Disney, mainly like we know it.

Rating: 6/10 (14 October 2002)

Rating: U Stars: Ving Rhames is the biggest name Theme: Disney - says it all Language/Nudity/Violence: comedy violence
"Ohana means family... family means, nobody gets left behind, or forgotten"
Yep, Disney has taken its family values and shoved them further down your throat than ever before. The central message is the importance of family, no matter who you are or where you come from. Lilo lives with and is cared for by her older sister, Nani, in Hawaii. Stitch is an intergalactic killing machine who crash lands on aforementioned island. After some typical Disney confusion and comedy timing (and some blind ignorance from the people running the dog pound), Lilo adopts Stitch. Cue the hilarity.
At least, cue the chuckles. There are a few moments of laugh out loud humour, but generally its smile raising and appreciative giggles all the way. The story itself isn't classic Disney, which is refreshing. And the characters aren't typical beautiful Disney faces. The women in the movie all have the kind of thighs that a New Zealand winger would be proud of and all the human characters have flattened Hawaiian noses. Of course they are all cute, those animators aren't completely stupid. Stitch himself is even quite loveable, despite being in need of serious orthodontic care. And the setting lends itself to images vibrant with bright full colours, classic Disney more like Aladdin than Beauty and the Beast.
The animation itself harks back to classic Disney. Perspective is considered greater than flashier effects. The mind blowing three dimensional animation of Beauty and the Beast or Mulan isn't apparent for most of the movie. It is used carefully to separate worlds and to add to the narrative the notion of differences and colliding cultures. In fact it was the intelligence with which the movie was created which impresses more than the movie itself. The prologue, set in a space craft and modern in its animation style, contrasts with the classic animation of the Earth scenes. On the few occasions when space craft are seen flying around Earth, the animation switches back to the modern rendering. The perspective on Earth is that the viewer is looking up to everyone (which may explain the thighs). The only characters we can see eye to eye are Lilo and Stitch themselves - we are one of them, one of the family.
This is not the greatest Disney movie ever released, but its not the worst. It will probably spawn a snatch of straight to video sequels and make a fortune in merchandising this Christmas. It will also earn many a boyfriend out there some extra brownie points as well. This is a pleasant enough Disney film that won't offend anyone and won't seem like 90 minutes of your life wasted. But don't expect a life changing experience, or even to spend too much time thinking about the film after you leave the cinema. Perfect for a quiet night out.
Rating: 6.5/10 Who to go with: Men, your girlfriend. Women, your boyfriend (and he won't mind taking you either)