Review of Lilo & Stitch (2002) by Nigel D — 10 Jul 2009

This is probably my favorite modern Disney animated film. (Well, certainly from the 2000s, which I suppose is not saying too much....) Maybe it doesn't deserve the "masterpiece" status of movies like "The Little Mermaid", "Beauty and the Beast" and "Aladdin" ("The Lion King" will forever be the best hand-drawn animated movie of all time), but "Lilo & Stitch" has an irreverent wit that I just love.

This movie has a truly unique visual style that I adore; it doesn't look like any other Disney film. There's no statuesque princess, no dashing prince. All the characters are just a little bit...ugly, I suppose, and to me that makes the film feel just a little more real. And it's got a great story: Stitch is a rude, crude dude who learns about the importance of family. Through the course of the film, both he and Lilo discover where they truly belong. What could be more beautiful than that?

I'm not ashamed to admit I've seen this movie at least a dozen times. (Finally exposed my kids to it; they liked it too.) "Lilo & Stitch" holds a special place in my heart alongside "The Lion King" and "Finding Nemo" as one of the greatest animated films of all time.