Lilo & Stitch

When an orphaned Hawaiian girl named Lilo (Daveigh Chase) attempts to adopt what she think is a dog, she accidentally ends up with an alien creature who she calls Stitch (Chris Sanders). However, as Stitch is actually a genetic mutation programmed for destruction and has escaped to Earth to avoid imprisonment, its not long before the two scientists involved (David Ogden Stiers and Kevin McDonald) try to take him back. As Lilo and Stitch bond, they stir up trouble for older sister-come-guardian, Nani (Tia Carrere), Nani’s maybe-boyfriend, David (Jason Scott Lee) and ominous social-worker, Cobra Bubbles (Ving Rhames).

When you see the brand stamp of Disney on a motion picture, it’s automatic to assume it’ll be of a certain standard. After all, they’ve been making movies for a long time and have given us many of the best (The Jungle Book, Aladdin, The Lion King, this list could go on). Indeed, it is a measure of Disney’s quality that even when one of their releases is slightly off the mark, it still results in an entertaining experience.

Unfortunately/thankfully, Lilo and Stitch falls into this category. Though it won’t rank among the best in the Disney canon, it’s still funny, charming and more than worth 80 minutes of your reality-television-worshiping lives.

Largely, the reason for this is Stitch. Voiced by creator/writer/co-director, Chris Sanders (busy much?), the small blue alien is amongst the most memorable characters in the animated kingdom and lights up the screen whenever he’s given the chance. With floppy ears and four arms that can be tucked away, the loveable creature goes from rough-edged to civilised (kind of like Rocky Balboa in Rocky III) with the help of his new family and is a quick study who picks up words and concepts.

However, as a side-effect of Stitch’s entertainment value, the movie flags whenever he’s not on screen. In between his appearances there are just too many aliens, spaceships and zany moments that don’t get as many laughs as the creators would obviously like. On these occasions, we’re simply waiting for the tiny dog-like fellow to grace us with his presence again.

As for the usual ‘take home’ concepts that Disney wants tots to think about, we have the notions of alienation, isolation and trouble fitting in. Though this might make it sound like the latest Superman movie, Lilo and Stitch actually bears more likeness to Spielberg romp ET (lonely child strikes up a friendship with an alien) and Robin Williams' yarn Mrs Doubtfire (single parent family overcomes adversity) as it tunnels into our hearts.

In support is a group of non-A-list actors who do a credible job in their respective roles. Rhames uses his deep tones to good effect as resident man in black, Scott Lee is subtle though underused as the surfing shoulder to cry on and Carrere is appropriately big-sisterly.

As for the animation, it’ll probably divide viewers. Despite being solid and pleasing on the eye without being showy, the bright hand-painted look that would have been marvelled over in Disney’s golden-age seems too old-school now and doesn’t compare to the contemporary artwork knocked out by Pixar on a regular basis.

Overall, Lilo and Stitch is proof that even when the guys behind Mickey Mouse don’t hit top stride, they can still deliver a decent motion picture. When it comes to Disney, it seems that ohana means no movie gets left behind.