After Disney’s misfire with the new Snow White live show, the studio turns its focus to another beloved classic—this time reimagining Lilo & Stitch for live action. And this emotional, heart-filled adventure earns a solid ★★★½ (3.5/5).
Plot
Young Lilo (Maia Kealoha) is reeling from the sudden loss of her parents, navigating grief while growing up on the Hawaiian islands. Her quirky behavior and emotional outbursts cause chaos, leaving her older sister and guardian Nani (Sydney Elizebeth Agudong) struggling to hold everything together. Lilo feels misunderstood and isolated—until a strange, blue alien named Stitch (voiced by Chris Sanders) crashes into her life. Their unlikely friendship becomes the anchor that holds Lilo’s fragile world in place.
Review
This live-action remake stands out as one of Disney’s more emotionally grounded efforts. It tugs at your heartstrings with a powerful mix of humor, sadness, and joy. While Lilo and Stitch may be chaotic forces in their own ways, it’s the people around them who provide the emotional backbone of the story—especially Nani, whose expanded role adds significant depth.
The film stays true to the spirit of the animated classic, preserving the emotional beats that made it so iconic. The bond between the sisters is at the story’s core, and the evolution of Stitch from an agent of destruction to a heartfelt companion is just as endearing this time around.
Dean Fleischer Camp, best known for Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, brings warmth and visual creativity to the film. Screenwriters Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes add just the right amount of humor, especially in the sci-fi sequences—complete with alien tech and portal guns that offer clever visual gags.
What makes this remake stand apart is that it doesn’t shy away from showing fantasy as a tool for healing. Despite moments where the film veers off its emotional center, it always manages to return to the heartfelt themes of family and connection. And young Maia Kealoha is a breakout star—radiating emotion and charm in every frame.
If you’re a fan of heartwarming buddy adventures or simply looking for a movie that reinforces the power of found family, Lilo & Stitch is a must-watch.
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