“Stitch Head” is the first-born of mad scientist “Erasmus” as he searches to find the secret of life. Over time, the scientist has switched his ingredients up from wool and stitches and experimented on just about everything from dogs to sharks, but his latest “Creature” makes “Stitch” realise that he is little more than an assistant to his creator, and that he is actually quite a lonely fellow. Meantime, in the village below their castle a circus comes to town and it’s ringmaster (think Jim Broadbent in “Moulin Rouge!” from 2001) hears tell of the monsters living high above. It’s down to “Stitch” to enforce their strict no visitors policy but when he is promised the allure of popularity and success, he succumbs to temptation and is soon quite an attraction below. He befriends “Arabella” and all looks set fair. Back at home, the monsters are missing their friend and so the youngest of them dons a cunning disguise and heads to the town to fetch him back. His arrival proves timely, as in their pursuit of shillings, the circus are prepared to be quite cruel to get the audiences in. Getting “Stitch” back to the safety of the castle is one thing, but how safe will they be with an angry baying mob now on their way up the mountain? Sure, it’s a fairly straightforward take on the “Frankenstein” story with a little of “Pinocchio” thrown in and styled à la Tim Burton, but the characterisations work well and the messages of friendship, companionship and loneliness are clearly delivered for a family audience. The animation is nicely detailed and lively and there is plenty of fun as well as some uncomfortable truths in a dialogue that encourages us to look beyond our outward differences and be an whole lot less judgmental. It does make you wonder though why these formidable looking castles perched precariously atop a jagged mountain were always breached so easily by some angry peasants bearing only torches and pitchforks!
