Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for discussion of the September 2 article: Toon Talk: Stitch! The Movie at <a href="News-ID114970.asp" target="_blank">http://LaughingPlace.com/News-ID114970.asp</a>.
Originally Posted By Daddy Servo Whoa... can't believe I actually get the blank canvas here on this thread. Well, it _was_ blank when I started posting this anyway... Mommy Servo and I watched this over the weekend, and truth be told it's hard to argue with the "C" rating it received. However, I did have a few observations of note: BIGGEST PEEVE -- the use of the word "Movie" in its title. One, it's not long enough to be considered a movie. Two, it is pretty transparent that its only purpose is to set up the upcoming series. A better choice of words in the title may actually have led to some better reviews; I for one tend to hold tv shows to a lesser standard than an out-and-out movie (even one DTV) for several reasons. This effort comes a lot closer to holding its own as a tv show than a movie, and Disney's designating this as such may have hurt its reviews with a lot of people. ANIMATION -- Again, let's view this as what it is (a series pilot). For tv animation, it holds up okay. Not great, but okay. I've seen better efforts, but I've also seen far worse. However, the look and feel of Lilo & Stitch does not strike me as one that would translate easily to tv animation... so I'm not going to go too hard on Disney in this regard. At least they're not trying to force the L&S characters into a more traditional animated look (such as with TaleSpin, Darkwing Duck, or even Gargoyles). CHARACTERIZATIONS -- it's really good to see all the original voice talent back on this. Each voice actor/actress left his/her unique vocal thumbprint on their characters, and not having them back on the tv series could have presented an insurmountable challenge in getting viewers to get behind the show (and let's face it, there's going to be enough challenges on that front already). The characters themselves don't show quite as much depth as they did in the movie, but then again when you're dealing with several characters within a 30-minute time frame it's going to be hard to show more than one side of someone's personality per episode. Hopefully there will be efforts made to focus on character development as the series progresses. HAMSTERVIEL -- One cannot imagine how relieved I am that someone else was reminded of the annoying Frenchman on the castle wall from "Monty Python & The Holy Grail." I have to admit I chuckled quite a bit over the running "phone book" gag (reminiscent of Lord Farquaad from "Shrek"). However, overall as the main bad guy Dr. H (who resembles a rabbit more so than a hamster or gerbil) feels about as evil and/or threatening as Richard Dawson did in "The Running Man." I would have preferred a slightly more evil bad guy. PLEAKLEY -- Someone please tell me what is up with his raiding Nani's closet! I understand that in the movie he wore the wig and dress to 'blend in' with the human population, and it's funny how out-of-touch this 'Earth expert' is with his subject matter -- particularly with clothing and mosquitoes -- but I would like some reasoning why Pleakley is so infatuated with female clothing in general and Nani's in particular (even if it's only "Hey, I feel pretty"). THE POKEMON EFFECT -- I've already heard a lot of grumbling on the LP boards about how Stitch is becoming the next Pokemon. Yes, it is similar in the fact that there are a lot of semi-cute Stitch variations that look like they'd be right at home fighting each other in the "gotta catch 'em all" format. However, just from watching this (combined with my admittedly limited exposure to Pokemon) I would venture to say the similarities to Pokemon end there and similarities to other series begin. Considering as the series is likely to focus around hunting a different experiment each episode, it reminds me more of the super-hero cartoon series (Batman, Teen Titans, Superman, Justice Leage, etc.) where there's a different villain with his/her own unique challenges every episode. POSITIVES & HOPEFULLS -- Believe it or not, I did feel there were some positives in this pilot episode. One, there seems to be plenty of episode material with opportunities for sub-plots to develop. Two, the original voice actors/actresses are back for the series and bring experience and familiarity to their respective characters. Three, Chris Sanders is still involved with the series -- and if the creative/writing team have two brain cells to rub together they will pick his brain for the wealth of information he has (hey, it's his original idea after all). Four, the first season of a tv series frequently starts off kinda slow but improves as it goes along (it's what I call the "Star Trek: The Next Generation Effect"). While this is not necessarily a positive, there is precedent to hold out the hope that Disney can build on what they've accomplished and come out with a quality product when everything is said and done.
Originally Posted By meowthew >>BIGGEST PEEVE -- the use of the word "Movie" in its title. One, it's not long enough to be considered a movie.<< Should Dumbo (running time: 64 min) be considered a movie? Ultimate Disney Channel Fan Page <a href="http://www.geocities.com/ultimate_disney_channel" target="_blank">http://www.geocities.com/ultim ate_disney_channel</a>
Originally Posted By TikiDude I think grading it a "C" was a bit generous. They've really done an injustice to the original movie IMHO. It's almost at the same level as "Belle's Magical World".
Originally Posted By Disfan1022 Hubby and I went to Blockbuster last week to rent a few things. Stitch was on my list but when I saw there was only 1 copy available for rent (no, there weren't any empties on the shelf) in the children's section I decided to wait for a review. Good artice Kirby. I was happy to read that the original voice cast will be returning for the TV series. I'm going to give it a chance. =)
Originally Posted By Daddy Servo "Should Dumbo (running time: 64 min) be considered a movie?" Good question... if you only consider one of my two reasons for not wanting to refer to "Stitch!" as one (as you did). My other reason was that it was obviously just a pilot episode for a tv series and wasn't meant to stand on its own (as a movie is usually supposed to do). Since "Dumbo" was apparently meant to be a movie (or at least I haven't heard that it was meant to start a tv series), I'd consider it a movie -- even if only just barely. "I think grading it a "C" was a bit generous. They've really done an injustice to the original movie IMHO. It's almost at the same level as "Belle's Magical World". " To be sure, I wouldn't advise anyone who hasn't seen "Lilo & Stitch" yet to judge whether or not to see the movie based on the series (at least the series pilot). It's like the difference between seeing Walt Disney World (or Disneyland) on TV and actually being there in person.
Originally Posted By BlueDevilSF "Stitch! The Movie" was just...OK. It had some funny moments, but several things about it just weren't true to the characters established in the movie. I won't be watching the series. I would prefer to imagine Lilo, Nani, David and Stitch as they were at the end of the movie: living their lives on the island as one happy family, with occasional visits from Jumba, Pleakley, and Cobra.
