Classics: A Review of Lilo and Stitch By Lauren Ennis

After nearly a century of animated adventures Walt Disney Studios has become synonymous with the magic of childhood. While the studio is best remembered for its beloved, but often formulaic tales of larger than life heroes and beautiful princesses the studio has also released numerous more original, if less renowned, efforts. One of the studio’s most unique but unfortunately unsung releases is the endearingly offbeat tale of an eccentric girl and her unusual pet; 2002’s Lilo and Stitch. At once a break with the conventions that the studio is best known for and a return to its roots, Lilo and Stitch is an ode to childhood that puts the ‘family’ in ‘family film’.

Ohana means family; family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten

The story starts with a truly out of this world beginning as an inter-galactic council decides the fate of genetic experiment number 626; a furry weapon of mass destruction gone adorably awry. The council ultimately sentences 626’s creator to prison while 626 himself is placed on death row. Fortunately for viewers if not for the council, 626 is far more resourceful than his wide eyes would suggest, and he quickly escapes to the distant planet earth.  After crash landing in Hawaii, 626 bides his time hiding in an animal shelter where he is mistaken for a dog. Meanwhile, unconventional young Lilo and her older sister, Nani, struggle to cope with the recent deaths of their parents. When Lilo’s oddball behavior derails the pair’s interview with a street-smart social worker, Nani desperately searches for a way to manage her sister and make their empty house back into a home. This search ultimately leads the sisters to the local animal shelter where Lilo immediately attaches herself to its most notorious animal; none other than 626 whom she dubs ‘Stitch’. The unlikely trio then embark upon an series of madcap adventures as Stitch tries to stay one step ahead of galactic bounty-hunters while Lilo and Nani struggle to win over their social worker. Over the course of the film both Lilo and Stitch take a journey into the deepest depths of the human heart as they learn the true meaning of family.

Released between the end of the ‘Disney Renaissance’ of the 1990’s and the rise of Pixar’s now dominant computer animation, Lilo and Stitch arrived at a time when Disney had reached a crucial crossroads. When the fairytale formula that the studio had come to rely upon began to lose its luster the studio was forced to re-evaluate its position in a changing market. During this period of transition the studio needed to find a way to break new ground without alienating its established fan base. In an effort to strike this difficult balance the studio looked both ahead to the futuristic adventures of sci-fi while simultaneously seeking inspiration from some of its own pre-1990’s classics. The result was a film that remains unlike anything else in the Disney cannon.



I bet Lassie doesn't have those moves

The film’s greatest strength lies in the way in which it takes the familiar Disney elements that fans know and love and subverts them into something entirely unique. For example the use of traditional watercolor animation brilliantly captures the lush landscapes of modern Hawaii, while harkening back to such pre-computer studio classics as Dumbo. Simultaneously, however, the animators also lend the visuals a refreshingly modern twist through the character designs, with heroines who have realistic proportions and curves that are a stark departure from the studio’s Barbie-esque princesses. Similarly, the plot merges both the old and new by juxtaposing the science fiction action of Stitch’s adventure with the timeless tale of a lonely child and her pet to create a story that will have something for the entire family. Even the film’s soundtrack, a toe-tapping blend of modern Hawaiian and classic Elvis, adds a unique dynamic as it transports viewers into the characters’ world and mentality (grieving Lilo seeks solace in the music of her hero, Elvis), while breaking with Disney’s tradition of Broadway style show-tunes. The script’s greatest departure from studio tradition lends the film its most endearing aspect; the depth and realism of its characters. Unlike traditional Disney characters who were designed to provide young viewers with idealized role models, Lilo, Stitch, and Nani are characters who children can relate to rather than merely aspire to. While all of the characters prove likeable, each possesses flaws and quirks, which in turn keeps their often outlandish journey grounded in realism. As a result, viewers will be bound to see many of their own experiences reflected in misunderstood Lilo, stressed-out Nani, and destructive Stitch, and can easily find inspiration in the characters’ eventual triumphs. Originally advertised as Disney’s ‘black sheep’, this story of a girl and her ‘dog’ gleefully dances to the beat of its own ukulele, earning it a place amongst the best in American animation.

Easily one of the most original films released by Disney, Lilo and Stitch is an ode to anyone who couldn’t fit in because they were born to stand out. Through its breathtaking animation, infectious music, and engaging voice performances, the film weaves a fantastic tale that pays apt tribute to the best Disney classics while still breaking new ground in family animation. For an animated adventure with a little more action, join Lilo and Stitch for a truly out of this world animation experience that is guaranteed to satisfy.

Now that is what I call a rockin' soundtrack