Animated Amelie-Like Perfection

Rating: Null/10 (24 June 2002)

Smart, warm, and refreshing, Lilo & Stitch makes up for years of Disney mediocrity and then some. I just wish it was an hour longer. All of the characters, from Mr. Bubbles to Stitch himself, are highly compelling and ultimately likable. This is a well-designed film -- both visually and in terms of plot/characters. A triumph for any studio let alone Disney, who really needs a crowd-pleaser right about now.
I went in expecting to dislike Lilo & Stitch. I think like most folks, I'm tired of the saccharine, cookie-cutter musicals and the regurgitated plots Disney has spit out over the years. Likewise, the pop-culture-reference laden Shrek and its "wink-wink, nudge-nudge" ilk lack an epic feel and are destined to seem 'dated' at some point. And I love a Pixar film as much as the next guy/gal, but all of those entries save the original Toy Story feel somewhat disposable.
Lilo & Stitch is the most enchanting film I've seen since Amelie. In some ways, Lilo's eccentricities reminded me of the Amelie character -- Lilo's treasured snapshot collection; her self-made doll; her trip to bring a sandwich to the fish.
But it's because of the rich characters that the animation seems so complimentary to the story. This is a welcome departure from 'business as usual,' where the story does nothing but propel snazzy animation.
I'd also like to say that I think Disney did itself a disservice by poking fun of its past successes in the Lilo & Stitch trailers. I think they almost took the anti-Disney barbs seen in Shrek TOO seriously. The trailers really turned me off to the film. I was expecting a self-parody in the tradition of (the beat-to-death) Animaniacs -- the type of film that I had no interest in seeing. Lilo & Stitch stands on its own as a classic. I'm so glad I gave it a shot despite Disney's childish, self-referential advertising campaign.