Dark, strange cartoon fun (From Western Telegraph)

Dark, strange cartoon fun

Lilo and Stitch Directed by Dean Deblois and Chris Sanders Starring Daveigh Chase, Chris Sanders, Tia Carrere, Jason Scott Lee and David Ogden Stiers Cert PG, dur. 85 mins

Here is a new Disney animated feature, which is sure to be a hit, and yet, one which has me absolutely baffled.

It starts off in a galaxy far, far away, where an illegal genetic experiment has taken place (Number 626). The ruthless scientist Dr Jumba Jookiba (voiced by David Ogden Stiers) has created a strong, intelligent, nearly indestructible and aggressive being with only one known weakness: The high density of his body makes it impossible for the experiment to swim in water. In this galaxy, there is a Grand Council of the Galactic Federation that knows all about the creation of Number 626. The nutty doctor is sentenced to jail and the tearaway mutant thing is going to be packed off to live alone on a meteor where it can't harm anyone. On the way there, 626 escapes and flies away to hide somewhere in the universe. He chooses Hawaii and frankly so would I.

Earth seems to be a doomed planet, and even though the Hawaiian Island, surrounded by the great Pacific Ocean, leaves 626 stranded where it can't do much harm, two well-equipped representatives of the Galactic Federation are following close behind to catch him again.

An earth girl from the idyllic island would adopt number 626 thinking it to be some kind of talking dog. The girl is a little five-year-old orphan girl named Lilo (Daviegh Chase). Lilo gives him the name Stitch and actually causes an emotional development in the little beast. Her dysfunctional family, consisting only of Lilo and her sister Nani, is about to be ripped apart by a social worker. Stitch, being one of a kind starts gradually to realise the loneliness of his situation.

Stitch as the new family member brings the film to life and the family into a new way of living. And after a while, not even Pleakley and Dr Jookiba, can recognise their former target. But how shall they bring the news of their failure to the Grand Councilwoman without being punished?

Lilo and Stitch is one of the most unusual and creative animated films from the Disney studios ever. Featuring a completely new style of drawing, and backgrounds that look like watercolour paintings. Disney is taking a bold step. The artwork is like a combination of 'Winnie-the-Pooh' and Saturday morning Japanese cartoons. The dialogue and slapstick comedy is reminiscent of Warren Brothers' 'Loony-Tunes'. Except for a splash of Elvis, and some Hawaiian music, there are no big musical numbers. While this isn't the best animated feature I've seen, I found myself caring for the characters, which must mean it's good because I really didn't get it.

Vaughan Sivell