Bittersweet ride, but the lesson is unconditional love.

Rating: 10/10 (17 July 2002)

This movie is emotionally like a Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride. I took my 3 year old grand daughter, as well as both my daughters (late 20's), and the 4 of us laughed, cried, laughed, and cried again. We have been back 3 times already. My little grand daughter didn't really understand what made her sad, but this was an excellent spring-board to discuss with her empathy and compassion. She will tell you in a heart beat that o'hana is family, and that means no one gets left behind, and no one is forgotten. What an extraordinary way to teach young toddlers the strong bond of family, and the importance of each and every living thing! This baby had a healthy sense of self-value already, as well as an attachment to Momma and Grandma, but now she knows anything or anyone can be part of family if you want it to be. Because Stitch related to the story of the "Ugly Duckling", we were able to read the story, and discuss the things about the ugly duckling that were similar to Stitch, and how outside appearances don't have anything to do with what's inside, and that love is blind. Besides lessons of empathy and compassion, we were able to discuss acceptance and unconditional love.
We've always loved the princess stories and been able to relate to being sweet and nice no matter what, but in those stories, everyone is beautiful and rich and the poor beautiful princess is rescued by a handsome knight in shining armor. In this story, a lonely, sad, angry child who still loves in spite of rejection is able to spread love by just loving. And an unusual creature built solely for destruction learns the value of love and family. The bottom line is that children can learn that every being is valuable and worthy of love.