Hm, so from what I've gathered
Most people who dislike this film seem to dislike it simply because it 'isn't their thing' or they're thrown off by the fact that it's a bit outdated.
Some say it's 'weird'. I think a cupboard that can turn lifeless toys into living breathing people and animals with pre-existing lives and pasts *is* pretty out of the ordinary, so if that's what you mean I would have to agree with you. ^_^ Anything else can be explained, I'm certain.
No one who dislikes it seems to have a SOLID reason for disliking it. It's just, 'this movie is bad' and no one even bothers to ask why. I dunno. It perplexes me.
It is a nostalgic movie for me and whenever I hear the score I feel like I'm back in the 90's again. It's a very warm fuzzie feeling. Plus, I enjoy native american culture. (My fave Disney Princess as a child was Pocahontas and she still ranks my top three.) I think this movie is creative and sweet. Oh, and I did read the book. It wasn't bad at all. It took me a while to understand but the story isn't just about the little people. It's a 'coming of age' story about Omri and how he learned responsibility by having to care and look after the little people he brought into his life.
AND if you didn't think I was sappy before, get ready. There is one part of this movie that always makes me cry. Because it is SO... just... why??? LOL Why did they have to go there?? RIGHT before Little Bear and Boone are sent back Little Bear asks about his people and if they'll always be a great people. And Omri says "You are *always* a great people.... but it's not always so good." You can tell it pains Omri to tell him this. (And let's face it, Omri put it quite mildly.) It just breaks my heart.
Just one more thing. Some people on this board seem to be extremely prejudice against homosexuals... This isn't the type of board where I expected to run into that kind of pigheadedness. But then again, I didn't expect so many people to be so cruel to the main child actor in this movie either. I suppose you're the same type of people who made that girl on tumblr commit suicide yesterday morning by constantly sending her hate mail. But this is the internet... and I'm starting to realize that some people here just aren't well.
My apologies for the grim change in subject.