post contains affiliate links
The 9th movie on my list of favorite animated Disney movies is yet another dog movie, kind of….
An early entry into Disney’s experimental phase, 2002’s Lilo & Stitch combines classic tropes but repackages them in a chaotic sci-fi movie that still offers a lot of heart and warmth.
It’s a cute yet kind of edgy movie as the protagonists are both flawed and broken. The movie has similar story beats to other Disney movies like Pinocchio and Oliver and Company. Thematically Pinocchio and Stitch are very similar in they are both “created” and need to “become good” to obtain self-actualization.
I think it’s interesting that both Disney movies set in a Polynesian setting have a characters that embody destruction vs creation. With Moana it’s based on the mythology and Stitch was based an original concept of Chris Sanders.
Lilo & Stitch also offers great side characters and design. The art is very pretty with the soft watercolor background that work perfectly when the movie shifts between comedy and the heart-felt moments. It’s just a super cute fun movie that has emotional weight without ever feeling forced or trite.
I love the lie about Earth being protected from the United Galactic Federation because of mosquitoes. Also David is a total green flag.
