In a sentenceA small alien makes a reasonable case for being the second most difficult person in the household
In Hawaii, Lilo (voiced by Daveigh Chase) is at odds with her sister Nani (Tia Carrere). She finds an unlikely friend in Stitch (Chris Sanders), an alien with pursuers of his own. Lilo wants companionship, but getting along with Nani is already difficult, and Stitch gives the sisters something else to contend with. His alien captors bring a science-fiction chase into the middle of their family quarrels. As Lilo grows attached to Stitch, the sisters face the difficulty of making room for a companion who does not readily fit into their lives.
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Lilo & Stitch gives its family quarrels as much attention as its alien mischief, and earns its sentiment. The pursuit gets tiresome, but the voices and watercolour backgrounds make this a warm recommendation.
Lilo & Stitch is a funny, tender family film that occasionally gets distracted by the business of chasing an alien. We recommend it for the friendship and the quarrels, both of which Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois take seriously without making them solemn. Their Hawaiian setting allows a sense of everyday life to survive alongside the science-fiction commotion. There are people here with things to do and disagreements to finish, even when the plot would prefer another interruption.
Daveigh Chase makes Lilo’s difficult streak funny without asking us to excuse everything she does. Her voice can be demanding and blunt, and the writing does not insist that every awkward remark conceal some convenient wisdom. Tia Carrere gives Nani enough exasperation to make their arguments feel like conversations that started before we arrived. We were moved by the sisters’ quarrelling, because both voices let affection remain audible when neither character is being especially kind. The film lets them be cross with each other for longer than a tidier family comedy might.
Chris Sanders also voices Stitch, and understands how much comedy can come from making the creature sound difficult to reason with. The performance is funny without smoothing away the strangeness that makes the friendship interesting. Stitch’s design gives the animators a character whose misbehaviour is pleasurable to watch, even when the gag itself is slight. The bond with Lilo grows out of their awkwardness, and the writing wisely leaves some of that awkwardness in place when it begins asking for our sympathy.
Paul A. Felix’s production design is a substantial part of the welcome. The watercolour backgrounds make Hawaii feel like a place worth paying attention to between jokes. Their softness leaves room for the characters’ broad expressions without making every part of the picture compete for attention. There is pleasure in simply looking at the setting, even when the alien comedy begins to feel repetitive.
Darren T. Holmes keeps the film brisk across its 85 minutes, though the pace can feel impatient around the sisters’ arguments. We wanted more time with them before returning to the science-fiction business. Alan Silvestri’s music sometimes presses the tenderness too hard, although its warmth suits these characters. The Elvis songs provide some welcome swagger, loosening up a film whose music can otherwise seem too eager to make a touching moment register.
The weaker writing belongs to the alien captors. Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois get fewer laughs from these interruptions, and the pursuit starts to feel like something the film has promised to supply regardless of how well the family story is going. The comedy becomes busier, with less surprise in the jokes. This is a noticeable weakness in such a short film, though it never quite displaces the pleasure of spending time with Lilo and Stitch.
Family animation often hurries to make difficult behaviour acceptable, supplying an explanation and a correction before anyone has become too uncomfortable. This film gives its characters enough room to remain awkward, which makes the affection between them convincing. It also trusts us to care about an argument without needing someone to win it. Choose it for family viewing without expecting the family on screen to set an example.
Most critics respond warmly to Lilo & Stitch, with praise clustering around its Hawaiian setting, watercolour backgrounds and unlikely central friendship. The animation’s inviting atmosphere earns repeated approval, while several reviews find the culturally specific setting a refreshing change of pace for Disney. The stronger notices also value the film’s modest scale and emotional warmth, finding believable characters and mature themes beneath the alien mischief. Stitch’s wit and distinctive design attract praise too.
The spread is fairly wide, with humour and consistency dividing opinion more than the artwork. Total Film enjoys the adventure but finds weaknesses in the plot and comedy, judging it better suited to children than adults. Eye for Film admires the sharp script while finding the energy and emotional restraint uneven. The Guardian is the clearest dissent, acknowledging the cheerful tone but finding the film disappointing. The consensus is favourable, though enthusiasm is far from uniform.
Gonzalez finds the film warm, intimate, and subversive, ultimately praising its heartfelt message. He singles out the lovingly rendered island rhythms and cultural influences, along with Stitch’s sharp wit.
Read the full review →The critic finds the film fresh and delightful, praising its energetic humor and emotional warmth. He singles out the vivid watercolor backgrounds and the film’s culturally specific Hawaiian setting.
Read the full review →McCarthy finds the film a refreshing, agreeably modest change of pace for Disney animation. He especially praises its lovely watercolor backgrounds, which give the film an inviting atmosphere.
Read the full review →Thomas finds the film enjoyable, with its sentiment made more effective by mature themes and believable characters. He particularly praises the confident animation and Elvis songs, while noting that the alien captors provide fewer laughs than intended.
Read the full review →Ebert gives the film a positive review. He singles out its distinctive Hawaiian setting and endearing characters.
Read the full review →Mitchell’s review is positive about the film. It highlights the Hawaiian setting and the unlikely friendship at its center.
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The Iron GiantAnother unlikely friendship that lets an alarming creature earn our affection.
My Neighbour TotoroPatient attention to sisters whose difficult feelings deserve more than a lesson.
Ernest & CelestineSoftly drawn outsiders find company, with enough mischief to keep sentiment honest.
The KidAn improvised family faces real hardship without losing its appetite for trouble.
Song of the SeaSibling friction and hand-drawn landscapes make the fantasy feel close to home.
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