Displaying items by tag: Chris Sanders

LILO AND STITCH

US, 2025, 108 minutes, Colour.

Maia Kealoha, Sydney Elizabeth Agudong, Chris Sanders, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnusson, Courtney B.Vance, Amy Hill, Tia Carrere, Kaipo Dudoit, Hannah Waddingham, Jason Scott Lee.

Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp.

What is needed these days to make a successful Disney feature for young children? Lilo and Stitch suggests some of the answers. During the 90s, classical stories were popular. We think of Beauty and the Beast, a comic version of Aladdin and The Lion King.

Who are Lilo and Stitch? Stitch is introduced to us first. He is genetic experiment 626, produced by a mad scientist in a galaxy far, far away. The Council banishes him to earth. But, just as we are settling into a mini version of some star wars, the mood changes completely.

We are then introduced to Lilo. She is a young Hawaiian girl who lives with her sister, Nani, with whom she is always quarelling. When Nani allows Lilo to buy a dog, whom does she find in the pound, terrifying all the stray dogs, but Stitch? She has to have him. Together, Lilo and Stitch are able to rustle up quite a bit of mischief and some slapstick comedy.

So, it looks as though we need something from outer space, something alien and a close encounter as well as something slightly exotic here on earth which will finally give us a warm glow as everyone is reconciled, Stitch saves Lilo and the day and we appreciate what it is to be nice and human.

And, of course, this is what happens.

The film-makers stress that the quality that really appealed to them in Hawaii was what the locals call 'ohana', which means a sense of family. Lilo has to learn to love Nani so that they will not be a broken family. Stitch is all alone and what he needs to learn is to belong to a family.

Along the way, we are treated to some exotic characters from the galaxy, including Pleakley, a one-eyed, three-legged expert on Earth and Cobra Bubbles, an ex-CIA operative who has become Lilo's social worker. Nani's boyfriend, David, is a perfectly ordinary surfer who does fire-eating stunts which literally bring part of the house down.

What is attractive about Lilo and Stitch is the use of water colour backgrounds and drawings rather than computerised characters. Lilo idolises Elvis, so there is a pleasing soundtrack of his songs.

In fact, the above is most of the review written for the 2002 animated version -but it also serves here. This 2025 version, is live-action, but following the original plot in great detail. (And, there was the popular television series, 67 episodes, from 2003 to 2006.) And, instead of just voices previously, we have the strong cast of live actors, Maia Keloah a very feisty Lilo and the charmingly energetic Sydney Elizabeth Adugong as her sister, Nani. There are very broad comic turns from Billy Magnusson, especially, and Zach Galifianakis when the two space creatures become human. Tia Carrere who voiced Nani in 2002 now appears as the welfare supervisor. Courtney B.Vance is the CIA agent.

This version is 20 minutes longer than the original but it seems to have been embraced enthusiastically by young viewers in America and in Australia (as well as their parents who were young for the 2002 version?).

THE WILD ROBOT

US, 2024, 101 minutes, Colour.

Voices of: Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Matt Berry, Ving Rhames, Mark Hamill, Catherine O'Hara.

Directed by Chris Sanders.

Fans of Peter Brown’s 2016 illustrated novel, The Wild Robot, will be delighted to see this film version. In fact, delight has been the response of audiences – and also of many critics.

We are definitely in the 21^st-century with an animated family film focusing on a robot – although, Peter Brown in his detailed blog on the Internet about his writing his book over a period of eight years, has many interesting observations about origins of writing about robots as far back as the 1920s. But, to have a children’s film focusing on a robot, very much of our times. (And these years there are many films for adults with dramatic stories about androids and humans being served and protected by them as well as stories of betrayals.)

In trying to describe the perspectives of The Wild Robot, it could be said on the one hand that the picture of nature, animals in the forests, their personalities, is in the Disney tradition, especially of Bambi. And, on the other hand, the picture of robots, technology, artificial intelligence, is very much a contemporary perspective.

And, a robot in the wild, a robot whose name comes from her code initials, abbreviated to Roz, and the machine a female voice by Lupita Nyong’o. A shipwreck, Roz stranded, re-booted, the strong sense of mission (and her repeating her promotion instructions aloud). Needless to say, the wide range of animals, all enjoyably portrayed, do not respond well, fearful.

But, that is just the beginning. Two engaging characters emerge, a little Gosling bereft of family who gets the nickname Brightbird (Kit Connor) and an engaging fox, Fink (Pedro Pascal enjoying himself) whom nobody likes but who becomes a great favourite with the audience.

In fact, there is plenty of plot, Roz teaching the Gosling how to lie while looked down on by the rest of the geese; the bird migration led by the wise Longneck (Bill Nigh); some misunderstandings, some reconciliations, and Roz finally affirmed by the animals as she is able to help them in a very cold hibernation.

And, there is more with the robots, contact with the company, some ruthless executives, wanting to control Roz. While robots have no emotions, Roz learns more and more from her animal friends, standing up for herself and for them.

The film has been written and directed by Chris Sanders, best known for The Crudes series and, especially, charming action story, How to Train Your Dragon. Here he has been able to appeal to younger audiences with a great deal to interest and entertain an adult audience.

1. Family-friendly animation, style, story, characters? Musical score?
2. 21^st-century, robots, artificial intelligence, techno developments? And memories of past animation, animals, the forests? The combination?
3. The situation, the future, robots, the storm, the destruction, Roz stranded, programmed, promoting her services? The female voice? The encounter with the bear, the crushing of the geese, the survival of the Gosling, befriending it, training it, calling it Brightbill? The Fox, Fink, on the outer, yet bonding, helping with Brightbill? The possum, guides of how to mother they Gosling? But fear from the other geese?
4. The range of animals in the forest, memories of Disney animals and Bambi? The fear of Roz? The importance of Brockville learning to fly, to swim, the training, eventual success?
5. Brightbill, personality, growing, succeeding, information about Roz and the loss of his family? Hostility? The preparation for the migration, the role of Longneck? Brightbill and his agitation? The geese flying, the storm, taking refuge in the robot headquarters, the clashes and persecution, Brightbill not afraid, leading them to safety? Longneck sacrificing himself?
6. The hibernation, the animals going into hibernation, Roz helping, their bonding with Roz? The squabbling, fights, traditions, Fink and his mediating? The episode with the bear?
7. Roz, trying to reactivate, the links with the headquarters, the response at headquarters, the head, sending robots, locating Roz, the attack on the animals, the fight back, the fire?
8. The geese returning, Brightbill, reconciliation with Roz?
9. Roz, agreeing to leave, going back to the headquarters, working in the greenhouse, Brightbill and his visit, but her still having her emotional responses?
10. The family friendly story about technology, operation by exploiters, but possibilities for harmony and peace?