Lilo & Stitch (2002)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Directors:

Dean DeBlois
Chris Sanders

Writers:

Chris Sanders (idea)
Chris Sanders (written by) ...

Release Date:

21 June 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Adventure | Family | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

There's one in every family.

Plot:

A Hawaiian girl adopts an unusual pet who is actually an notorious extra-terrestrial fugitive from the law.

Plot Keywords:

Experiment | Escape | Fugitive | Alien | Social Worker

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 8 wins & 20 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Wed. Nov. 18

8:00 PM

ABCF

Cast

Daveigh Chase	...	Lilo (voice)
Chris Sanders	...	Stitch (voice) (as Christopher Michael Sanders)
Tia Carrere	...	Nani (voice)
David Ogden Stiers	...	Jumba (voice)
Kevin McDonald	...	Pleakley (voice)
Ving Rhames	...	Cobra Bubbles (voice)
Zoe Caldwell	...	Grand Councilwoman (voice)
Jason Scott Lee	...	David Kawena (voice)
Kevin Michael Richardson	...	Captain Gantu (voice)
Susan Hegarty	...	Rescue Lady (voice)
Amy Hill	...	Mrs. Hasagawa (voice)
Steve Alterman	...	Additional Voice (voice)
Emily Anderson	...	Additional Voice (voice)
Jack Angel	...	Additional Voice (voice)
Bill Asing	...	Additional Voice (voice)

MPAA:

Rated PG for mild sci-fi action.

Runtime:

85 min | Germany:84 min | Spain:86 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Hawaiian

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:L | Malaysia:U | South Korea:All | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Brazil:Livre | Canada:G (video rating) | Finland:K-7 | France:U | Germany:o.Al. (cut) | Netherlands:AL | Norway:7 | Peru:PT | Philippines:G | Singapore:G | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:U (cut) | USA:PG | Greece:K

Filming Locations:

Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida, Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA

Company:

Walt Disney Feature Animation

Trivia:

All of the license plates in the film (VW, Nani's car, the fire engine, and Cobra Bubbles' car) are A113. The same as Mrs. Davis's plate number in Toy Story (1995), Mater's plate number in Cars (2006), and also used in many other Disney and Pixar films. It is a reference to a room number at California Institute of the Arts, where many of the animators at those two companies received their educations.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Right before Stitch finds the Ugly Duckling book, he picks up three other books. The first two, "Oyster Farming: Is it for you?" and "Fire Eating for Fun and Profit" have their titles printed on the back of the books, and nothing printed on the fronts.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Grand Councilwoman: Read the charges.
Gantu: Doctor Jumba Jookiba, you stand before this council accused of illegal genetic experimentation!
Grand Councilwoman: How do you plead?
Jumba: Not guilty! My experiments are only theoretical, and completely within legal boundaries.
Grand Councilwoman: We believe you actually... created something.
Jumba: Created something? Hah! But that would be irresponsible and unethical. I would never, ever...
[Stitch is revealed]
Jumba: ...make... more than one.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in LOL (2006)

Soundtrack:

Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride

This is Disney at it's best. Honestly.

"Lilo & Stitch" tells the touching story of a lonely little Hawaiian girl, named Lilo, who meets and befriends Stitch, an escaped refugee alien who poses as a dog at the pound.

I wasn't expecting much when it first came out, not being to interested in it. Well, after seeing it at the theater, I can now say it is Disney's best film. Ever. It's better than classics like "Beauty and the Beast" and "The Little Mermaid," both of which I adore. Many will not feel the same way as I do but I thought "Lilo & Stitch" was one of Disney's most inventive and involving scripts with fleshed-out and well-written characters.

We are set in Hawaii, a tropical background that gives the movie a great feel. Setting it in Kansas, as originally planned, would not have had the same effect. The animation is simply beautiful, with pink fluffy clouds and wonderfully drawn characters.

However, it's the story that "Lilo & Stitch" tells, along with many other great elements, that makes this film so outstanding. Not only is the film very funny (in fact, it's hilarious!) with pure moments of comic genius that can appeal to older audiences as well as kids, it's one of the most touching films I have ever seen. The whole middle of the movie is one that gives us spectacular scenes in a row that move me to tears each time.

***SKIP THIS NEXT PARAGRAPH, TO AVOID MILD SPOILERS***

I don't wanna say too much, but Nani's fight for custody of Lilo, tossed in with Stitch's touching character arc and search for the one place he does belong, and Lilo's loneliness, and a broken family, and cherished and beloved friendship with Stitch make this movie a surprisingly heartwarming and touching feature. One of the film's strengths is that it can be, at times, so sad.

***END SPOILERS***

The direction is solid, as is the animation. The water, and backdrop of Hawaii is desirable. The characters are developed, unlike most Disney classics, and lovable. You can identify with these characters and feel for them, and yes, Stitch does qualify in that category. His battered emotions, as well as the also adorable Lilo, are part of what makes this film so moving. This is an original, funny, and extremely heartwarming film that I highly recommend to families.

"Lilo & Stitch" was wonderful characters that I instantly fell in love with. More captivating than previous, sub-par Disney releases such as "Hercules," "Hunchback of Notre Dame," or "Tarzan," this movie makes me laugh, cry, and moves me immensely. While it didn't break any new ground or anything, it thankfully returned audiences back to Disney's roots in terms of quality.

10/10