Lilo and Stitch (2002)

Lilo and Stitch (2002)

8/10

Starring

Chris Sanders

Daveigh Chase

Tia Carrere

Ving Rhames

 

Directed by Chris Sanders

 

This movie is one of the most underrated gems from the mouse house. It didn’t have the regular protagonist—we had Lilo. A little girl with a taste in music beyond her years and a brave, unique view of the world. These qualities set this movie on a pedestal.

When Lilo & Stitch came out in 2002, it was different from what we were used to from Disney. The plot was edgier, the characters were sharp and brave, and there was no princess or damsel needing rescuing, no island in peril, and no treasure hunt adventure. Instead, it was about a weird little family made up of two sisters—the older one raising the younger—and their family expanded to include a very destructive and dangerous alien life form.

What I will never forget about this movie is the soundtrack. It blasted good old Elvis songs throughout its runtime. The artwork was fantastic, and the sci-fi setting felt fresh and different. This is one of the few standout animations Disney made between the end of their Renaissance with Tarzan (1999) and their return to form in 2008 with Bolt.

The story takes place in Hawaii, where a young woman named Nani is struggling to care for her energetic and independent little sister, Lilo, after the death of their parents. Meanwhile, elsewhere in the universe, a scientist from an alien race creates a creature through genetic mutation, naming it Experiment 626. The scientist faces sanctions for his crimes, and 626 is sentenced to be banished to an abandoned asteroid. However, the creature escapes, steals a spacecraft, and crash-lands on Earth. Disguised as a dog, 626 is caught by animal control and placed in a shelter.

Nani decides that the best way to cheer Lilo up is to get her a dog. They visit the shelter, and Lilo chooses 626—an odd, ugly creature that’s far too strong to be a regular pet. She names him Stitch. While Stitch hides out with Lilo, trying to figure out his next move, aliens are sent to Earth to capture him. They struggle to complete their mission without being noticed, while Stitch tries to evade capture by blending into his new life with Lilo. Meanwhile, a military-minded alien is determined to catch him, no matter what.

In the end, you’ll always have fond memories of this movie. Watching it now, I noticed that it took a while to get started and then ended a bit too quickly, but everything still adds up to a fantastic animation that deserves far more recognition than it gets.