The "Dumbo" of the 00's.

Rating: 10/10 (9 August 2018)

I mean think about it: it has a similar style of animation, had a remarkably lower budget than the movies which preceeded it, it actually made a fair amount of money after a string of disappointing outcomes. Even though I think that either critics or audiences or both were a little too harsh on certain Disney movies of the 00's, I can certainly see why Lilo & Stitch reigns supreme as the best of the second dark age of Disney.
It all comes down to one simple thing: the story.
Lilo & Stitch takes up great themes of family and responsibility. The relationship between Nani and Lilo is so real and touching. Spicing it up with an alien coming to Earth was an odd choice, but Stitch is both cute, entertaining and serves a purpose. A big one actually.
I'd say that that is both a blessing and a curse, because it gives the movie a feel of wanting to be two movies at the same time. It is not as distracting as, let's say, Meeko and Percy in Pocahontas or the gargoyls in Hunchback of Notre Dame, but Stitch steals the show and I first discovered the real heart of the movie when I watched it again as an adult. No hate, just a note. But it makes the movie unique in its own way and therfor it does not affect my rating.
I love the characters! No one is dragging the movie down. They're all likable and entertaining, but Nani and Lilo are the emotional center of the movie. David Ogden Stiers' performance as Jumba is my favorite along with Chris Sanders as Stitch and Daveigh Chase as Lilo. They have the funniest lines and bounce off of their surroundings perfectly.
If you haven't watched Lilo & Stitch since your child I highly recommend that you do it, because a beautiful story like this is perhaps even better for adults .