A Mixed Bag: Where's the Quality Control?

Honestly, watching this show is tough. Like, really tough.

Less than 1.5 hours of genuine family drama set against a pastel watercolor backdrop of Hawaiian islands that suddenly become the center of an intergalactic threat

xa0

What's going on here?

- that's what someone freezing on the outside is thinking, scratching their head over why Disney's movie suddenly features aliens. Well, they've got a reason for it.For context: 'Lilo & Stitch' was released in the same year, but came out in November, when the initial buzz had worn off, and 'Lilo & Stitch' had already become a clear box office hit and won over the audience. In my opinion, 'Lilo & Stitch' is no worse, just different. And it came out at the wrong time.

But the real question is: why do the people look more like aliens than the aliens themselves? Just kidding.

Or am I?

xa0

Let me tell you, the storyline in this show is out of this world. It's about a scientist who creates this incredibly dangerous creature and asks to be called its 'evil genius'. The scientist gets sentenced to prison, and the creature is supposed to be transported to a different location, but things don't go as planned. The creature escapes and lands on a populated Hawaiian island, which is actually a protected area for endangered mosquitoes. The scientist and an expert on the planet are tasked with catching the creature to get it pardoned and to increase the scientist's sentence, respectively. Meanwhile, on Earth, a family of two sisters is dealing with a nightmare scenario that has nothing to do with the alien visitor. But it's about to get a lot more complicated.

I have to say, it's amazing how mature this show is for a kids' cartoon. You can watch it at 40 and still cry like you're 5. The storytelling is multi-layered, and it's a real thriller with elements of social and judicial politics that are easy to follow.

The language is straightforward, but that doesn't mean it's dumbing down the story for kids. It's actually the opposite - it's tailored to fit the situation without leaving you wondering what's going on. Because, honestly, it's not that complicated.

The core message remains the same: 'ohana' means 'family', and families look out for each other. No one betrays each other, and they all care for one another. That's the truth.

xa0

I have to admit, my experience with the content was a bit all over the place. It started with Planet, then LIS, and finally ZV. As a result, I was completely missing out on all the Star Wars references until I rewatched the movie. But, yeah, they're everywhere now.

But, honestly, this fact didn't ruin the movie for me - it actually added to it. If anything, it gave the judges and the Experiment 626's pursuers a bit more depth and weight, which was much needed after the somewhat cartoonish tone of the early parts of the movie. No plagiarism here, just a nod to a great source of inspiration.

Like the Man in Black, Cobra will always have a special place in my heart. He's the kind of guy who shows up at the right time in the right place, big and tough on the outside, but with a heart of gold and a keen sense of justice that's not just about following the rules, but about doing what's right.

xa0

So, let's dive into the family drama.

I've got to say, this story is incredibly relatable, and I found myself getting all teary-eyed at times.

Sisterhood is tough enough as it is.

But when you add a significant age gap to the mix, it gets even harder.

And when you're both forced to be more than just sisters, especially when your parents are no longer around and your family's finances are in shambles, it's a whole different story.

The older sister (Nani) is in way over her head. She's forced to be a mother to her younger sister, but she's not ready for the responsibility.

And the younger sister (Lilo) is struggling to come to terms with the fact that her older sister will never be the mom she needs.

But what I love about this story is that it's not just about the struggles of being a sister, but also about the struggles of being a kid when the world doesn't understand you.

I've gotta say, I'm a pretty empathetic person, but you can't always see it from the outside. And there's not much you can do about it, right?

So, I guess all you can do is pray and hope that the universe sends you a guardian angel... or a talking dog that can withstand a plasma blast.

xa0

One thing that really stands out to me is the way the movie tackles diversity and inclusion. It's not just a feel-good story; it's actually pretty smart.

I mean, the movie promotes acceptance and understanding without even trying to hit you over the head with it. And that's something that's really refreshing.

I love how the characters interact with each other based on their actions and decisions, not just their appearance. It's a really mature approach that makes the movie feel both older and more kid-friendly at the same time.

And yes, all the scenes with the ducklings are totally heart-wrenching:

This is my family. It's small and imperfect, but it's good. Yeah, it's good.

This isn't about the trial that runs like a red thread through the story. It's about the maze of life where every path leads to something amazing. Like that friend who falls from the sky. The job that helps you find the person you least expected. A helpful acquaintance who gets what's going on and isn't afraid to lend a hand. The home you build together, because in the end, you're a family – and families look out for each other.

I'd give it 10 out of 10.

xa0

P.S. Elvis 🎤🤍✨️