Stitch Head Movie Review

This film is so wonderfully bright, it’ll be loved by child and adult alike.

Though you don’t get much that you haven’t seen before, you get a sweet story and playfulness. But, with a broken heart, that may or may not be in the body of Stitch Head. You be the judge. What he does find is love. From what he has learned through using his brain, love is what he needs.

This is based on the popular book series by Guy Bass and is family-friendly. The story follows Stitch Head (Asa Butterfield), who gives as much to the adults watching as he does to the kids. He’s a great… little monster. There’s an ode to Monty Python you won’t miss, in comments made by the town folk. You’ll notice that director Steve Hudson doesn’t hide his appreciation for other people’s work. Stitch Head is the first creation by the mad scientist (Rob Brydon) or “professor” for whom he is now the assistant.  He has to make sure he is kept on course. When the professor makes a new monster, he often goes off track, forgetting the steps needed to complete his projects. Stitch Head tries to get him to get the professor to listen to him, but he doesn’t, so Stitch Head ends up doing a lot of work to keep the task completed as intended. One is to show them an introduction-to-life film so they know what’s going on. A very creative idea you’ll thoroughly enjoy.

A traveling circus, run by Fulbert Freakfinder, comes to town. The townies, especially the youngins, are bewildered, except for one named Arabella. She knows and tells Fulbert of the monster-filled castle. Fulbert is intrigued. You will be, too, about everything revolving around this circus and its characters. It’s crazy fun. When he learns about the monsters, he sees business opportunities and dollar signs. When he meets the first monster, Stitch Head, he tells him what Stitch Head wants to hear. He will be loved by people, especially by his new father figure, if he does a good job of making people scream. He’ll be wanted and needed, not ignored. He’s somewhat attached to the monsters, especially the newest named Creature (Joel Fry), but maybe it’s time to move on to where he’s genuinely appreciated.

In song, he’s told by Fulbert that there’s “Nothing quite as gorgeous as an audience that’s nauseous.” Music to his ears! He can scare people for a living. Yep! Time to run away and join the circus. Creature is upset because Stitch Head was his bestest best friend. He and the others are sad that he’s gone, but Creature mopes. He tries to stop him but what’s more important, what you want or what someone else needs? There will be no breaking of stitches by Creature to try to get Stitch Head to stay. This is a pivotal moment in the movie and quite moving. You can’t rescue someone who doesn’t want to be rescued.

There’s a lot to this story. Great characters and a loving, meaningful plotline that, though formulaic, you can’t help but fall for. The score is great; of all it and the script is well written as far as dialogue goes. And it has a sweet message to look within to find who you really are. It’s great fun for the whole family. No one will be disappointed if this is the movie chosen for movie night. The monsters are wonderful and more scared of people than the people are of them. That’s a great plot point. The idea of an angry mob coming for them gives them the frights. They’re too cute.

Oh! Pay attention to the opening credits. Good use of “All Out of Love” by Air Supply, by the way. It might get stuck in your head, though. The original songs aren’t as catchy as I had hoped for, but overall, the film will not let you down.