Hey folks, Harry here... I've been on the trail of LILO & STITCH for years now. Sir Etch-A-Sketch, Jim Hill and others had been talking it up for quite some time. I've talked with some animators on it, and reportedly the suits decided to let the animators and the directors of this one go. It wasn't tested to within an inch of its life. I love the look of the film, and I'm very curious to see the final film. Right now, Eternia Lad speaks in loud blissful terms about the movie, which personally I don't doubt for a second. It actually goes along with everything I've heard about this film. However, this summer there is another classic 2D animated film that is coming that has a sterling recommendation from all that have seen it. SPIRIT from Dreamworks. Is this the summer where 2D gets it back together again? Let's hope so. Here ya go....
Hey there Harry... I went to a screening of Lilo and Stitch last week... the near completed film was in the ABC building on Riverside Drive. There was no talking by anyone before hand... so we were left to our own thoughts and preconceptions, of which I had none. The review below is moderately spoiled... but nothing that will ruin the filmed experience. I encourage anyone to see this film... and go in a clean slate.
It opens to a very unique "Disneyfied" intergalactic environment... where every character is either cute or cool. There's no average looking aliens. We are immediately treated to the trial of Stitch, a seemingly adorable little blue fuzz ball just begging to be stuffed and sold by Hasbro. An exciting verdict, and ingenious escape and the movie is off and running. All this before the opening credits. And what a beautiful opening credit sequence. Set to a beautiful Hawaiian hula lesson, we are introduced to Lilo... and may I say... THANK YOU DISNEY FOR MAKING A REAL CHARACTER! This girl has issues. The film makers had no fears about showing the effects of parental loss on a 6 year old. She punches little girls, she bites, she yells horrible things at her desperately paranoid sister. And it's adorable. You are immediately affected by her pathos and heartbreak... and you understand why she is an unholy terror. This little girl needs a good hug, and someone to love her. Disney could have been really heavy handed with this... but it was subtle. Sweet, and delicate... relying instead on her eccentricities to allow the audience to understand her alienation. The genius film makers allow you to understand both Lilo and the girls who make fun of her. Lilo is a very odd girl. She feeds a fish Sandwiches because she believes that he controls the weather, she imagines her handmade doll has a head full of bug eggs, and this little girl can lip sync Heartbreak Hotel like no body's business. I can't rave about this fully realized character any more... she is the best and most heartfelt character Disney has created in recent years.
Crash, Bam, Alakazam- Stitch crashes on the Island of Kauaii. Because the little guy's molecular structure is so dense, he can't swim- he'll sink... so in essence he's trapped. On his trail are the mad scientist who created him (bargained by a government pardon) and his little worm-like earth expert. Trying to recapture the little mutant, they try to remain unseen by humans. Stitch has one involuntary instinct... destroy cities. However... his instinct for survival is just as strong and he eludes his captors by sucking in his extra arms, antennae and spines, and poses as a puppy. A Weird blue puppy.
Lilo's older sister Nani (voiced by Tia Careera) tries to understand her sister's loneliness and thinks about getting her a puppy. Lilio of course being the eccentric that she is... finds the odd little alien the most appealing pup there. And against everyone's advice... agrees to adopt this one. Now from this point on... the film relies on many familiar plot devices: Fish out of water, the chase and elude, and the emotional changing of two people despite the world against them... however it does these things better than any film in recent history.
This film has so many good things going for it, that to list them all would be 3 pages worth of text. I'll sum it up like this... CREATIVELY: This film is incredibly original, yet familiar and comforting. There are many clever jokes (that don't play to the lowest level). Gorgeous visuals (All of the backgrounds in Hawaii are hand painted in WATER COLORS!). Real Characters! This is the first time since Lion King that Disney Characters have had issues... one of my biggest gripes is that Disney has been turning out cookie cutter characters with no growth... well these people suffer... and engage you from the get go. Even the design is a departure for Disney... These girls got girth! They are not the anorexic waifs that Disney tells us are attractive... They are full figured, healthy Hawaiian girls with shape and tone. God Bless them! Whoever thought to combine Aliens, Surfing, Elvis Music and Animation must be on some good prescriptions... but guess what... IT WORKS! On every level where it could have been ridiculous and inane it achieves every blessed goal it attempted. And the Elvis soundtrack is Awesome... including the cover of Burning Love by Wynona (no, the other Wynona - she paid for the rights to the song!) over the great end credits. We left the theater beaming. I was with skeptic critic types, and hard nosed Disney haters... and we couldn't stop smiling. We all kept saying... "Finally... something worthy of the legacy!" TECHNICALLY: This is a very satisfying film for all the tech heads that plan to pick it apart. I honestly couldn't notice any CG, though I assume they used it for the space chase. The amazing lip sync and animation is so honest, sincere, and accurate that you almost forget these characters are 2 dimensional. I was completely in awe of the blending of Elvis music and Hawaiian songs. There's no "Disney" music. It's all traditional Hawaiian standards that will open some of our youth to the Polynesian culture. And Let's hope it turns some people on to the King. The comedy isn't forced or juvenile. It's great set up and pay-off. A few good one liners and hilarious awkward scenarios. I can't praise the script enough.
Over all, this movie will re-establish Disney as the leader and inventor of Film Animation. Once in a while another studio will come along with a hit... but Disney is the staple. They had a dark period there from Pocahontas till now... but They are back... and let's hope they stay there. I hope Treasure Planet maintains the momentum that Lilo will start. And if successful (or should I say "when") maybe Disney will take a note that a successful film can be an original idea, it doesn't need catchy new songs, it doesn't need big effects and big boobs... all it needs is a great story. Spend a little time Disney... get the script perfect before a pencil hits paper. And only give us one film per year... or one every other year. We'll wait... and when they arrive... we go in droves. Ever think that Lion Kings big return was due to the 2 years between that and Aladdin??? Ok.. I'm bitching now... just enjoy it folks... it's one of those rare masterpieces that has something for everyone, and leaves you feeling great.
Eternia Lad
