The best Disney feature in years...see it!

Rating: Null/10 (23 June 2002)

After watching Atlantis: The Lost Empire, I thought that Disney was caput on the traditional animation front. The entire thing felt like a huge waste of time, all because Disney didn't go that extra mile and make it completely different from its past features. It still had dumb, 'wacky' characters that were more annoying than funny, and any hopes of a mature story were overshadowed by their jokes. Thankfully, Lilo & Stitch rejuvenated my wearied soul. The writing is insanely inventive and funny, but the movie also made me choke back the tears with its endearing characters, especially the Lilo-Nani pair. You could really feel that they were sisters in a bad situation. I also love the Stitch character, just because the animation brings so much life to him even though he doesn't speak English for much of the film. Jumba and his skinny sidekick (can't remember that guy's name, but he was voiced by one of the Kids in Hall actors) were also quite funny, Jumba being more so because I loved his accent and roly-poly animation. You also have to give credit to Disney for not putting any real bad guys in this thing. In past Mouse movies, there is the BAD GUY and the GOOD GUY. If you were the BAD GUY, then you are pure, Satanic evil. If you were the GOOD GUY, you have no character flaws and are basically Jesus. Here, the 'bad' characters do good things, and the 'good' characters make mistakes. You know, like in real life. Duh! Of all the characters Lilo is probably my favorite, since she's so out there and weird. I think all kids can relate to her being stranded by the other girls, since every kid is weird in his/her own way. So, to say the least, Lilo is the best film of the summer for adults AND kids. Yes, its so touching and funny that both groups should love it. I give this teddy bear of a film 4 out of 4 stars.