Disney’s controversial Live Action Retool’s return with Lilo & Stitch, a remake of the 2002 film and arguably one of the studio’s most beloved of all time. It’s a bonified box office success in the making, but is it good? Well, the answer is Yes!
Lilo & Stitch is directed by Dean Fleischer Camp and follows, similarly to it’s animated original, a lonely girl named Lilo, who adopts a dog-like alien who she names as you may guess, Stitch, unaware to her or anyone else though, he’s a genetically engineered creature designed to be a weapon of mass destruction and is being hunted down by interstella mercenaries as well as the US Goverment.
While the film does in select areas, especially toward the third and final act, divert from the original story and beats, 2025’s Lilo & Stitch manages to retain, not all, but a lot of the heart of it’s 2002 counterpart, especially when Stitch enters the story in full force after crossing paths with Lilo, who speaking of, is played by first time newcomer, Maia Kealoha in an adorably fun and charming performance very suitable for the essence of the part. And her bond with Stitch was perfect, elevated to its peak potential by the vocal performance given by both the original co-director of the 2002 family film and the voice of Stitch over two decades ago, Chris Sanders. no notes needed. Watching the two essentially grow together while often causing chaos and mischief for others over the course of the swift 1 hour & 40 minute runtime was a joyful delight. There isn’t a singular moment where it doesn’t feel as though Stitch, who is of course a CGI and enhanced recreation of the beloved and iconic design, doesn’t feel or look like a genuine piece of the world. If there is just one thing the movie gets right, it is the label on the packaging, Lilo & Stitch.
Other characters to the adventure include Lilo’s sister and guardian, Nani who’s brought to life by Sydney Agudong in a solid portrayal which strongly captures the stress of taking care of not only a young child, but a grieving and directionless younger sister. If Ohana means family, then the pairing of these two actors to the characters reins true to that statement. A vital part of the movie is being able to get the message of being there for one another through all the good, chaos and bad, across and it does that just right.
A very big though welcomed surprise was the unique itteration of Peakely, which takes a diversion from former beats of the character but is more than made up for by the whimsical and flamboyant perfoamce served by Billy Magnussen. He’s great in the role and a very strong part of the overall film, even though I wish his characters very on the nose drag elements had remained a part of the remake. He mostly shares his scenes with Zack Galifanakis’ Jumba, the creator of Stitch, and while he’s a serviceable aspect of the movie, here’s where it’s hinges begin to weaken as unfortunately certain creative choices specific to this version of his character don’t land nearly as well like they do with Peakely and his performance is just okay as a result of the fragile chosen material. Alongside him as ‘just okay’ is Kaipo Dudoit’s David, who’s performance is actually quite good especially in one scene where his crush for Nani is very, though embarrassingly, present – Though that’s really all he has to bite on here as outside of a few instances away from the focus on Lilo & Stitch, much of the movies soul is muddled in regards to other it’s relationships and characters. At times it is apparent as to why this was originally set for a direct to Disney+ release, unlike The Lion King, which commands the big screen treatment for its undeniably stunning visuals alone, Lilo & Stitch doesn’t particularly have something distinctive that the original doesn’t provide, and better, that calls for a no-brainer, theatrical viewing of it. And that, as someone very vocally supportive of these flowing live action remakes, hurts to realise and admit on this occasion.
But to get back to the good, as incase it was lost in translation, I did, like the vast majority of Disney’s remakes, quite like this one too! I just don’t think I loved it. But anyway, The opening, which introduces Hannah Waddingham as The Grand Councilwomen to the movie, is great. And the ensuing action, which returns in the closing of the film, is quite fun and respectably done. The humour is strong and will have you at the very least smiling if not outright laughing more so than not and the heart in Lilo’s relationship and warmth to Stitch is amazing, absolutely anytime they’re on screen!
Despite some flaws, Lilo & Stitch will definitely charm audiences, especially families wanting a sweet, bonding experience with great rewatch value. It gets the key aspects right, suggesting an upcoming sequel that I’d welcome, and its popularity guarantees a fast-tracked production.
Lilo & Stitch releases in theaters on May 23.
