I’ve been trying to write this review for a couple of weeks. I keep coming back to it and deleting what I’ve written. I find it hard to explain how much a movie about a little blue alien means to me. I’ve always loved Stitch. From the very first time I saw the movie all those years ago, to the present day when I’ve seen the latest reincarnation twice now and can’t rule out going to see it again. This latest version is a mostly faithful retelling of the original story and a live action version was always going to have a couple of compromises. It was close enough not to have me wringing my hands at the screen. The ocean scenes are amazing and the CGI all the way through is beautiful.

I have more Stitch merchandise than any other franchised memorabilia I own. I have sweatshirts, bags, jewellery, dolls, Lego. Something about that little blue guy who tries so hard to be good, to find his place, to be loved just touches my heart. Yes, he makes me laugh. Yes, I love the songs from the movies and of course I love Elvis. I love Lilo and her own journey to find love and peace. But above all I love Stitch’s joy at being alive. When I carry my rucksack or wear my jewellery, when I carry my Stitch plushie with me to the cinema or when I look at the various incarnations of him around my house I remember that joy. This new film has all the joy I feel when I see Stitch – that laugh, that face.

All the joy is there.

10/10