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I had some
bad expectations for this film, as I have for many recent Disney features
lately considering how down the tank that once great organization has gone.
But I went in with an open mind, and I found out that while it could have been
better it was still very sweet, entertaining and funny.
Basically a Hawaiian girl named Lilo whose parents were killed and is now
living with her big sister is trying to get through life as only she can, but
what with the fact that she is completely outcast from her school chums and
has a scary black social worker breathing down her sister's neck as to whether
or not she can stay in the home life is a bit stressful.
She then meets Experiment
626, a little alien from another galaxy who is almost more of an android. He
has been programmed to destroy, and that is all he knows, but having turned on
his creator ( a little Frankenstein like ) he flees to earth and is found by
Lilo, who thinking him a dog adopts him into her family. She names him
"Stitch", and is unaware that the alien's creator is hunting the
little monster down. Stitch wants nothing to do with her, but must use her as
a shield to protect himself from his creator, for as long as he does the other
aliens cannot reveal themselves to the humans.
Eventually though Stitch
began losing the thoughts of destruction and begins to wonder about his life,
and to wish for acceptance and family. He tries to get this by being friends
with Lilo, but by accident he always manages to mess things up, sometimes
dangerously. Rejected by Lilo's family he has only a choice of going back
to his creator and death or staying and unintentionally causing havoc for poor
Lilo and her sister.
This
film is a dramatic change from so many Disney films, and is a breath of fresh
air. The issues addressed within are oddly serious for a Disney family
feature, involving death of family and the possibility of a child living in a
broken home having to removed from it, but they do it so well that it makes
you really feel for the little girl. The Hawaiian setting is cool and
different, the art is traditional but well done, and while the story is pretty
basic it does its job well. The music consists mostly of Elvis Presley to
coincide with the 25th anniversary of his death, and while I'm not a self
proclaimed lover of his music it does allow for some funny moments. The
original soundtrack and the Hawaiian children's chorus are the best examples
of music in this film.
The comedy is alright, if
not gut-busting. The most annoying character is a one-eyed guy who is so dumb
it almost ruins it, but every film has its negatives. I loved Tarzan save for
the idiotic ape named Turk, and it just seems Disney's eternal shame that they
always put one annoying character in. But it's no real biggie.
Overall a
sweet family film, if you don't mind the minor crude humor and the one scene
where the aliens discuss the earth's "evolutionary" developments. I
personally recommend it for anyone out there who enjoys Disney family films.
They used to be abundant, but nowadays they're hard to find from Disney, so
enjoy them when they come.
Story:
Pretty typical. Kind of like Disney's answer to ET
Acting:
Special effects: 1/2
The animation was occasionally laced with CGI, but
mostly was traditional cell.
Voice Acting:
1/2 Lilo's voice is charming. The funniest character
in the movie.
Sexual content:
None. Just don't look when the beach bikini babes
pop up.
Heart enlightenment factor:
I came to tears sometimes, but I'll admit I'm a softy
Soundtrack:
Even with Elvis it's pretty good.
Overall:
A charming movie for young families or the young at heart.