Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch

• Directed by Tony Leondis and Michael LaBash
• August 15, 2005 (Turtle Bay Resort) / August 30, 2005 (DVD and VHS)

Voice Cast

• Stitch (also known as Experiment 626)-Chris Sanders
• Lilo Pelekai-Dakota Fanning
• Nani Pelekai-Tia Carrere
• Dr. Jumba Jookiba-David Ogden Stiers
• Pleakley-Kevin McDonald
• David Kawena-Jason Scott Lee
• Mertle Edmonds-Liliana Mumy
• Moses Puloki-Kunewa Mook (credited as “Kumu”)
• Elena-Jillian Henry
• Teresa-Holliston Coleman
• Gator Guard, Various Voices-Paul C. Vogt
• Additional Voices-William J. Caparella, Matt Corboy, Jennifer Hale, Emily Osment

A malfunction with Stitch threatens to destroy him unless he can be fixed.

Set shortly after the events of Lilo & Stitch but before Lilo & Stitch: The Series, Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch finds the characters from the first film in their everyday lives with Dr. Jumba Jookiba and Pleakley moving around the island unnoticed. Nani and David are in some kind of relationship though it appears David is more into Nani than Nani is into him despite the diary entry mentioned by Lilo in the first film.

Like the original, Lilo & Stitch 2 showcases Elvis but more so. One could even say Lilo borders on having an obsession but it’s kind of cute actually. Cute and weird because Lilo practically prays to Elvis for inspiration over a hula contest that her late mother won around the same age. In those moments Stitch is often the voice of reason.

All this occurs with Stitch experiencing a malfunction due to his molecules not being charged completely. I don’t know how that works. It also lets you know that Stitch and his creator were arrested shortly before events of the film which makes the doctors denial of Stitch and his existence in the opening trial of the original confusing.

What bothers me-and a lot of movies and TV shows do this when all the characters know a particular character is having a problem and that problem pops up-they treat it as being the fault of the character rather than demonstrating any understanding that it’s the condition. This happens several times and Stitch gets the blame even though they know something is wrong with him. I get being upset but blaming him for something you know he can’t control each and every time? No. Maybe the fourth or fifth but not the first or second. You are supposed to be friends and a type of family.

In a completely unrelated plotline, David tries to improve his relationship with Nani by generating jealousy with the help of Pleakley. A well worn comedic trope that does not fit at all with the rest of the story and one that almost never works. It would be better if Nani seemed more distinctly interested in David but she’s almost indifferent to his existence.

Myrtle is much more of an overt rival than villain towards Lilo. In Lilo & Stitch she was (nameless and) just more of a general nuisance. Now it’s like she’s taking it as a personal axe to grind against Lilo and is out to ruin her life. But she is not a threat in the story.

There are some emotional moments such as Stitch being horrified that he could be a danger to Lilo. It’s a really a minor scratch when he has a glitch and you can see the connection between the glitch and his reaction. For him to run away over something so minor is a bit much but a scratch is as far as you can probably take it in something aimed at the very young. But his actions during that time have a little bit of punch.

Despite that this is not nearly as emotional as the last one with its themes of family. In fact, I’m not sure if it has a strong theme other than seeing Stitch glitch. There are no strong lessons taught and the subplot with David is just to give Pleakley and David something to do in the movie.

While humorous, the humor is less organic and often takes knocks at the characters. David ends up looking pathetic with Pleakley looking stupid. Lilo looks a little delusional because of her jokes and Jumba comes off not smart enough to make Stitch. They forgot what worked the first time and took the lazy route.

Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch is a good movie but not as good as the original. It doesn’t really build on anything but is rather a one-off story. Not necessary viewing.