God DAMN!
Best disney flick in a LONG time! Definitely the one from the last..oh..twelve years that I most reccomend.
It's not smarmy, it's not sugary, it's not mind-numbingly cute and happy...It's got little of what puts most people off of disney flicks.
Kendra's Kitty Korner Movie Review:
Five paws out of five!
I just saw Lilo and Stitch
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Kendrakirai
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BJ
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Yes yes YES! SEE? I wasn't just pulling your leg!
Joey was at Rotten Tomatoes last night scanning reviews. It seems the only people who don't like the film have several things going on: 1) They have some strange thing against Disney and gave positive reviews to the technically superb but otherwise ho-hum Dreamworks film "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron" while panning L&S 2) They wanted songs and cute sidekicks (the latter, of course, is mocked in the film) 3) These same people have a history of disliking Disney BECAUSE of the songs and cute sidekicks and 4) They like the soulless dazzlers (the Matrix, Star Wars: The Phantom Meanace) that are high on SFX and low on character and plot.
One of the reviewers absolutely hated L&S, but loved Shallow Hal. There ya go.
And you're also right: it's not sweet or cute. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd say this is the first Disney animated feature to show...
Physical violence (actually, outright abuse) between siblings
A broken, dysfunctional family that isn't happy "just to have each other"
A character who exists solely to destroy...and actually DOES destroy everything
A breaking point in someone's belief in and willingness to tolerate someone else
Complex, down to earth characters who can't be summed up in an "I Want" song
Characters with weight--no snap-away waists here!
Anybody willing to add to the list or point out my flaws?
Some of my favourite lines:
"David, I'm sorry. I've got a lot to deal with right now." Lilo's sister Nani, glancing at Lilo to emphasise exactly what it is she has to deal with these days.
"I'm sorry I bit you....and pulled your hair...and punched you in the face." Lilo, trying to apologise to a friend of hers.
"This is Scrump. I made her. But her head is too big. So I pretend a bug laid eggs in her ears, and she's upset because she only has a few more days....to....." Lilo, who realises her friends have run off during her explanation.
Joey was at Rotten Tomatoes last night scanning reviews. It seems the only people who don't like the film have several things going on: 1) They have some strange thing against Disney and gave positive reviews to the technically superb but otherwise ho-hum Dreamworks film "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron" while panning L&S 2) They wanted songs and cute sidekicks (the latter, of course, is mocked in the film) 3) These same people have a history of disliking Disney BECAUSE of the songs and cute sidekicks and 4) They like the soulless dazzlers (the Matrix, Star Wars: The Phantom Meanace) that are high on SFX and low on character and plot.
One of the reviewers absolutely hated L&S, but loved Shallow Hal. There ya go.
And you're also right: it's not sweet or cute. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd say this is the first Disney animated feature to show...
Physical violence (actually, outright abuse) between siblings
A broken, dysfunctional family that isn't happy "just to have each other"
A character who exists solely to destroy...and actually DOES destroy everything
A breaking point in someone's belief in and willingness to tolerate someone else
Complex, down to earth characters who can't be summed up in an "I Want" song
Characters with weight--no snap-away waists here!
Anybody willing to add to the list or point out my flaws?
Some of my favourite lines:
"David, I'm sorry. I've got a lot to deal with right now." Lilo's sister Nani, glancing at Lilo to emphasise exactly what it is she has to deal with these days.
"I'm sorry I bit you....and pulled your hair...and punched you in the face." Lilo, trying to apologise to a friend of hers.
"This is Scrump. I made her. But her head is too big. So I pretend a bug laid eggs in her ears, and she's upset because she only has a few more days....to....." Lilo, who realises her friends have run off during her explanation.
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Mirober
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From the commercials, I was afraid that Stitch was going to be a Jar-Jar like character, i.e. high-pitched voice, mispronunciations used as a substitute for actual humor, etc. And while I think there was a little of that, I was glad to see that, for the majority of the film, Stitch doesn't actually talk.
Interesting that there weren't any real out and out villians, just people doing what they believed was for the best. The closest thing to a bad guy was the mad scientist, and he's more amoral and self-centered than actually evil. I did think the ending was a little sappy.
Anyway, yeah, I also really dug the film, and really recommend seeing it.
Interesting that there weren't any real out and out villians, just people doing what they believed was for the best. The closest thing to a bad guy was the mad scientist, and he's more amoral and self-centered than actually evil. I did think the ending was a little sappy.
Anyway, yeah, I also really dug the film, and really recommend seeing it.
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Kendrakirai
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I think one of my favorite scenes is in the opening, when the doctor is going on about how he 'would NEVER (Stitch is revealed)..make more than one...'
Then Stitch clearing his throat before addressing the council...and letting out an alien curse that actually causes a ROBOT to throw up nuts, bolts, and wires
Then the doctor "I didn't teach him that.'
I loved Stitch's building of, and subsequent obliteration of San Fancisco, complete with 'Eeee! Help me!' sounds
The ending DID seem a LITTLE bit too pat, but it's nothing that you wouldn't get from most other movies, animated or otherwise.
Oh, I forgot about this one...
'Oh good, the dog found the chainsaw.'
Said in a fairly deadpan manner, like this sort of thing happens all the time....Lilo's got remarkable coping abilities.
Then Stitch clearing his throat before addressing the council...and letting out an alien curse that actually causes a ROBOT to throw up nuts, bolts, and wires
Then the doctor "I didn't teach him that.'I loved Stitch's building of, and subsequent obliteration of San Fancisco, complete with 'Eeee! Help me!' sounds
The ending DID seem a LITTLE bit too pat, but it's nothing that you wouldn't get from most other movies, animated or otherwise.
Oh, I forgot about this one...
'Oh good, the dog found the chainsaw.'
Said in a fairly deadpan manner, like this sort of thing happens all the time....Lilo's got remarkable coping abilities.
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ZOMBIE USER 195
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Yes, Lilo does rule, along with her BigWheel-jackin' doggie!
One small, but noticable thing about this movie that set it apart from probably all Disney movies:
No stupid puns!
Not one!
Hooray!
(One of my favorite lines was when Lilo was brightly describing to the social worker how her sister disciplines her "with bricks...in pillowcases!" As Slappy Squirrel sez: Now THAT'S comedy!)
Joey, who's life actually can be summed up in an "I Want" song
One small, but noticable thing about this movie that set it apart from probably all Disney movies:
No stupid puns!
Not one!
Hooray!
(One of my favorite lines was when Lilo was brightly describing to the social worker how her sister disciplines her "with bricks...in pillowcases!" As Slappy Squirrel sez: Now THAT'S comedy!)
Joey, who's life actually can be summed up in an "I Want" song
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Kendrakirai
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It's definitely going to be a keeper when it comes out on DVD.
I went to McDonalds right after the movie for supper, and I picked up an Elvis Stitch bobble head. Hee!
And Lilo teaching Stitch to dance....
'*badump!* 'Like this!' *badump* 'OooOOooo.....'
and Nani's boyfriend being something of a dimwit...hee!
Something else that's seldom seen in disney flicks..a NON-joke character being not exactly bright.
I went to McDonalds right after the movie for supper, and I picked up an Elvis Stitch bobble head. Hee!
And Lilo teaching Stitch to dance....
'*badump!* 'Like this!' *badump* 'OooOOooo.....'
and Nani's boyfriend being something of a dimwit...hee!
Something else that's seldom seen in disney flicks..a NON-joke character being not exactly bright.
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Kendrakirai
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I just read some of the reviews on rottontomatoes.com, and you're right...most of the reviews are high average at least (B's or 4 stars out of five or better), but the ones that don't like it, seem so absolutely HATE it...I don't know what movies THEY are watching to consider Lilo and Stitch derivative and not at all appealing, but unless it's a LARGE dose of anime movies, they're on something.
What I don't understand tho, is how one reviewer (who DID like Lilo and Stich), could also applaud Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmeron.
And for the record, I thought this movie was MUCH better than the early-90's 'classics' of Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and Little Mermaid.
Nani's got the thighs of a brazzilian striker, but MM! that BUTT!
One reviewer put it nicely...it's a little more 'up front' about things...like Lilo happily telling David that her sister digs his butt.
What I don't understand tho, is how one reviewer (who DID like Lilo and Stich), could also applaud Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmeron.
And for the record, I thought this movie was MUCH better than the early-90's 'classics' of Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and Little Mermaid.
Nani's got the thighs of a brazzilian striker, but MM! that BUTT!
One reviewer put it nicely...it's a little more 'up front' about things...like Lilo happily telling David that her sister digs his butt.
BJ, You missed a few...
You missed a few Disney firsts in your list, BJ.
A character who's failures are all caused by his own success (think of the dance scene, and the Elvis impersonation).
Mosquitos as an endangered species!
Convicted criminals as heros and Law enforcement Sentients as villians.
The obese (and sunburned) as beautiful.
A character (almost) set fire to himself.
Doc
A character who waves his but at another character in a mocking fashion... twice!BJ wrote:And you're also right: it's not sweet or cute. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'd say this is the first Disney animated feature to show...
Physical violence (actually, outright abuse) between siblings
A broken, dysfunctional family that isn't happy "just to have each other"
A character who exists solely to destroy...and actually DOES destroy everything
A breaking point in someone's belief in and willingness to tolerate someone else
Complex, down to earth characters who can't be summed up in an "I Want" song
Characters with weight--no snap-away waists here!
Anybody willing to add to the list or point out my flaws?
A character who's failures are all caused by his own success (think of the dance scene, and the Elvis impersonation).
Mosquitos as an endangered species!
Convicted criminals as heros and Law enforcement Sentients as villians.
The obese (and sunburned) as beautiful.
A character (almost) set fire to himself.
Doc
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Kendrakirai
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I can't be certain, but I'd say 'extremely tight cutoff denim shorts' is a first for disney in Lilo and Stitch
A title character whose first reaction to being called crazy is to suckerpunch the offending personage and proceed to beat the crap out of them.
A token white girl, instead of the other way around.
Truckjacking!
A character who in his first five minutes on earth gets run over...five times....by very large trucks. Who isn't an indestructable joke character. (Okay, he IS indestructible, but he's not a joke character, like the genie, Carpet, Iago, apu in aladdin, sebastian in little mermaid, the gargoyles (that was *REALLY* stupid if you ask me) in Hunchback...
Puking robots. I don't think I've ever seen a puking robot before.
joke characters who are actually useful without it seeming tacked on and out of place (Muushuu in Mulan...puh-leeze.)
A character who DOESN'T spout anachronisms! (Genie, Muushuu, I'm sure there's others.)
Characters who don't seem to be tacked on just for gags (Okay, Pleakley KIND of counts, but they needed an 'expert' on Earth, and he's the closest they've got...on such short notice at least
Elvis! The real one too, not some joke about him!
A defeated villian who isn't vanquished by sheer pluck and determination but raw, unaduterated power.
A pair of characters who actually mirror one another! I liked that. A lot of parallels between Lilo and Stitch and the token whitey and the big shark guy. (Well that's what he looks like to me. That or a manta ray without the wings)
Continuity! Something that happens early on bears a critical role near the end! (The Aladdin thing doesn't quite count...it's just something genie says.)
The ads! Lilo and Stitch get major kudos for having Stitch pick up Jasmine from under Al's nose
No frickin' songs! (Well, the 'aloha' song is there, but that doesn't REALLY count...and neither does the Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride..that's more of a theme for an afternoon of fun than anything else)
All in all, it's definitely a keeper when it comes out on DVD, even if it *IS* going to be overpriced with few features, like all disney flicks.
I just adore Lilo...she's got amazing coping skills, doesn't she? 'Wow. San Francisco.' like it happens all the time. The only time she actually seems shocked (not betrayed) is when she finds out Stitch is a walking ghramaphone.
Evil koala. hee.
A title character whose first reaction to being called crazy is to suckerpunch the offending personage and proceed to beat the crap out of them.
A token white girl, instead of the other way around.
Truckjacking!
A character who in his first five minutes on earth gets run over...five times....by very large trucks.
Who isn't an indestructable joke character. (Okay, he IS indestructible, but he's not a joke character, like the genie, Carpet, Iago, apu in aladdin, sebastian in little mermaid, the gargoyles (that was *REALLY* stupid if you ask me) in Hunchback...Puking robots. I don't think I've ever seen a puking robot before.
joke characters who are actually useful without it seeming tacked on and out of place (Muushuu in Mulan...puh-leeze.)
A character who DOESN'T spout anachronisms! (Genie, Muushuu, I'm sure there's others.)
Characters who don't seem to be tacked on just for gags (Okay, Pleakley KIND of counts, but they needed an 'expert' on Earth, and he's the closest they've got...on such short notice at least
Elvis! The real one too, not some joke about him!
A defeated villian who isn't vanquished by sheer pluck and determination but raw, unaduterated power.
A pair of characters who actually mirror one another! I liked that. A lot of parallels between Lilo and Stitch and the token whitey and the big shark guy. (Well that's what he looks like to me. That or a manta ray without the wings)
Continuity! Something that happens early on bears a critical role near the end! (The Aladdin thing doesn't quite count...it's just something genie says.)
The ads! Lilo and Stitch get major kudos for having Stitch pick up Jasmine from under Al's nose
No frickin' songs! (Well, the 'aloha' song is there, but that doesn't REALLY count...and neither does the Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride..that's more of a theme for an afternoon of fun than anything else)
All in all, it's definitely a keeper when it comes out on DVD, even if it *IS* going to be overpriced with few features, like all disney flicks.
I just adore Lilo...she's got amazing coping skills, doesn't she? 'Wow. San Francisco.' like it happens all the time.
The only time she actually seems shocked (not betrayed) is when she finds out Stitch is a walking ghramaphone. Evil koala. hee.
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Officer Flubbo
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I took my S/O out to see this, at her request. Having not touched a Disney flick in years (can't stand them), I expected something lighthearted but sappy; with humor that only the adults could appreciate, but a childish execution; in short, typical Disney fare.
I was wrong.
Right from the get-go the movie impressed me; Disney appears to have finally discovered that a) there are other demographics besides white folks and anthropomorphic animals; b) those demographics have their own unique cultures, but are still people; and c) it IS okay for them to make a good film.
The total lack of in-character spontaneous singing was refreshing. The protagonist struck chords for both my S/O and myself in terms of childhood experiences. There were aliens; most of them just anthropomorphic animals, but they were still serious characters. There was a plot, and it was tolerable (that's an understatement, but it can't be said for a lot of Disney work). I didn't notice them blatantly ripping anything off unless they were paying tribute to it. The Godzilla reference was great. The dialogue was either emotionally deep, interesting, or just plain hilarious ("Oh good. The dog found the chainsaw.") The visual gags were pretty good overall.
I don't know if I can say enough about this film. I'm still unsure as to what to make of it; it's so different from Disney's usual fare that it's really in a class by itself. Maybe the folks at the big D were, in typical fashion, trying to mimic the style of TALENTED animation filmmakers, but amazingly, they suceeded in their own right. Definitely worth two full-price tickets.
I was wrong.
Right from the get-go the movie impressed me; Disney appears to have finally discovered that a) there are other demographics besides white folks and anthropomorphic animals; b) those demographics have their own unique cultures, but are still people; and c) it IS okay for them to make a good film.
The total lack of in-character spontaneous singing was refreshing. The protagonist struck chords for both my S/O and myself in terms of childhood experiences. There were aliens; most of them just anthropomorphic animals, but they were still serious characters. There was a plot, and it was tolerable (that's an understatement, but it can't be said for a lot of Disney work). I didn't notice them blatantly ripping anything off unless they were paying tribute to it. The Godzilla reference was great. The dialogue was either emotionally deep, interesting, or just plain hilarious ("Oh good. The dog found the chainsaw.") The visual gags were pretty good overall.
I don't know if I can say enough about this film. I'm still unsure as to what to make of it; it's so different from Disney's usual fare that it's really in a class by itself. Maybe the folks at the big D were, in typical fashion, trying to mimic the style of TALENTED animation filmmakers, but amazingly, they suceeded in their own right. Definitely worth two full-price tickets.
I just saw L&S yesterday (I say yesterday, because it's now nearly 4 am.), and to my suprise, I rather enjoyed the movie. About time Disney did something right. I missed the first few minutes, though, due to unusually long ticket and food lines, and came in at the part where the bridge crew are saying Stitch had stolen a police cruiser. Can anyone tell me exactly what happened in those few minutes before I came in?
Yes, yes, I know, it's been less than an hour since I made my presence known on this board, and I'm already making a nuisance of myself. Nyah.
Yes, yes, I know, it's been less than an hour since I made my presence known on this board, and I'm already making a nuisance of myself. Nyah.
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BJ
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You just missed Jumba's trial. He's brought before the Council on charges that he's been illegally dabbling in genetics and has created a "monstrous" life form. He denies it and is presented with Stitch, whom he explains IS a genetically engineered life form ("I would never, EVER....make more than one.") created for the sole purpose of destroying everything around it. The Grand Councilwoman asks Stitch if there is anything redeemable about him, and Stitch shouts "Meega! Na la KREESTA!!" at the council, eliciting numerous fainting spells, puking and general uproar. Jumba insists he didn't teach Stitch how to say that.
Stitch is overjoyed that his potty mouth has caused such a disruption.
Jumba is taken away, and Stitch is sentenced to exile on some barren rock.
That's about where you came in, except for the section with the DNA guns--on the prison ship, they sample Stitch's DNA and load it into a pair of cannons that track and shoot at only his DNA signature. Sitch has some fun (and finds a means of escape) when he discovers that his spit contains his DNA signature, and the guns will fire on whatever he spits on. Like, say, his guard.
Stitch is overjoyed that his potty mouth has caused such a disruption.
Jumba is taken away, and Stitch is sentenced to exile on some barren rock.
That's about where you came in, except for the section with the DNA guns--on the prison ship, they sample Stitch's DNA and load it into a pair of cannons that track and shoot at only his DNA signature. Sitch has some fun (and finds a means of escape) when he discovers that his spit contains his DNA signature, and the guns will fire on whatever he spits on. Like, say, his guard.
Would've been fun to see that part.-
Appendix Q
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Saw it a couple days ago. Is now one of my top 3 Disney flicks. (The other two being Hercules and The Emperor's New Groove.)
"His destructive programming is taking effect. He'll be irresistibly drawn to large cities where he'll back up plumbing, reverse street signs, and steal everyone's left shoe." - Jumba
"His destructive programming is taking effect. He'll be irresistibly drawn to large cities where he'll back up plumbing, reverse street signs, and steal everyone's left shoe." - Jumba
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Hbomb
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Have you never seen Aladdin or The Lion King? Sacralige!Appendix Q wrote:Saw it a couple days ago. Is now one of my top 3 Disney flicks. (The other two being Hercules and The Emperor's New Groove.)
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