“Ohana means family… and family means no one gets left behind.”

Lilo and Stitch is my second favorite of the animated Disney films. I’ve always loved this movie as a kid mainly because I just found Stitch to be such an adorable character, but over the years, have come to only love and understand and appreciate it more and more.

The film is such a masterfully woven tale about a young girl in a rough position with her equally struggling sister after the passing of their parents, trying to meet the necessities a social worker requires of her for Lilo to keep living under her care. And then there’s Stitch, the huge fucking wrench thrown into the mix lol.

But serious talk, I love how both this and Treasure Planet tackled the effect the absence of a parent or recent passing of one has on a child, with grounded and relatable circumstances and consequences present all throughout. The way Lilo lashes out and acts peculiarly, needing to feed Pudge a sandwich for the weather or making the little doll she has, it’s these ways in which Lilo is able to sorta cope and continue on. Her behavior and way of being I feel is such a nuanced take on a child affected by a family tragedy, and Nani just adds to it. Props to the big sis who really tries everything in this film to keep her family together, the only family she’s got left.

The film just beautifully ties back into that theme of family. Ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind. The film so brilliantly explores this to its full potential, and I think it can be best summarized by one line of dialogue from Stitch:

“This is my family. I found it, all on my own. It's little, and broken, but still good. Yeah. Still good.”

Even with the trials and tribulations, the needs of a social worker, the sibling fights, and the constant wrenches life throws your way like the passing of your parents, it’s important to keep family with you always. No matter how little or broken it is. 

The funny thing of it all is that Stitch was really the one to come into Lilo’s life to help fix it all. I would state along with that sentiment that Stitch is honestly a greatly written Disney protagonist as well. We’re told thru exposition how Jumba created Stitch as a purely destructive organism whose only intent is to destroy everything he touches. And destroy everything in regards to Lilo and Nani, he does. Since his arrival, he makes everything harder for Nani and Lilo, especially Nani to achieve her goal.

We also see at the very start how Stitch is referred to as an abomination. An outcast of society. An ugly duckling of sorts, reasons for why he’s so connected to the story of the Ugly Duckling when Lilo shows it to him. Connecting that story back to this film is such a beautiful cathartic touch, since the film’s overarching theme of family is just further enhanced. Stitch being that outcast, but slowly becoming less of a monster and more of a humane, competent, and compelling character. That one single quote of him perfectly summarizes how narratively satisfying his journey from chaotic monster to being much more, being cute and fluffy, as well as part of a family that he cares for and loves.

From there, other things I love about the film include obviously its animation. As I’ve repeated time and time and time again on these Disney logs, 2D animation in my mind is timeless, and that goes for the animation of this film. The funny thing is that they really didn’t have too much of a budget, but shit, they still made it work to the absolute best! And that’s not even including all the shit they cut out because of story developments… or other, unfortunate events like the attacks of September 11th.

Thru it all, it’s still a phenomenal film. The voice acting is great, I find every single character memorable off their voice alone, and they’re all just so much fun to be with. Chris Sanders as Stitch especially, man just knew how to bring Stitch to life. Funny he’s made two of DreamWorks best films since Stitch lol. I really enjoy the soundtrack and score of the film as well, even utilizing some Hawaiian hulas, but also mixing in tracks like Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride, and even a little Elvis in there.

It’s those little personal touches that kinda make the film stand out all the little more for me. And that’s not even to mention all the laughs the film gives me. From gags like the aliens fascination for Earth, especially Pleakley’s interest in mosquitos, Stitch’s behavior towards everyone, Lilo’s antics as well as her interactions with Nani, Jumba and Pleakley trying to capture Stitch, etc.

Overall, it’s not just one of my favorite Disney films, I’d have it among my favorite movies of all time as well. I genuinely think it’s one of Disney’s best, and the way it tackles and themes thru its characters and story allows for a heartwarming, comforting, and emotionally uplifting film with charismatic leads and a ton of fun to be had, while still getting something of substance across. I’d give it a 9-9.5/10.

My Favorite Films
My Walt Disney Animation Studios Film Ranking