Ohana Means Family

Rating: 10/10 (1 September 2009)

What do you get if you cross an alien, Hawaii, Elvis Presley and the meaning of family? The almighty piece of artwork called Lilo and Stitch.
The film is a delightful sci-fi family film created by the Walt Disney Company shortly before their descent into Dumbville, population them. The film focuses on two unique characters; Lilo, a young lonely Hawaiian girl who is living with her older sister Nani who in turn in struggling to cope being a guardian since their parents died offscreen (what is it with Disney and killing off parents); the second is Experiment 626, a maniacal genetically-created alien who escapes imprisonment and goes on the run, crashlanding in Hawaii but due to be run over by a three trucks, he ends up in a dog shelter and is adopted by Lilo as a dog named Stitch.
Stitch at first uses Lilo as a shield to protect himself, but over time he learns the concept of "Ohana" - which means family, and family means that "nobody gets left behind or forgotten". Stitch turns from a destructive and cruel person into a courageous, caring and loyal figure. Lilo also changes to some extent. The film has a well-rounded amount of characters and each of them have a designated goal or desire and enough screen time. Lilo wants a friend, Stitch's motives change over time, Nani wants to be a good guardian towards Lilo, David wants to date Nani, the list goes on.
In regards to the villains, well there are two interesting things: There are effectively six villains in the film, but none of them are proper Disney Villains and wish to conquer the world or harm someone: Mertle is a typical bullying and pompous little girl who picks on Lola out of fear; social worker Cobra Bubbles is just doing his job despite wanting what's best for Lilo and Nani; Jumba and Pleakley are hunting Stitch for personal reasons; Gantu is doing his job too and sees Stitch as a threat to the universe; and the Grand Councilwoman is also doing her job for the greater good and protection of the universe.
There are many emotional and memorable moments throughout the film and reflects on the tale of the Ugly Duckling - Lilo, Stitch and other characters being outcasts and are brought together by Ohana and over such emotions. Each of the primary characters (Lilo, Stitch, Nani, Jumba and Pleakley) all have their own individual scenes alone or in the company of a close affiliated character.
My favourite is when Jumba observes Stitch and comments to Pleakley that he never created Stitch for a greater purpose other than to destroy everything and questions what it must be like not to have any memories or anything else to remember. There's a charming scene seconds later of Stitch looking around for something to do, and starts reading books, coming across the Ugly Duckling book.
There are many more great moments in the film, some comical (e.g. Stitch plays an Elvis song through his mouth) and musical numbers to enjoy. The last twenty moments goes into the traditional sci-fi wham-mo blammo, but the emotion is still there.
Like many Disney films I've seen, I highly recommend you view this film.