Stitch! Reactions

Prince Adam · Post by **Prince Adam** » Tue Aug 26, 2003 11:38 am

So what did everyone think of Stitch! The Movie? I rented it this morning with considerably low expectations, which were definitely not exceeded. The movie was neither as heartwarming nor as funny as the first (Lilo has changed soooooooo much-especially in the way Daveigh Chase does the voice), and the plot was very stupid. I won't bore you with details, but I don't think that the Hampster dude will get a very warm reception.

However, it does leave a great set-up for the TV series, which I am looking forward to a great deal. I wish that this movie had been aired on TV, then it's reception would have been better.

As a TV series, this new Stitch will be great. As a movie, though, for the first time, Stitch disappoints.

reaganhockey · Post by **reaganhockey** » Tue Aug 26, 2003 3:05 pm

I looked for the dvd in Walmart and couldn't find it.

I'll have to look later.

indianajdp · Post by **indianajdp** » Tue Aug 26, 2003 3:41 pm

Looking forward to everyone's reviews here as I'm very "On-the-Fence" in regards to this title. Be brutally honest if need be.

Loomis · Post by **Loomis** » Tue Aug 26, 2003 5:59 pm

indianajdp wrote:Looking forward to everyone's reviews here as I'm very "On-the-Fence" in regards to this title. Be brutally honest if need be.

Yeah, even though I'm the (second) biggest Stitch advocate around, I'm still a little 'on the fence' myself. I haven't ordered it yet, by that is partly through waiting for it to be released locally. I'm positive I'll get this eventually, but...

Opinions appreciated (Except from those who just hate sequels and slag them without watching them).

wdwleesa · Post by **wdwleesa** » Wed Aug 27, 2003 6:58 am

Didn't watch it yet but did open it to check for an insert-NOT THERE!

Inside is a coupon to get a 4.00 refund if you have purchased Lilo and Stitch and Stitch the Movie.

That's it.

Leesa

Inga Tu Schmista · Post by **Inga Tu Schmista** » Wed Aug 27, 2003 12:05 pm

It actually wasn't as bad as I was fearing - for a DTV sequel, that's a ringing endorsement...

Essentially, it follows the same sort of story arc as L&S - I mean, it's like the creators of this movie took the skeleton of L & S and re-covered it with slightly new characters, locations, &c.

For all that, it's not that bad. I can think of worse ways to kill an afternoon (Lizzie McGuire movie, anybody?). Stitch hotwires a spaceship and Cobra's car, the "cousins" (alien experiments) look like Pokemon extras, and Dr. Hamsterviel is entertaining -in small doses.

The extras are not overly entertaining - the Trivia game w/ Dr. Hamsterviel was annoying because Dr. H's voice grates when he speaks for more than 30 seconds, and even if you win the game, the Dr. H. voice-over tries to make you feel like a loser.

One interesting thing, which raised my respect for this particular DTV sequel:

If you hit the pause button on your DVD player during the scene where Stitch is chasing Sparky and Stitch gets electrocuted, you can see Stitch's skeleton. I can get exact times later, if anybody wants. It's not noticeable when the movie is playing. I was slightly impressed that the animators took the time to put that in.

Bottom line: it was cute, but nothing overly special, unless you're obsessed with the little blue guy. Something to keep you amused until the two-disc L & S special edition comes out Jan. 27.

~Inga

2099net · Post by **2099net** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 7:03 am

Somebody at Disney's been watching Monty Python and the Holy Grail a few times, based on the Dr. Hamsterviel character.

I think that this is a mixed film - I understand like Tarzan and Jane and Atlantis II:Milo's Return it is a film made up of 3 television episodes. However unlike the other two examples, the success of the original Lilo and Stitch movie around the time the television series was still in early production means that the 3 episdodes were re-written slightly and flow continuously - no new bridging animation was required.

I'm pleased that the watercolour backgrounds are still being used. At times these still look stunning. However, something at the back of my head is saying that all the main characters are slightly off model - perhaps they have been slightly simplified for the tv animators? - but I can't quite put my finger on what's wrong with them. Perhaps there's nothing wrong and it's all in my head.

So far (I've only managed to see the first 20 mins or so) I have to say the script is poor - to me, the biggest problem with these DTV sequels is not the animation but the poor quality scripting - and Stitch! seems to be similarly cursed.

However there are a few good one liners in their and a somewhat anarchic sense of humour seems to be bubbling under, but is never quite allowed to fully surface - no doubt due to Disney wanting to stick to their family branding.

I'll post some more when I've seen the rest of the film (and also My R2 George of the Jungle 2 as well)

IggieKuzco · Post by **IggieKuzco** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 7:17 am

As if the first wasn't bad enough! why should i waste time on the second one which you all say is worse! look personally, i think that L&S was the third to worse disney movie i have ever seen, (ranking right after Tarzan and Jane, and Atlantis) and believe me, i've seen many a disney movie. You guys like? fine but im not the type of person who likes to watch little aliens listening to prestley and dancing the hula with a girl was the scariest thing ive ever seen (in the ring)! Especially not in a disney movie. I hoped it would be good. I really did. But i guess not. and I think that the last genuinly good animated disney film, (not including pixar) was the emporers new groove! and that came out three years ago

WHAT HAPPENED???!!!!

Loomis · Post by **Loomis** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 7:44 am

IggieKuzco wrote:As if the first wasn't bad enough!

Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion (gee , how generous of me

).
But seriously...
I will be the first (possibly second) person to jump to the defence of Lilo and Stitch. I thought it was a film filled with an old-style charm and animation. I think it is a great example of how traditional animation still has a place in a modern world where there are so many alternative mediums competing for our attention. And to ME at least, this was achieved through a simple yet effective story with a good sense of humour.
But that is just my opinion.

why should i waste time on the second one which you all say is worse!

None whatsoever! That is your choice!
I for one will reserve judgment until I have seen the thing.

look personally, i think that L&S was the third to worse disney movie i have ever seen, (ranking right after Tarzan and Jane, and Atlantis) and believe me, i've seen many a disney movie.

Obviously not enough to know that Tarzan and Jane was a direct to video sequel made up of TV episodes, but anyways...each to his or her own...

You guys like? fine

thanks for your stamp of approval

but im not the type of person who likes to watch little aliens listening to prestley and dancing the hula with a girl was the scariest thing ive ever seen (in the ring)!

Then...don't....watch...it!

Especially not in a disney movie.

What the hell does that mean? Not enough dragons and princesses? Maybe a mouse or two?

I hoped it would be good. I really did. But i guess not. and I think that the last genuinly good animated disney film, (not including pixar) was the emporers new groove! and that came out three years ago

Ok will agree with you that TENG just rocks! But I think saying it was the 'last good Disney film' is a slight exaggeration (given only 2 have been released since then...).

WHAT HAPPENED???!!!!

Or, to quote A Mighty Wind "Wha' happ'ned?"

Peace

(And NO 2099 - this is not going to turn into a "fight fight fight").

IggieKuzco · Post by **IggieKuzco** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:01 am

first of all, thanks for being so polite when i riculed L&S, (u being a lover of the movie). But like you said, to each is own. I respect that.... but one little thing... u call this CLASSIC DISNEY ANIMATION?! have u lost your mind???? this is such a non-classic disney oriented movie! it just screams it! I mean, did see the way it was drawn? it was like a third rate cartoon! and if you want to talk about classic disney... what about songs? the only songs here were short Prestly recordings! Though it's true that TENG wasn't a classic disney movie either.... at least it was funny and had a plot! and even though it didn't have a very classic-disney-like opening song.... at least it had a song made for the movie itself! (not to mention all the movie oriented sting stuff in the credits!)

Loomis · Post by **Loomis** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:18 am

IggieKuzco wrote:first of all, thanks for being so polite when i riculed L&S, (u being a lover of the movie). But like you said, to each is own. I respect that.... but one little thing... u call this CLASSIC DISNEY ANIMATION?! have u lost your mind???? this is such a non-classic disney oriented movie! it just screams it! I mean, did see the way it was drawn? it was like a third rate cartoon! and if you want to talk about classic disney... what about songs? the only songs here were short Prestly recordings!

To tell the truth, I've actually had a bit of a problem with the classic/non-classic distinction for some time.
Most of the classics/masterpieces are self-proclaimed by Disney (and yeah, in many cases that is true!). But who is to say that in years to come, L & S won't be considered in the same way? Especially given that 2D animation is now being phased out in favour of 3D.
When I said that Stitch is classic animation, I meant in terms of ink and paint and simple drawings. I thought the watercolour backgrounds were great, and the simple 'bags of water' renderings of the characters were perfect. It is a dying art, and I think it was great to see that people don't always need CGI to have a good time.
As for the songs - well, some people have come to loathe the Disney musical (and I can't say I blame them after some shocking songs from Hunchback** and Mulan..ooh...another argument waiting to happen).

For a lot of people, the appeal of L & S came very much from the fact that it was a conscious move AWAY from the 'traditional Disney' mould. I for one applaud the results (the sequel, which this thread is about, may be another story, but again I'll reserve judgment until viewing).

**Standard Disclaimer: I did like some of the Hunchback songs. But for me, the songs were not the strongest part of the story. They served their purpose, and moved the story along. Just nothing that 'stood out' for me. I loved the look of the film more than anything.

IggieKuzco · Post by **IggieKuzco** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:37 am

As for the songs - well, some people have come to loathe the Disney musical (and I can't say I blame them after some shocking songs from Hunchback** and Mulan..ooh...another argument waiting to happen).

I object!!!

What do you mean???

Hunchback includes some of the best disney songs ever!!!!!!!!!!!!

For a lot of people, the appeal of L & S came very much from the fact that it was a conscious move AWAY from the 'traditional Disney' mould.

Yeah.... i know.... im just not ready for somthing like that yet.... it too big a step in too short a time.

Maerj · Post by **Maerj** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 11:06 am

I loved Lilo and Stitch too. It was a fun, lighthearded movie and wasn't scary at all. Very much a classic!

The music in Hunchback wasn't really the kind that most people are going to buy on CD and listen to over and over again, BUT as far as animated musicals it was very good. Most of the songs were actually telling the story and defining the characters, so I think in that respect the songs worked very well, perhaps better than in most of their other films.

As far as the classic disitinction goes... it's the discription of a series of films. Not every film may be considered a 'classic' in the traditional sense, but its a way to distinguish them from their other films. I guess it is sort of like a legacy that started with Snow White. So, Lilo and Stitch is very much a classic in that sense, even if you didn't care for it for your own personal reasons.

2099net · Post by **2099net** » Thu Aug 28, 2003 11:20 am

Well, having seen the last 2/3rds of the film I can safely say it grew on me. More and more of the anarchic comedy seemed to make it's way in. After seeing the whole movie, I would guess Monty Python inspired more than just the Dr. Hamsterviel character, some Python "lite" humour seemed to slip in every now and then.

I still think the opening is weak, and the movie story itself has very few surprises, but it entertained us and I just love experiment 625.

Overall, I would give this a 7. I think anyone who enjoyed the original movie will like Stitch! The Movie if they stick with it.

PS. I'm still expecting the proper Lilo and Stitch 2 to be better.

Danny · Post by **Danny** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 9:00 pm

I actually enjoyed it.

Why I liked it:
1) The whole 625 experiment thing is a great concept...but a real Pokemon rip-off. Jumba even said he was working on 627...is this the rarest one to catch? (LOL!)
2) The humor was great in this movie!!! There are many funny moments with Pleakey, Gantu, and Dr. Hamsterviel. '625' is especially hilarious!

The reasons I didn't like it:
1) Animation was very cheap and looked very slugish at times. The character animation for Lilo looked very stiff.
2) They tried to have heartful scenes with Lilo and Stitch. They just couldn't pull it off well like in the first one.
3) There are only two experiments we get introduced to in this movie...and both didn't have a lot of air time. We see more experiments at the end of the movie, but with the big promotion going on about Stitch's cousins you would expect to see more of 'em.
4) Yes the movie is very short. So short that everything moved at a uncomfortable pace in some scenes. It probably could have used an additional 10 minutes for more story.
5) Nani and David seem very careless in this movie. Lilo keeps sneaking off and the both of them don't do much to stop her. They also completely disappear in the third act.

This movie is definitely worth rental...but don't buy it unless the price is right. It's going to be a fun cartoon series, and this movie is a good intro to it. It won't be long now until we start selling Sparky plush at the Disney Store! LOL!

Satoshi · Post by **Satoshi** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 10:03 pm

I really liked it. The humor, as previously stated, was great. I too was disappointed that only two experiments got screen time though (aside from at the end). The two experiments though are great. 625 brought me alot of laughs, and 212 was just so cute. The animation didn't bug me too much, you just need to realize that this isn't film-quality, it's tv-quality. The only parts of the movie that I didn't like were the battles in space. I felt they were long, drawn out, and not handled too well. Overall it had a good story and did it's job as a set-up to the TV series very well.

IggieKuzco · Post by **IggieKuzco** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 7:02 am

Overall it had a good story and did it's job as a set-up to the TV series very well.

What is disney coming to???

You see this? satoshi actually said it himself! ".... did a good job as a set up for the TV series..."

I cant believe this! has disney gotten so lame brained that it has to produce crappy sequels to crappy movies just to produce crappy TV shows????

sorry people, but i am pissed!!!

Danny · Post by **Danny** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 8:54 am

Hold on buddy!

Stitch! The Movie isn't the official sequel to Lilo & Stitch. It is just the pilot/beginning episode to the series. The real sequel is coming out sometime next year or the following. Think "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command" here.

Personally, I like Lilo & Stitch as much as I like Emperor's New Groove. Both are great movies in their own special way. I would say both of these movies break away from Disney tradition...name one Disney movie who hasn't since Tarzan. Disney changes with the times, and it shows with the pure comedy in ENG, and the themes in Lilo.

It's too bad you didn't like Lilo & Stitch. I don't think there is one Disney animated feature I dislike. I think each one is brilliant in its own way, including "The Black Cauldron", "Atlantis" and "Treasure Planet". All were bombs, but I found them fun adventure movies. It's hard to be pessimistic when you're a big fan

IggieKuzco · Post by **IggieKuzco** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 9:07 am

Stitch! The Movie isn't the official sequel to Lilo & Stitch. It is just the pilot/beginning episode to the series. The real sequel is coming out sometime next year or the following. Think "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command" here.

Listen Dan... I respect that... but still to put it out there like that setting up a TV show (which is probably gonna bomb within the year like most disney animated movie based TV shows), is just really shallow. and if they're already making a sequel or somthing resembling a sequel, they should try not to make it just for the TV series.

Get it? Got it? Good.

Danny · Post by **Danny** » Sun Aug 31, 2003 9:32 am

Oh yeah I know exactly what you're talking about! And yes it is unfortunate what their current way of thinking about marketing and milking products for all their worth. I mean, Eisner stated they are doing a Nemo sequel just because it was a success (can't believe he said that when their Pixar deal is up in the air!)
Atlantis was the same way...until it bombed and the sequel and series were canned.

Uggh...that reminds me of that one stupid remark Eisner said of Brother Bear: "Brother Bear is in the Lion King realm because it has talking animals, we shall see if it is in the Lion King realm in terms of talking bankers." Dude I want to slap that jerk for saying something like this! What a one track minded a$$!!!

Anyway...I don't like the sequels and I don't buy them. I rent them to keep myself up to date with what's going on...and I'm always curious how they will continue some stories, and how they could screw them up

I just wish it was quality over quantity.

So, what do you think The Emperor's Newer Groove will be like?

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