Lilo & Stitch - The Animated E.T.
Written: Jun 21 '02 (Updated Jun 21 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Lilo and Stitch are adorable.
Cons: Too much of the other aliens, not enough of Stitch.
The Bottom Line: Although this is a good movie, it's definitely NOT The Lion King.
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| kristinafh's Full Review: Lilo & Stitch |
Preamble
My son has been counting the days until Lilo & Stitch was released in theaters. Last night, I purchased the tickets just in case it sold out. With it being Summer, you just never know about these things.
I had seen the previews for this movie for months and although it looked okay, I wasn't expecting much.
The Story
The evil genius scientist, Jumba Jookiba (David Ogden Stiers) has created a being, experiment 626 that is meant to destroy every thing that comes in its path. The Galatic Federation's Commander In Chief (Zoe Caldwell) sends Jumba to prison for violating one of their federation laws and she banishes experiment 626 to a deserted asteroid.
Experiment 626 is restrained and ready to be shipped out into space when suddenly, he makes a run for it. He hops a police vehicle and makes his way to planet Earth (specifically, the Hawaiian islands).
It's urgent that experiment 626 is returned to the federation so the commander in chief sends Jumba and the resident expert on earth - Pleakley (Kevin McDonald) to bring him back.
Upon experiment 626's arrival on earth, he is confused by his surroundings and naturally, lashes out at every thing. He is found by truckers and taken to a dog pound.
Meanwhile, six year old Lilo (Daveigh Chase) is having a rough time of it. Her parents died, she doesn't have any friends, and her sister Nani (Tia Carrere) doesn't treat her like her little sister any more. Naturally, Lilo lashes out at every thing around her.
The arrival of the social worker Mr. Bubbles (Ving Rhames) is a disturbing time for Nani. The state feels that she is unfit to be the guardian for Lilo. She has three days to straighten her act out or else they'll take Lilo away.
Nani sees how lonely Lilo is and she decides to let her pick out a dog from the pound. Guess who Lilo picks? You got it - experiment 626. She immediately calls him Stitch and home they go. Unfortunately, Stitch is reckless and destructive, making Nani's situation with the state even more precarious.
Will Nani be able to keep custody of Lilo?
Will Stitch be found by Pleakley and Jumba?
All this, and much more, can be yours, if the price is right. Err, if you see the movie that is :).
The Analysis
Chris Sanders who is credited with writing, co-directing, and voicing the character of Stitch might have spread himself too thin on this project.
He had a great idea for a story and I loved his voicing of Stitch however he seemed to miss the mark in the detailed writing and possibly, the directing.
For example, the idea he had for the story - that an extraterristial brings together a broken family, was terrific. Something like that is bound to tug on the heart strings and pull the audience in. The actual plot though was taken over too much by the other aliens. I understand the need to set up the story but they really could have pulled back and let Stitch really take off.
I felt like most of the characters were great additions to the Disney line up.
Stitch was just adorable and could give Boo (Monster's Inc.) a run for her money in that department. The kids in the theater (and the adults) loved all of his antics, even when he was being destructive.
Lilo was the epitomy of the rebellious and confused child. You know the type...the ones that are lovable one moment and terrors on wheels the next moment. Eleven year old Daveigh Chase who voice Lilo was so adorable. She took what could have been a very sappy character and inserted a lot of humor into her.
Nani wasn't all that strong of a character but I have to give props to Tia Carrere for taking her on.
Ving Rhames, as always, stole the show every time he and his character, Mr. Bubbles, was in a scene.
The characters and voices of the other aliens aren't even worth commenting on. I was really annoyed at how much airtime they got compared to what I thought Lilo and Stitch should have gotten.
The Music
Music producer and arranger Alan Silvestri, contributes a couple of Hawaiian themed songs. The real star of the music show though is Elvis. Six songs (Heartbreak Hotel, Hound Dog, Devil In Disguise, Stuck On You, Blue Hawaii, and Suspicious Minds) added a great sense of familiarity (not to mention humor) to the movie. I admit, I'm not much of an Elvis fan, but I did enjoy how they weaved these songs into the story line.
The Mediocre
I wasn't impressed at all with the animation. It seemed to be crude compared to the likes of The Lion King and some of Disney's other movies.
A Word To Parents
You may have noticed that this movie was rated PG which blew my mind. There isn't any offensive language. What I believe garnered this rating is the arcade-like shooting that occurs between the aliens. No one gets hurt or killed.
The End
Is it worth to see? Absolutely, especially if you like relationship-oriented movies. Well you enjoy yourself? Of course you will. Is it on the same level as The Lion King? Not even close.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
kristinafh
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 - Top 50 |
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Member: Kristina Frazier-Henry
Location: Indiana
Reviews written: 1344
Trusted by: 1169 members
About Me:
Cannot breathe. Missing Barbara.
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