LILO and STITCH

2002, Walt Disney Pictures

Animation

Rating: PG

Approx. 84 mins.

THE STORY:

Lilo is a young girl growing up in Hawai'i in the custody of her sister since the death of their parents. She is quite a handful, and her unintentionally disruptive actions threaten to separate the 2 sisters when an intense child aid worker enters the scene. 

To keep her occupied, Lilo's sister gets her a dog, Stitch, from the local pound. Little do the girls know that they have actually acquired an alien who fled to earth to escape imprisonment. Stitch is the product of a mad scientist's unsanctioned experimentation and his threatening, anti-social character makes him unwanted on his home planet.

Stitch tries to masquerade as a pet, all the while hiding from the aliens who have been sent to capture him. Inevitably, however, his identity is revealed and all kinds of havoc is wreaked. Eventually, Stitch learns the value and responsibilities that come with belonging to a family and finds his place by Lilo's side.   

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• none

VIOLENCE:

• some frightening scenes where aliens attempt to capture Stitch
• shooting, falling

TEACHING POINTS:

• Family means no one left behind

THE UPSHOT:

The opening and main conceit are a little complex-- and at times a little scary-- for younger kids. But the messaging is positive and it is a demonstration of diversity in action. There's nothing about it that particularly stands out for good or for bad. Did the adults in the room love it? No. Did the 5 year-old in the room enjoy it? Yes. 

2/5