Stitch! The Movie (2003)

Stitch! The Movie (Dir: Toby Craig & Bobs Ganaway, 2003).

 

The first of three follow-ups to Walt Disney Animation Studios' hit movie Lilo & Stitch (Dean DeBlois & Chris Sanders, 2002).

This DisneyToon Studios production finds alien experiment Stitch (aka Experiment 626), along with his creator Jumba and sidekick Pleakley, adjusting to life on the Hawaian island of Kauai. Living in the home of Lilo and sister Nani, things are peaceful enough until the discovery that Jumba has smuggled previous genetic experiments 1 to 626 to Earth. Returning from the first movie, bad guy Gantu, is hired by evil alien scientist Dr Hamsterviel to retrieve the experiments, which Jumba created with Hamsterviel's financial assistance. Coming to the rescue, Lilo and Stitch hatch a plan to collect Stitch's new-found cousins and distribute them throughout the island.

Somewhat confusingly, this 2nd feature film in the Lilo & Stitch franchise is the third film canonically, set after but released a year earlier than Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch has a Glitch (Michael LaBash & Tony Leondis). If you have read my previous reviews of Disney straight to video sequels then you will know that I am not a fan. But for the Lilo & Stitch franchise I make an exception. While not as essential as the original, this is a decent movie in its own right. Upping the sci-fi quotient, it is concerned more with alien activity than Hawaiian island life and acts as a pilot for TV's Lilo & Stitch: The Series (2003-2006). 

It is kind of modest in its approach to animation and storytelling, but a low-key simplicity was central to the appeal of the first movie. The story is stronger than many sequels, being neither particularly derivative of the first, nor employing the over used role reversal theme common to Disney sequels. New addition to the cast Hamsterviel makes for an engaging villain and the plethora of experimental aliens are amusing, although none prove as endearing as experiment 626 himself. The stylistically cartoony approach of the original is better suited to TV's limited animation techniques than many Disney features and visually this is a notch or two above most lower budget efforts. While never reaching the emotional depths of the original movie, it does continue the 'ohana (or family) theme and the powerful message of acceptance. 

Lilo & Stitch endures as one of Disney’s best features of the 21st Century. Of course Stitch! The Movie is not as great a movie as the original, but neither does it do it a disservice. Far less of the quick buck cash-in I expected, this is a modest but warm-hearted treat and at 60 minutes long doesn't outstay its welcome. The youngest of Lilo and Stitch may enjoy it almost as much the original, while older kids and grownups won’t mind giving over an hour of their time to this unassuming, fun follow-up.