are seeing is not real. The live actors (including Geena Davis and Hugh Laurie) are perfectly suited to their roles as the Little parents. Jonathan Lipnicki is great as George Little, and Nathan Lane is a deliciously sly and cowardly Snowbell. Michael J Fox comes up trumps yet again as the voice of Stuart. Nothing has been overlooked. The main characters are all dressed in bright colours, the baddies in drab colours. The action is constant and there are some excellent camera angles and trickery employed to not just suspend your disbelief, but totally destroy it. As said, it is the effort gone into creating the film that makes it all so enjoyable. No detail has been overlooked, and kids will fall in love with Stuart and probably want a little brother just like him. Adults should also find this easy to enjoy, as there's plenty of action and laughs along the way, and just enough comic menace in the baddies for all to enjoy. It may not be radically different to the original, but don't let that out you off for it is still an enjoyable way to spend time with the kids. You will most likely enjoy it a great deal, and the kids certainly will.
Video |
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Contract |
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There is almost nothing to fault in this transfer, in fact, there is nothing worth faulting at all. CGI characters look as clear and sharp as their human counterparts, right down to the mouse fur and scratches in Margelo's beak. Colours are very bold and bright as you might expect in a children's film that borders on cartoonish. Skin tones are fine, and there are no problems with shadow detail. There are no issues with the colouring and there is no evidence of chroma noise. There are no artefacts to contend with and we are left with a very clean transfer. There is just the slightest evidence of aliasing, but this is almost nitpicking. There is no layer change to contend with either, as this is placed elsewhere on the disc.
Audio |
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Contract |
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The fine audio is supplemented by the solid audio. The track of choice is the Dolby Digital 5.1, which is mostly focused in the the front speakers, with well thought out and balanced use of the rear channels for various action scenes. The dialogue is almost totally placed in the centre speaker, and there are some nice passages of full dimensional sound when required. The music soundtrack also makes full use of the complete speaker range, and the subwoofer is called on more for the music than other sounds. There are no problems with audio synch or clarity, and the CGI characters are likewise loud and clear. The Dolby Digital 2.0 is also strong and solid, but without the audio tricks that add to the enjoyment. There are also Flemish and Dutch Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks included.
Extras |
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Contract |
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Overall |
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Contract |
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The beauty of films like Stuart Little 2 is that kids and adults can all enjoy it, safe in the knowledge that there will be some laughs, no nudity, and probably little to no swearing. In this case you also get a beautifully delivered transfer, a swag of extras, and you won't have to stay up half the night wanting the film to end so you can go to bed, as at 75 minutes, it's not a long or demanding haul. Sit back and enjoy the adventure.
LINK: http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=2253
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And I quote... |
"Plenty of colour and roller coaster action in this charming sequel that adults will enjoy and kids will love…" - Terry Kemp |
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Review Equipment |
- DVD Player:
Akai
- TV:
TEAC CT-F803 80cm Super Flat Screen
- Receiver:
Pioneer VSX-D409
- Speakers:
Wellings
- Centre Speaker:
Wellings
- Surrounds:
Wellings
- Subwoofer:
Sherwood SP 210W
- Audio Cables:
Standard RCA
- Video Cables:
standard s-video
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