Disney gives us something old and something new to try to expand their horizons (and longevity) and it works pretty well.

Rating: Null/10 (20 June 2002)

Instead of trying to keep up with or outdo the popular Pixar ("Shrek", "Monsters, Inc.") technology, Disney has reverted back to the old days of watercolors for what they hope will be their next blockbuster. With a daring ad campaign that puts "Stitch", the destructive yet cute koala-looking alien, amongst classic Disney characters like Snow White and Ariel ("The Little Mermaid"), it smells like Mickey has a new franchise in the works. The movie, however, is less than traditional. In fact, the themes at times seem a little too heavy or realistic for a typical Disney feature.
For example, you'll see Lilo, the not so cuddly little girl, bite other kids, alienate herself from others, and defy authority. She is being raised by her job-hopping sister, Nani (voiced by Tia Carrere), because her parents were killed in an accident and there's constantly a threat of a social service "thug" (voiced by Ving Rhames) coming by to take Lilo away. The point, though, is that no matter who it is in your life, it's important to have "ohana" (family). It's nice to see that Disney is acknowledging different types of modern lifestyles, although part of the Disney magic is the escapism that's really not present here. Not that every one has to be heads-in-the-clouds entertainment, but sometimes that's why folks go to the movies after all, isn't it?
It almost seems aimed at a more mature audience, referencing slightly older films like "Jaws" and "Star Trek", while having almost only old Elvis Presley songs in the soundtrack. That's right, no singing or dancing here, just a little dialogue-less destructive alien and a dysfunctional kid in Hawaii trying to find their place in the world.
Writer/director Chris Sanders ("Mulan") and co-director Dean Deblois are fairly new to the game, but that's probably what Disney needs. The sugary-sweet animated almost-musicals that have worked in the past needed a little updating and rethinking to connect with kids today and it seems to have worked. This is one that kids and adults can enjoy alike. While probably not destined for the "classic" tag that the company is hoping for, it's still pretty entertaining. If this sounds interesting to you, check it out. If you're expecting big musical numbers and sweet, loveable characters, you might do best with the older Disney films.