Lilo & Stitch
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Movie Reviews of Lilo & Stitch
Movie Review: Sleeper Hit, Very Unique, Creative, Realistic Disney Project
Summary: 5 Stars
First off, i'd like to dismiss all the people on here who worry about there kids, yes lilo does jump and hit a girl, but the girl disrespected her, there is a little bit of violence, but this is a PG film, it isn't G "Thank God" the violence is al taken with a grain of salt, I for one am glad it isn't PC , Disney everything is magic, because the real world is not magic, it is real, yes lilo could be taking from the Department of Child Services, without giving away to much she has lost her parents, her sister takes care of her, and no one understands her, she doesn't clique with anybody, she is a very talented, very intresting young girl, but no one cares, so yes, she's a little bitter, realistic, who hassn't dealt with that? there is a great story arc, about "The Ugly Duckling" This is without a doubt, a movie about finding yourself, about family, and about alienation(lol.) pun intended. I took this as a joke at first, never rented it, never bought it, someone was right when they said dont judge a book by it's cover, a girlfriend lent it to me, by the way I am 24 Years old, I LOVE animation, and the colors, the atmosphere, the enviroments, the music, the hawaii setting, the realism, the family and personal messages, this movie is a GEM, this'll be rare someday, because alot of..i'd like to call RIDICOLOUS parents, think there kids should nevr see anything aside from smiles, lollipops, and talking horses..I for one HATED spirit..this film is for anyone, kids, adults, teens, young adults, I challange you to rent this movie, with an open mind, and get sucked into the story it is NOT a comedy, it is a CREATIVE DISNEY DRAMA, there is humor yes, but it's all very realistic, although there is no proof of aliens, there is also no proof of god, or ghosts, people fear that which they do not understand, and fear causes anger, anger causes hate, and hate leads to the dark side ;) hah, always wanted to use that..i'll be honest, i'm not a very large fan of regular films, I love animation, the way it shows emotion, and enviroments, it's amazing, Spirited away, is godlike, as is miyazaki, I guarantee he would love this film, CUDOS to Disney, for taking risks, the voice work is exceptional, and chihiro from spirited away, is the voice of LiLo, Truly, I cannot recomend this Masterpiece of Animation, Enough, This is one of my top favorite "FILMS" of all time, forget about it's animated..This is beautifull animation, Buy this movie, and enjoy it, and if you feel it is a lil, harsh, remember life is to, and your kids should learn that, that's the best lesson in life, reality.
Movie Review: Last of the great Disney hand animated films
Summary: 5 Stars
Stitch is a genetically engineered alien creature programmed for mass disruption who is bulletproof and super strong. Lilo is the troubled little Hawaiian girl who adopts Stitch as her pet dog when he escapes captivity on his home planet. This beautifully animated film is full of imaginative, whimsical characters and I found it very entertaining. Thankfully, it contains no unnecessary musical numbers.
I don't like musicals, so any time a Disney film comes along without any silly musical numbers it already has a positive head start with me. That isn't to say Lilo lacks signing and dancing completely - there is a traditional Hawaiian performance at the beginning and end of the film, and also a number of unexpected Elvis songs. The Hawaiian traditional fit in with the setting of the film so it didn't have that contrived feel of most animated musical numbers, like say, everything from Lion King. My initial knee-jerk reaction to it was - this must be some liberal, multicultural Disney pandering, but it really had a natural feel to it so I didn't mind at all. And the notion of a little Hawaiian girl being a devoted Elvis fan at such a young age is hilarious and just plain fun.
Stitch spends most of the film on the run from the crazy scientist who created him as well as a specialist on the planet Earth. Lilo is cared for by her big sister after their parents died in an accident. This lack of family by both Lilo and Stitch serves as the foundation of their friendship.
Stitch is a great little monster - he was designed to cause chaos but finds himself on the peaceful island of Hawaii. He has a tendency to tear up everything in sight but without any large cities to terrorize he must find a new purpose for himself. The story develops this family theme throughout and manages to tug at the audience's heart strings without being too obvious about it. Stitch is the result of illegal genetic engineering, and you might expect the film to get a little preachy on the subject. Fortunately it does not, but we can infer that the film takes the stance that any such living creature has the right to its own life.
The animation is outstanding with brilliant, vivid colors dominating nearly every scene. The film had a more traditional, hand drawn feel to it than the more geometrically drawn features like Toy Story or the super realistic Shrek or Monsters, Inc.
Movie Review: The least "Disney" Disney film in years -- which works!
Summary: 5 Stars
Perhaps the Disney film least like the Disney formula released in decades, "Lilo & Stitch" looks and feels like a high quality release from some upstart animation company.Moving across a water-colored Hawaiian backdrop -- but eschewing the overblown glossy and even insulting way "Pocahantas" portrayed the relationship between native peoples and their environment -- Lilo and Stitch are perhaps the least-cuddly Disney characters ever, and thus, likely the most realistic. Lilo is something of a monstrous little girl, of the sort recognizable on every playground but seldom seen in movies (and certainly not in G-rated movies). Her acting out has reason, but understanding it doesn't magically excuse it or resolve her misbehavior. She's also distinctly not picture-perfect: She's round, not particularly attractive, and even her comparitively willowy older sister has real world hips and a non-ideal figure. It's a refreshing change from the ordinary Disney film, where we're told the proto-supermodel characters are just ordinary girls, despite their beauty, brilliance and perfect behavior. Girls of all ages will recognize themselves in Lilo and Nani.
Which isn't to say the characters don't have sympathetic traits: Stitch's scene recreating "The Ugly Duckling" is one of the most heart-breaking scenes in animated film history -- it would take being a real alien monster not to feel a twinge and a damp eye.
In a break from Disney animated films, we don't get new songs written for the film. Rather, Lilo's love of Elvis Presley -- on LPs, at that -- forms the soundtrack for the film. It's a gamble that works wonderfully and probably will serve as the introduction for new generations to the works of Elvis.
Eschewing the dramatic life changes that are so standard in Disney films, "Lilo & Stitch" wraps up with a single important lesson: Family is something you define for yourself. It's a believable and important lesson that is nicely understated in the finale.
Strongly recommended to audiences of all ages, particularly older fans who feel that Disney films have tended to blur together in recent years. "Lilo & Stitch" is different, with a fresh voice and rough edges. A diamond wonderfully in the rough.
Movie Review: Disney does Gaugin--and it works
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of my favorite movies of the past several years. I can't recall laughing so hard in a theater as I did during this picture, as the plot twists and imaginative humor had me captivated from start to finish.I know there are certain expectations when a movie has the Disney name behind it--Bambi, Snow White, Pinocchio. But look at the recent trend--Lion King has some irreverent, even self-mocking moments, and The Emperor's New Groove is very different than traditional Disney family movies. So L & S goes a little further, with a combo sci-fi/Hawaii/non-traditional family theme.
Regarding the animation, I immediately saw the connection with the colors and impressions of Hawaii and Polynesia as portrayed by Gaugin and other artists. I'm not saying the movie was trying to be artsy, but as a yearly vacation-goer I've always noticed the distinctive, vivid colors of Hawaii, and the movie definitely captured those images. So critics of the animation are probably expecting something like previous Disney efforts. But visit Kauai's Hanalei Bay which I think was the inspiration for this movie and you'll see what the filmmakers were shooting for.
The potential knock on this movie is the situation with Lilo's family, where she's about ready to fall into care of the state for various reasons. This is definitely not funny and it's questionable material for a family comedy. In the end, however, a family is formed, albeit with a few aliens and Cobra Bubbles as part of it, which is a defense for non-traditional families. My adopted daughter often feels different and an outsider, so I definitely could relate to Lilo's perspective on the world.
Finally, I haven't read many reviews that commented on the music. The songs in this movie are outstanding and also help capture the feeling of the islands. It was totally reminiscent of local Hawaiians surfing and swimming in the ocean as if it's a part of them, which it probably is.
So between the far-out humor, great scenes and music of Hawaii, and relating to Lilo's character, I'd have to say this is a 5-star movie all the way.
Movie Review: Spectacular family film -- the one you've been waiting for!
Summary: 5 Stars
Trust me, parents, Lilo & Stitch is a treat. This is one to own. It is an adventure across the galaxy. It is a lighthearted tale of a fuzzy little anti-hero and moral lessons learned. It is a spectacular watercolor. It is a celebration of the beautiful Hawaiin islands and their culture. It is the best animated Disney summer blockbuster since the Lion King. Stitch is Experiment 626, an alien designed to wreak destruction and chaos. He is a little too good at havoc so good that the Council has decided that he is too dangerous for their society. Before they can exile him on an asteroid, he escapes his makers and takes refuge on Earth (which is a wildlife reserve where his pursuers must capture him without harming the locals or making a scene). There he takes up with Lilo, a cute little Hawaiian girl with behavioral problems of her own. Pretty soon they become an adorable pair of holy terrors around town while bounty hunters lie in wait for an opportunity to reclaim Stitch.
At first I was skeptical that Lilo & Stitch could be any good after a string of box-office bombs from Disney in the last 6 years. Well, whatever creative slump they were in, the writers and creative forces have redeemed themselves at last. Returning to a softer visual style with vivid watercolors and rounded designs seems to have worked well with the peppy little story here. Stitch himself is just too cute, despite naughty hijinks aplenty. And even though there is a sentimental steak running through the film a mile wide, I never once found myself wishing for that bucket.
The DVD version has some fun bonus material, including deleted scenes which have some delightful raw sketches in areas, as though a ghostly afterimage was infused with life and action. Dont miss the trailers (the Aladdin version is a hoot). There is an educational bit about Hawaii and Hula dancing included, and we are treated to a behind-the-scenes making of the film through all stages. Finally, a DVD rom game is waiting. Dont be afraid to buy this DVD, it is sure to return your moneys worth in entertainment.