Doesn't feel like Disney territory

Rating: 8/10 (16 September 2002)

I had almost given up on Disney; the animation is lackluster, the stories are either tired reworking of old plots or feel-good messages with souring soundtracks and flowing hair. But the advertising for Lilo & Stitch caught my attention for one reason: the main characters are naughty! They are really messed up! Lilo, who you have to love from the minute she's introduced, is truly angry, and she shows it. The bit with the voodoo doll (just see it) was heartbreakingly honest. And watching Stitch try in vain to destroy San Francisco... I don't know if I've ever seen characters in a kid's movie be so destructive, even in such a misguided way. And while, yes, it seems a little simple to say that these two just want to be loved and then all their problems will be solved, there is no denying that little kids DO just want to be loved. The adult character were equally engaging, and it was nice to see some healthy legs on the big sister. Come to think of it, Lilo wasn't model thin, either, but that didn't stop her from being adorable. Unlike some recent (and wonderful) animated films, this doesn't offer as much in the way of "hidden" adult jokes. But sometimes you just gotta pretend you're a kid and go with it.