MPAA Rating: PG
Distributor: Walt Disney Co.
Directors: Dean Deblois and Chris Sanders
Actors: The voices of Daveigh Chase as Lilo, Tia Carrere as Nani, Jason Scott Lee as David, Chris Sanders as Stitch and Ving Rhames as Cobra Bubbles.

At Galactic Federation headquarters on planet Turo, a mad scientist goes to prison for performing illegal research, creating "Experiment 626," a mean, blue, long-eared, four-armed, drooling beast that wants to destroy everything in its path. The creature gets sent to a deserted asteroid but escapes in a stolen spaceship and treks across the galaxy until he crash-lands in Hawaii. This mean, annoying, one-alien wrecking crew meets his match in Lilo, a spunky, young Elvis fan coping with the loss of her parents. This good-hearted problem child fights regularly with Nani, her big sister who struggles to raise Lilo alone.

Convinced that Lilo needs a friend, Nani takes her to the animal shelter where 626, acting like a puppy dog, becomes their new pet. Lilo names him Stitch. Then chaos erupts. Stitch acts out. And with an intimidating social worker watching her every move, Nani must prove herself a worthy guardian or risk losing her baby sister. What ultimately restores calm to their tropical paradise—and the universe—is the concept of "ohana," or family.

Lilo and Nani live by the pro-family principle of "ohana," which demands that no one be left behind or forgotten. Such caring and self-sacrifice is given to and eventually embraced by Stitch, despite the fact that he was designed for destruction. Lilo realizes that her family—"little and broken" though it may be—is still good. And she encourages Stitch to put his talents to positive use. The film also highlights teamwork. Lilo and Stitch team up to take care of a bad guy. And several characters join forces for a daring rescue, and later reunite to rebuild a broken-down house.

Lilo & Stitch does have several scenes that may not be appropriate for young children. Lilo uses a book entitled "Practical Voodoo" to take revenge on kids who teased her. And the film has lots of action violence. Stitch and his foes fire laser guns at each other. Stitch gets run down by a truck, burned by rocket engines and blown sky-high by several explosions. Lilo responds to cruel words by punching and biting. Lilo is dragged beneath the waves and later kidnapped by a large monster before being rescued. Nani and Lilo’s house is destroyed when aliens battle inside. Stitch has violent outbursts and all sorts of bad behavior, some mildly violent.

Lilo & Stitch puts forth pro-family themes with relatively few unpleasant surprises. The extra caution is mainly for intense shoot-em-ups in outer space and some potentially frightening moments of peril. Lilo & Stitch proves generally entertaining as it drives home the message that loners and juvenile delinquents can turn things around when they feel connected to a committed, loving family.

NOTE: Our comments are not meant to endorse or discredit any particular film; they're just a way for you and your parents to make informed decisions about what enters your eyes and ears (Philippians 4:8).

	Q: Why did the football coach walk into the telephone store? A: He needed a receiver. Jessica S., 10, Texas Clubhouse Jr. Click here to subscribe