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Disney’s live-action adaptation of a bit Hawaiian woman and her lovable however supposedly damaging blue alien companion is shaping as much as be one of many greatest motion pictures of the yr. Even with Experiment 626 set free on the large display screen as soon as once more and younger actress Maia Kealoha fabulously taking command of each interview she’s in, we will’t neglect the common-or-garden beginnings of Lilo & Sew.

Whereas most would level to the 2002 animated film and even the direct-to-video sequel launched a yr later, true followers of the duo can be extra inclined to say the tv present that was initially proven on the Disney Channel from 2003 to 2006. Not solely did Lilo & Sew: The Collection carry the complete story again to the Hawaiian island of Kaua’i, however the two-season, 65-episode present consisted of the pair (together with Jumba and Pleakley) attempting to seize the opposite 623 lacking experiments. This sequence not solely launched a lot of Sew’s “cousins” but additionally introduced in some reasonably memorable moments, together with wild Disney Channel crossovers.

Sew has all the time had a behavior of crashing different Disney properties. Teasers for the early 2000s film confirmed the alien invading basic home of mouse movies like Aladdin, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid. Promotional imagery for the most recent live-action remake confirmed the chaotic creature with a crushed Pixar ball in his mouth and together with his paw on a lightsaber (amongst different issues). Jess Winfield — govt producer of the Lilo & Sew TV present — wished to take this distinctive motif one step additional and make it occur. Throughout 4 episodes of the second season, this animated dream got here to life due to the assistance of 4 different Disney Channel exhibits. Let’s check out them, we could?

Lilo & Sew… and the Remainder of Disney Channel

The primary (and arguably probably the greatest) was “Morpholomew” and noticed the Lilo & Sew solid meet quite a few characters from American Dragon: Jake Lengthy throughout a skateboarding competitors on the island. In addition to some transformation hijinks (that is what Experiment 316’s energy is), crucial facet of this episode is a brief however worthwhile combat between the American Dragon and Sew — a Disney Channel fan’s dream matchup. For all of the dramatics on the market, an cute romance additionally blossoms between Gramps and Mrs. Hasagawa. The animation between the 2 exhibits meshes properly, and there’s nothing unhealthy to say. Really, an ideal crossover — albeit it ought to have lasted longer.

Within the subsequent episode of the present, “Spats,” The Proud Household involves trip in Kaua’i. At first, Penny will get assist from Lilo for her college report, Oscar and Trudy cuddle up in a hammock, and Sugar Mama takes a shower, however all the things turns into wild when Experiment 397 (named Spats) zaps everybody to combat with each other. Not solely do the twins find yourself tussling, however Penny’s grandmother takes on Gantu in Wizard Kelly’s wrestling ring.

Though the pacing feels a bit extra rushed than the earlier crossover (we go from a Mattress and Not Breakfast to a wrestling occasion in report time), the second half of the episode is significantly better than the primary. The corrupt captain of the Galactic Federation being taken down by a fan-favorite grandma is all the time a welcome sight. The animation kinds are a bit totally different between exhibits, however not sufficient to drag you out of the immersion.

These Disney Crossovers Went Again in Time

5 episodes later, one of the well-liked franchises is crossing over with Lilo & Sew, and that’s Kim Attainable in “Rufus.” Sew is all of the sudden kidnapped by a mysterious spaceship that simply so occurs to be steered by Dr. Drakken and Shego. Pleakley contacts Kim Attainable by the web, and a rescue mission commences. There are quite a lot of nice issues that occur in “Rufus.” Jumba errors Ron’s bare mole rat for an experiment, Lilo exhibits Kim Attainable that she will be able to deal with her personal whereas rescuing Sew, and there’s the standard snarky Shego/Drakken banter that helped make Kim Attainable iconic for thus many.

To make the episode’s plot work (which facilities on Lilo being heroic), Kim herself is made to be a bit too filled with herself right here, however the quite a few character foils (Jumba/Rufus, Kim/Lilo, Drakken/Shego) make up for the character adjustment. There isn’t any different experiment apart from Sew on this one, however the motion makes up for that as properly — one other worthy watch.

“Lax” is the final crossover episode (sixteenth episode of the complete sequence) and the oddest one, sadly. This Lilo & Sew entry initially aired in 2005, however the animated cartoon Recess resulted in 2001. The 5 youngsters are visiting Kaua’i, and apparently, Lax is about within the college yr that Recess takes place in. Speak about a time-traveling misadventure. The gang, plus Lilo and Sew, should cease Experiment 285 from zapping everybody right into a lackadaisical state.

Whereas the strain is in any other case excessive all through (the episode’s tone is paying homage to a Forties science fiction B-movie), you possibly can’t assist however see that the 2 kinds have a tough time mixing. In any case, Recess is a beloved basic, however it comes from a wholly totally different period of animation. It’s a very good try at a crossover, however there have been loads extra to choose from presently, like Dave the Barbarian, Buzz Lightyear, and Legend of Tarzan! Think about the inventive chaos that would have come to life with any of these.

However, if you wish to see extra of this Disney animated duo after popping out of the theater, Disney+ has all 4 particular episodes in addition to everything of Lilo & Sew: The Collection streaming proper now.