MovieChat Forums > Lilo & Stitch (2002) Discussion > Vastly underrated

Vastly underrated

posted 18 years ago by staceybrewis
31 replies | jump to latest

I think this happens to be one of the BEST Disney movies of all time. When I first watched it I wasn't keen because the trailers made it look smushy and kiddy, but I laughed all the way through it! My friends were the same when I told them about it, but I finally got them to watch it and they grudgingly agreed. They loved it! It's a modern, animated Disney film with lots of laughs and no sugar sweetness that you normally associate with Disney. The trailers did this film no justice.

The subject matter is so not Disney as well. It's refreshing to see people of another race/culture being portrayed without stereotype in a Disney movie (check out Aladdin, Mulan and Poccahontas and you see what I mean). Also, amazingly, it's not the typical 3.4 children, it's a dysfunctional family. Lilo experiences bullying, prejudice and behavioural problems as well as the care system. Nani plays the role of single mum and the responsibility involved, i.e. She can't just take off with the guy she likes, she has to think of Lilo. Basically it says that people aren't perfect, but they don't necessarily have to be evil for it.

And who can forget the unforgettable quotes from this film? "I'm so cute and fluffffffy!"

[–] Boogles74 18 years ago

Yeah I know. This is my favorite disney movie.The animation is more life like than all those princesses too.Most little kids are chubby and most adults are not sticks (Jasmine is the only princess I can think of who wasn't built like a barbie ...)

I may be strange but I'll never change.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] angel624 18 years ago

For me, what makes this movie better than any other movie is that it's so un-Disney! Usually, Disney either cranks out animal movies (which I like) or princess movies (which I used to like; now, only The Little Mermaid takes the cake for me), each one a musical with songs that sound great when you're a kid, but sometimes grate your nerves when you're older.

Lilo & Stitch, however, is not a kiddy-musical. It's a sci-fi comedy (a few other sci-fi comedies are Men in Black, Robots, Galaxy Quest, and a few others that I can't think of). The characters have plasma guns and spaceships, and yet they have peaceful islands and serene oceans. The movie has a happy ending, but at least it went through the bad stuff that made it deserving of a happy ending (don't get me started on My Little Pony...a little girl I babysit forced me ot watch it while I was sick...I won't say anything, due to the fact that others might get offended).

Sure, maybe they began to lower the bar during the series, but (IMO) the Lilo & Stitch franchise never lost its charm. Thank you for listening to my ramblings.

Does this look inanimate to you, punk? -- Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] bhoover05 18 years ago

When Lilo and Stitch first came out, it was a movie that not only I could enjoy, but my boyfriends younger sister who was in kindegarden at the time could also laugh along with.

However, you stated that the Hunchback seems stale. I feel the complete opposite. I feel that the Hunchback is the most adult Disney movie made to date. Perhaps you have not seen it recently?

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Devinpl86 18 years ago

i agree. this is like my second favorite (sleeping beauty being my first). people haven't even given it a chance. and i understand i mean when i first saw the trailer i was like "aliens? what? gross..." but no its soooo good. hilarious, touching and fantastic soundtrack!

http://devinmovieschillin.blogspot.com

[–] baum6666 12 years ago

Yeah, it has held up really well.

[–] moz_oz 17 years ago

I absolutely love this movie because it is so vastly different from other Disney movies. Lilo and Nani's situation is so realistic (if you subtract the entire alien plot) - Lilo is bullied, Nani has to work to support them and put her responsibility with Lilo first - which is shown to be pretty tough on both of them (absolutely true to life, I take care of my younger brother similarly).

The Elvis songs were awesome (I especially liked 'Devil in Disguise') and will introduce plenty of kids to his music. I thought Lilo being a crazy Elvis fan was adorable.

I'm of Pacific Islander descent, which is why I was so eager to see this film when it came out (it's such a change from the European storylines). I'm so glad Disney decided to make a Hawaiian based movie - it wouldn't be so charming any other way!!!

[–] StartingAllOver14 16 years ago

Sorry for being negative, but I think this movie is the complete opposite of underrated.

[–] samsdad 16 years ago

...while I think it is just about the only Disney movie that IS underrated. I've been watching Disney movies with my daughter lately and Lilo & Stitch is the only one I consistently enjoy. The animation is beautiful, and everything else is much more enjoyable (especially for a parent) than typical for a Disney movie: humor, characterizations, story and music. I'm not surprised it's a little bit of an "odd duck" in the Disney canon since it stands out so far (I'd say stands head and shoulders above) other recent Disney movies. Keep all your princess movies, I'll take the the little blue guy any time.

[–] worstnameeverrightnow 12 years ago

...while I think it is just about the only Disney movie that IS underrated. I've been watching Disney movies with my daughter lately and Lilo & Stitch is the only one I consistently enjoy. The animation is beautiful, and everything else is much more enjoyable (especially for a parent) than typical for a Disney movie: humor, characterizations, story and music. I'm not surprised it's a little bit of an "odd duck" in the Disney canon since it stands out so far (I'd say stands head and shoulders above) other recent Disney movies. Keep all your princess movies, I'll take the the little blue guy any time.

this movie isn't underrated at all. come up with an logical explanation and then i would support your idea.

[–] MillionMonkeys 16 years ago

Agree, underrated and declining. The IMDb rating stands at 7.1 now. I believe it was much higher, in the 8's, when it was in the theaters a few years back. L&S remains one of my favorite movies (all movies, not just cartoons) for all the reasons mentioned above.

My best guess is that some people nowadays rent or buy the DVD expecting to see a typical Disney fairy tale and are disappointed/offended to see a story about a broken family in an edgy sci-fi comedy.

Good thing nobody here takes the IMDb rating seriously. Right?

[–] RaineBender 16 years ago

Right!

Take these broken wings and learn to fly

[–] sophietranter 16 years ago

If anything I'd say it was overrated. I watched it for the first time yesterday expecting something great because I'd heard so many good things about it and I was a little disapointed because I didnt think it was that great at all, I found most of the characters were rather irritating.

[–] uruseiranma 16 years ago

It came out in 2002, which was right around the 'targeting-range' of every other person saying that kids were growing disinterested in 2-D films.

Though it made $120million, the big talk of 2-D that fall really came crashing down when Treasure Planet was released and took in under $40 million. The fact that L&S was entertaining and mildly successful was nothing compared to the cacophany of people who made the TP directors to be out-of-control animation mavericks.

Though in truth, CG is not the be all/end all. Most of the articles glossed over the 2001 release of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. That film was being touted as the digital revolution in filmmaking. It came out, grossed less than 10 million dollars, and disappeared from the media's radar.

"I'm not a monster, I'm just ahead of the curve."

[–] PirateRaven 16 years ago

while I think it is just about the only Disney movie that IS underrated

e big talk of 2-D that fall really came crashing down when Treasure Planet was released and took in under $40 million

It's my opinion that Treasure Planet is the most underrated Disney movie of all time. It's a fantastic movie.

The world is a mess and I just... need to rule it.

[–] RobbieValiant 16 years ago

Entirely agreed. Aside from possibly Atlantis.

[–] Jaymii 16 years ago

I also assumed it was more popular/highly rated than it apparently is, in the US at least. I mean, Japan adores the franchise - They even have Stitch!.

A few years back, while in Disneylands and Worlds its so very easy to get lost into the world of Lilo and Stitch. They were/are everywhere and rightly so but after looking at my really expensive (;p) L&S model thing I realised that I miss the franchise so much.

[–] sweetblood13 16 years ago

I thought Treasure Planet was extremely underrated, too; I mentioned it at school (I was squealing about the amazing animation in the film), and someone said, "Oh, I HATED that movie!"
I think that since film companies started vomiting forth stuff like Shrek and other computer-heavy 3D films, people expect too much of a move-- they complain that it doesn't feel real enough, that the people are not realistic, etc., and they forget to focus on the aethetic value of films (especially those in 2D).
This is probably why I love Lilo & Stitch so much: it was animated beautifully, and the characters seem like real people and not just candyfloss idiots stumbling around in a film with 5+ songs (and with 1+ character(s) inevitably shouting "SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND!"). Treasure Planet had no musical numbers (but it did have Goo Goo Dolls!), and Lilo & Stitch was the same. I wish there were more films like these.

[–] Harlequin_Girl_251191 15 years ago

I completely agree! When this film came out I thought it looked stupid but I waatched it on tv today and absolutely loved it! The trailers didn't do this film justice. In my opinion this is one of the best Disney films because it seems much more heartfelt and realistic than most Disney films. Definately underated.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Jnbfwc 15 years ago

I agree. I don't think that Lilo and Stitch is underrated. Treasure Planet certainly is, though.

[–] veil182 15 years ago

yeah the film grossed 273 million and was well reviewed. I love it but I can't call it underrated.

also, while it is easily top 10 maybe top 5 favorite disney films for me, it is not that different. the setting and story telling is refreshing from more traditional disney tales but the only thing that makes it utterly standout for me is the unique/off beat comedy (especially Kids in the Hall's Kevin McDonald) and the absolutely wonderful voice acting from Daveigh Chase--check her out in the dub of Spirited Away very wonderful.

listen to the receiving end of sirens.

[–] worstnameeverrightnow 12 years ago

those of you who's calling the movie underrated doesn't know what the term underrated means. underrated means that the movie isn't aknowlegded at all, while "lilo & stitch" actually has a fanbase and got rave reviews on it's release.

[–] burfordthehalfabee 12 years ago

No no, underrated means that something doesn't get as much praise as it deserves.
What you're talking about is overlooked.

As to the main point of the discussion, personally I give this movie 10 out of 10, but I'm probably generous / biased because it really speaks to me. Nonetheless, I'm surprised this hasn't averaged more like an 8 from the general public. Fantastic movie.

[–] worstnameeverrightnow 12 years ago

No no, underrated means that something doesn't get as much praise as it deserves.
What you're talking about is overlooked.

As to the main point of the discussion, personally I give this movie 10 out of 10, but I'm probably generous / biased because it really speaks to me. Nonetheless, I'm surprised this hasn't averaged more like an 8 from the general public. Fantastic movie.

were you referring to me?

i don't think this movie has gotten overlooked at all. in fact, it has gotten way more praise than it deserves. i'm not saying that this movie is absent of good moments, but it has a LOT of flaws!

[–] sonnythefat 12 years ago

Vastly underrated, Yes I think so too, Sadder than Dumbo, Better written than anything Disney has put out,It captures the responsibillity of family that "frankenstein" was really about, On par or better than my other favorite animated film "Spirited Away"

[–] worstnameeverrightnow 12 years ago

why the *beep* are you replying me?

[–] daultimatefan 10 years ago

If this came out in 1999, it would have at LEAST a 7.7

But 2002 is not quite nostalgic for a lot of the adults today, and I don't think kids are watching this movie as much as they should.

But it is brilliantly conceived and animated, and is a great precursor to How To Train Your Dragon.