This 2002 Disney movie was chosen by The New York Times Essential Library as one of 100 films recommended for children.

    The movie opens with an exposition* in the form of a sci-fi scene in which a scientist (voiced by David Ogden Stiers) is tried before the Grand Council, led by the Grand Councilwoman (voiced by Zoe Caldwell). The scientist has broken laws governing genetic* experimentation and his creation, “Experiment 626,” is an indestructible*, powerful, and highly intelligent six-legged and antennaed blue beast. Experiment 626 (voiced by Chris Sanders) is programed to destroy everything in sight, and the scientist is sentenced to imprisonment and the animal to death. Experiment 626 escapes, and crash-lands* on Earth, leading to the Grand Councilwoman to send the scientist and another alien to get him back.

    The film then shows Lilo, the movie’s young heroine*, and her failed interactions* with her peers and her older sister Nani. Lilo (voiced by Daveigh Chase) is violent, unhappy, uncooperative, and quietly sad and we soon learn that her behavior is due to difficulties dealing with the death of her parents and having to adjust to her older sister as guardian*.

    Nani is visited by a social worker (Ving Rhames) who tells her she has three days to prove that she is able to provide the care that Lilo needs.

    Experiment 626 seeks refuge in a pound* and is taken home by Lilo, who thinks he is merely a funny-looking dog and names him Stitch. The rest of the movie is set up for plot twists making people think of E.T. Lilo and Stitch become friends as Nani tries hard to prove herself, her efforts thwarted* regularly by Stitch’s bend towards chaos and destruction and his attempts to hide from his would-be captors.

    Stitch learns new emotions* from Lilo, including a regard for the movie’s buzzword, the Hawaiian value of “ohana,” that is, “family.” Stitch also comes across the story of “The Ugly Duckling,” which makes him wonder if there are more like him, and also begins to find better things to do than his penchant towards destruction.(SD-Agencies)