Lilo and Stitch 2: Stitch Has A Glitch Parent Guide

The first Lilo & Stitch movie came crashing into theaters in 2002. Its success inspired a spin-off cartoon serial, featuring the impetuous orphan and the adopted alien animal she originally mistook for a dog. Picking up where the film left off, the pair forms a family out of a group of misfit characters, with Lilo’s older sister Nani (voice of Tia Carrere) acting as mom, while some exiled space creatures, Dr. Jumba Jookiba (David Ogden Stiers) and the one-eyed, cross-dressing Agent Pleakley (Kevin McDonald), take on the role of live-in relatives (although they tend to act more like big kids also in need of parenting).

Like an extended-length episode of the TV series, (including its artistic quality and script style), this sequel begins with Dr. Jumba discovering Stitch Has a Glitch. A reformed evil genius, he initially engineered Genetic Experiment 626 (now affectionately known as Stitch), to be an indestructible, destructive force. Whatever the reason for the malfunction, it’s causing the six-legged monstrosity to revert to this programming.

Unaware of the intricacies of the problem, Lilo (voiced by Dakota Fanning) only knows his mood swings are getting a bit annoying. Already in trouble for losing her own temper and punching out the red-headed, name-caller (Liliana Mumy) in her Hula class, the seven-year-old is trying to be on her best behavior so she can participate in an upcoming dance competition. But with her sidekick behaving like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the young girl isn’t sure she can count on her best friend to be “good.”

When Stitch accidentally overhears Lilo venting her frustration, he decides to slip away rather than continue to be a disappointment. However, time is running out for the little blue critter. If he is to survive, it will take all the Ohana the makeshift family can muster.

In many ways this movie borrows from its inspiration, including a similar storyline, Elvis elements and parts of the musical score. Consequently, this telling feels old and tried.

While that may be a disappointment to parents, it’s not likely to bother young audiences. The biggest concerns for these less-discriminating viewers will be Stitch’s violent behavior as his internal programming goes berserk, Lilo’s fits of anger, and the usual Disney heartstring pulling.

Reiterating messages about the importance of family, and the power of love and friendship, Lilo & Stitch 2 offers the expected glitches of a direct-to-home production.

About author

Donna Gustafson

Donna Gustafson has been involved with her husband Rod's work since the beginning. Handling many of the behind-the-scenes tasks, she also creates preview pages for up-coming movies, acts as managing editor and occasionally writes reviews.