Review rated by 14 Ciao members on average: very helpful
A few things I need to set straight first:
I am not a child, I do not have any children, I usually hate Disney films.
Ok, now that's out of the way, I will continue. I didn't know anything about Lilo and Stitch when I first saw it. Two friends and my sister had said I should see it and in the end what convinced me was the fact that I could see it for free. So you see, I wasn't exactly convinced going in.
Plot Summary: Genetically engineered alien is sent into exile but escapes to earth. Is adopted by Lilo (small Hawaiian girl) and attempts to evade capture - with hilarious results.
Ok, it sounds like it could be your average Disney drivel, and I know lots of people think that's fine, but lots of others avoid it on principle. So if you're a Disney hater - like me - there are a few things you should know. Firstly, this isn't you average heroine. Lilo doesn't come from a conventional family, but she also isn't a poor abandoned orphan, she's a bit more complicated than that. The animation isn't just standard Disney, while it does slightly resemble Pocahontas,
and the women are refreshingly chubby. What I'm trying to say is - don't think of it as a Disney film - just a film.
Right. Running time: 85 minutes. It's not long, but it's a kids film too so you'd expect that. If you have children, use them as an excuse to see it, if you don't buy it on DVD over the Internet so no one has to see you with it.
Anyway, I saw it for the first time for free - lucky me, and I have to say - it left me with tears in my eyes (that doesn't happen very often). I don't want to give away any of the story so instead:
CAST:
Chris Sanders (III) - Not only the voice of Stitch but also had the idea wrote and directed it. I'd never heard of him before but have since discovered he worked on Mulan and Beauty and the Beast. This seems to have been almost entirely his baby, one I'm sure he's very proud of.
Daveigh Chase - Lilo. Born in 1990 Miss Chase already has a frighteningly bulging CV. She excels as Lilo.
Tia Carrere - Nani. The star of Relic Hunter goes back to her Hawaiian roots to voice Nani - Lilo's older sister.
Ving Rhames - Mr. Cobra Bubbles. This really has to be seen to be believed.
Jason Scott Lee - David. Another Hawaiian actor to play Nani's love interest.
All these characters are animated in the style of Chris Sanders' original ideas. This means the characters have a slightly more original look than every other cartoon around.
Now for my favourite bit - SOUNDTRACK. Take a base of Elvis and add a spot of Mark Keali'i Ho'omalu and the Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus and what do you get? A really stylish and original musical journey that compliments the film's setting perfectly. And you'll find yourself humming it for days...
Having seen it once - I was hooked - so as a special present my boyfriend bought me the DVD. So here are a few notes on that.
I'll start with saying that I think I have the Canadian version. Special features: Build and Alien Experiment Game - Fairly simplistic game, might keep an eight year old occupied for 10 minutes at the most. DisneyPedia: Hawaii - Lilo and Nani take you on a tour of the Hawaiian Islands with information ranging from geographical features, culture, history and animals. A Stitch in Time - Classic Disney films with Stitch making "unexpected" appearances. Deleted Scenes - self-explanatory. On Location With the Directors - Watch the directors work. The Young Voices of Hawaii - See the Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus in action [this is my favourite one] Animating the Hula - Step by step taking the filming of real hula dancers through to the animated versions. [this is my second favourite]. "Burning Love": Behind the Scenes with Wynonna - Female version of Elvis talks and sings. A*Teens Music Video "I Can't Help Falling in Love With You" - I haven't watched this funnily enough. Trailers - 4 Lilo & Stitch Inter-stitch-als How-To-Hula Lessons - Yay! Now I can Hula, ok I can't it's more complicated than that. French and Spanish Language Tracks - Self-explanatory. DVD-ROM - Again, I haven't used this yet. I'll update this when I get around to looking at it. Technical specs: 1.66:1 - Enhanced for 16x9 Televisions. I'll admit I don't really know what this means, I could take a good guess but I'd probably make a fool of myself but I thought some of you might know. Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. I'm pretty sure this is standard now, but it's there if you're worried.
The DVD wasn't a disappointment. I've watched the film at least five times since I got it, and the special features are great.
In general, there are so many reasons why the film works. The Hawaiian setting gives it a difference and some unique story opportunities. The dramatic scenery provides an exciting backdrop for the rag-tag bunch of characters to romp through. I won't pretend there's an intellectual underpinning to the story, because it's just a bit of fun. But if you're after 85 minutes to make you laugh and cry and possibly keep your children quiet, this is my recommendation.
So please, please, please go and see Lilo and Stitch. I know you'll like it.
![Lilo&Stitch [DVD] [2002]](http://images.ciao.com/ide/images/icons/no_pic_generic_S1.gif){kind=icon}
21.02.2003 20:28
good op :)
21.02.2003 18:16
Great review, what a nice Boyfriend you must have to buy this for you! I love the film and agree the soundtrack is both original and brilliant.
21.02.2003 18:03
Less in agreement with you here, I'm afraid. I quite liked the child welfare agency guy though!