On the DVD: Stuart Little 2 is an absolute visual delight, interweaving the worlds of real action and computer generation to sumptuous effect. The colours are vivid and bold, giving the film a cartoon, almost fantasy, quality that suits the feel of the story. There's a rake of extras, including several behind the scenes and technical featurettes that could possibly spoil some of the magic for younger children. That particular audience, however, will be entertained by the succession of games, stories, competitions and Web links. --Phil Udell

One day, Stuart sets off alone for the trip home, feeling dejected. As he's driving along the pavement, lo and behold! - a beautiful little bird comes careering down from the sky and falls into the passenger seat of Stuart's car. As it happens, this bird, by the name of Margalo, is being chased by a falcon (named Falcon), that seems hell-bent on catching her. Thus begins a mad chase as Stuart pulls out all the stops to get home without being caught. Upon arrival, Stuart tries to mend Margalo's broken wing, while she tells him of her life as an orphan, having lost her mother a long time ago. Being of a sensitive nature, Stuart feels much sympathy for this charming bird, and begins to think that perhaps this could be the answer to their mutual loneliness. Snowbell, the Little's house cat, now having accepted (somewhat reluctantly) Stuart as a member of the family, isn't too enamored by Stuart's new friend. Snowbell, the most sarcastic cat that ever lived, no longer has a desire to harangue Stuart, but sees Margalo as a prospective new victim. Naturally, Mr. and Mrs. Little are smitten by the bird, and allows her to stay indefinitely. With Margalo around, things seem to be looking up for Stuart. He no longer feels alone, and there is even a hint of romance in the air.

But all is not well. One day Margalo disappears, and Stuart is convinced that the evil Falcon has abducted her. With the help of a reluctant Snowbell and his alley-cat friend Monty , he sets off on a perilous journey to a dangerous part of town in order to find her. But there is more to his new friend Margalo than meets the eye.

Anyone who loved the first Stuart Little film will absolutely love this second installment. The film-makers have done a great job in creating a story that has the viewer hooked from beginning to end. Nathan Lane gets all the best line, and steals the show as Snowbell the cat. All the voices are suited to the characters, and Michael J Fox is perfect as Stuart, as is Melanie Griffith as the enchanting Margalo. James Woods manages to be really scary as Falcon. One has to suspend disbelief when Stuart is driving along the busy Manhattan pavement in his little mouse-sized convertible without a)raising an eyebrow and b)being squashed; or when he is sitting in class with the other kids as one of the boys. And Mrs. Little has to get the prize for the most dim-witted mother on the planet, as George (who is obviously not very good at lying) spins a yarn to explain Stuart’s absence as he goes on his quest to find Margalo.

Despite that, this film cannot be praised highly enough, and will be loved by both children and non-cynical adults alike. This is a positive, feel-good movie, with a message that with every cloud - there is a silver lining.