Lilo & Stitch film review

certificate_PG

LILO & STITCH

In the magic world of animation there are no rules. Anything can be done and convention doesn't apply. It's why you are able to team a troublesome alien with a defiant schoolgirl and create an irresistible partnership. In Lilo and Stitch, Disney has come up with two refreshingly original characters who are worthy additions to Disney's stable of memorable animated stars.

Although Lilo & Stitch is aimed squarely at kids, there are plenty of laughs for grown-ups and an admirable lack of sentimentality. Indeed, one of the film's best features is its somewhat feisty and irreverent nature. Any film where an alien is introduced to the delights of Elvis Presley deserves major kudos. Another striking feature is the film's style of animation which, with its vivid watercolour appearance, reflects the lush tropical feel of its Hawaiian setting.

Stitch (Chris Sanders)'s journey from outer space to Hawaii begins on Planet Turo where he is the outcome of an illegal genetic experiment. Considered too violent, he is locked up before escaping to Earth, a place that according to Turo's rulers is inhabited by extremely simple creatures and is essentially a reserve for mosquitos. Crash landing in Hawaii, he is adopted by the young Lilo (Daveigh Chase), who is oblivious to the fear the little creature instils in everyone else. Much of the film's humour derives from Lilo's attempts to domesticate her new little blue pet.

Despite their more obvious differences, it's what Lilo and Stitch have in common that bonds them. Neither have parents, with Lilo being looked after by her older sister Nani (Tia Carrere) who's doing her best to convince the meddling social worker Cobra Bubbles (Ving Rhames) that she's fit to mind her little sister. Nani has a fire-eating boyfriend, David (Jason Scott Lee) and when the four get together to enjoy activities like surfing, it fills Lilo and Stitch with the spirit of ohana (family) that they'd been seeking.

Although Lilo & Stitch deals with the theme of family, where "nobody gets left behind," it never allows itself to get too cute. Instead it shows Stitch spoofing Godzilla as he wrecks a model of San Francsico and donning a white jumpsuit to impersonate The King. On this evidence at least, Lilo and Stitch look to have a more promising career in the movies than their hero.