Genre(s) – Adventure, Family, Comedy
Director – Dean Fleischer Camp
Writers – Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes
Cast – Sydney Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, Courtney B. Vance, Zach Galifianakis, Maia Kealoha
Runtime – 108 Minutes
My Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆
Where To Watch/Stream Lilo & Stitch
It’s cute, it’s chaotic, and it mostly sticks the landing – but don’t expect a carbon copy of the original.
Plot Summary of Lilo & Stitch (Spoiler-Free)
Lilo & Stitch follows the story of a six-year-old Hawaiian girl named Lilo Pelekai, who lives with her older sister Nani after losing their parents. Nani is struggling to hold their household together while working at local Hawaiian parties, called lūʻau. Lilo is an outsider at school, having trouble making friends, until she adopts a strange, blue creature from what looks like an animal shelter. That creature is Stitch, an alien experiment created by a mad scientist named Dr. Jumba Jookiba.
Stitch, originally designed for chaos and destruction, escapes to Earth and causes all kinds of trouble, but gradually learns about family, friendship, and what ‘ohana’ really means. Meanwhile, the scientist and his sidekick, Agent Pleakley, come to Earth in disguise to capture Stitch. The story also involves a CIA agent keeping tabs on Stitch and a social worker questioning whether Nani can care for Lilo properly.
The film stays true to the core of the original’s storyline – a mix of goofy antics, family drama, and that unmistakable Hawaiian vibe. It’s easy to follow, fun for kids, and heartfelt enough to keep parents watching too.
Lilo & Stitch Review: Is It Worth Watching?
I’d give this one a solid 7.0 out of 10. It’s won’t blow your socks off, but it’s a well-made, entertaining family film that respects the original while adding a few modern twists.
The film plays it safe in many ways. It’s clearly a Disney product through and through, polished to a shine, with no real edge or surprise. That’s fine if you just want something comforting and sweet. The story is familiar, the characters are mostly faithful, and the Hawaiian setting feels real rather than a generic backdrop.
One of the biggest highlights is Stitch himself. The CGI character here is handled with care. Usually, Disney’s attempts to blend cartoon characters with live actors end up looking like they’re from a bad video game, but Stitch looks just right – expressive, funny, and believable without losing his original charm, with Chris Sanders, the original co-director, returning as Stitch’s voice.
Maia Kealoha’s nails Lilo’s quirky, stubborn spirit, and. Sydney Elizabeth Agudong as Nani also does a solid job showing the pressures of being the guardian and older sister, giving their relationship real heart.
On a production level, the cinematography shines. The natural beauty of Hawaii is captured well, making the setting feel lived-in rather than a staged postcard. The supporting cast delivers mostly solid performances as mentioned above, even if some characters feel underused. Billy Magnussen’s Pleakley provides comic relief with physical humor, although the character does lack some of his original zaniness, such as the drag outfits.
The film’s pacing is generally good too, which is always a massive plus, though at times it leans too much into sentimentality. Still, the overall tone is warm and family-friendly without feeling cloying.
But the movie isn’t without its problems. For starters, it feels a bit overcrowded. They introduce new characters who don’t always add much and sometimes pull focus from the core story. Also, fans of the original series and sequels might be annoyed by some of the changes – like the absence of Captain Gantu, a fan favorite, or how Dr. Jumba’s character is altered.
The question is, should you watch it? If you love the original Lilo & Stitch or have kids who adore the character, you’ll find plenty to enjoy here. It’s heartfelt, funny, and a visually appealing film. But if you’re looking for a bold new take or a deep dive into the broader Lilo & Stitch universe, you might be left wanting more.
What I Liked (And What I Didn’t Like)
Pros
Stitch’s CGI Design and Animation
Stitch looks great here. He’s expressive and lively without feeling like some overly polished video game character. The animators managed to keep his original mischievous personality intact, and Chris Sanders’ voice work is really good.
Maia Kealoha’s Performance
Acting alongside a CGI character isn’t easy I would suspect, but Maia brings Lilo to life with a natural charm and quirkiness that feels authentic, and she doesn’t overdo it.
Hawaiian Setting and Cinematography
Filmed on location in Oahu, the movie uses its setting pretty well. The beaches, forests, and local culture don’t just serve as eye candy – they give the story real texture and grounding.
Faithful Storytelling
The core plot of Lilo & Stitch remains intact, which will be important for fans of the original. The themes of family, belonging, and acceptance are handled with the right care.
Supporting Cast Performances
Sydney Elizabeth Agudong as Nani and Billy Magnussen as Pleakley are solid and give the movie some emotional and comedic support. Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles also adds needed weight to the CIA subplot.
Respect for the Original
This is not a “remake for the sake of cash.” You can tell the filmmakers cared about preserving the spirit of the 2002 film, and it shows.
Cons
Overcrowding of Characters
There are too many new characters who just don’t add much to the story. It feels like the filmmakers wanted to pad the runtime or set up possible sequels, but it ends up just cluttering things.
Changes to Jumba
Zach Galifianakis’ version of Jumba is a bit off from what fans might expect. The character becomes stranger and less likeable as the movie goes on, losing some of the goofy charm that I like and wanted.
Missing Fan-Favorites
Where’s Captain Gantu? He was a big part of the original’s charm, and his absence leaves a noticeable hole.
David’s Role Reduced
David, Nani’s crush and a fun side character in the original, feels like an afterthought here. He’s barely in the movie.
Pleakley’s Tonal Shift
Pleakley doesn’t wear drag anymore, which removes some of his original comedic edge. The physical comedy is fine, but it lacks the boldness that helped make the character memorable.
Overly Safe
While faithful, the movie plays it very safe. There’s nothing particularly new or risky here, and while that is fine, I would have definitely have liked to have seen a bit more risk.
Who Might Like Lilo & Stitch
If you’re a fan of the original animated film and want to see a faithful, family-friendly retelling, I think you will enjoy this one. Kids will enjoy the colorful characters and slapstick humor, while parents can appreciate the messages about family and belonging.
And anyone interested in Hawaiian culture and beautiful scenery will also find something to love. And if you’re just after a light-hearted movie with a charming alien sidekick, this will fit the bill.
Who Might Dislike Lilo & Stitch
If you’re expecting a bold reimagining or a movie that pushes boundaries, you might find this just a bit too safe and predictable. Fans of the wider Lilo & Stitch franchise, including sequels and series, will be disappointed by the omissions and changes to beloved characters.
Final Verdict: Did I Enjoy Watching Lilo & Stitch?
Watching the live-action Lilo & Stitch was a enjoyable enough experience. Nothing groundbreaking, but it doesn’t need to be. It’s a warm, fun, and visually appealing family film that stays true to the heart of the original – for the most part.
Yes, the film is a bit crowded with new characters, and some fans may take issue with certain changes. The absence of Captain Gantu and the tonal shifts in characters like Jumba and Pleakley were noticeable, but I had enough fun with it which made it worth the ticket price.
Just don’t go in expecting a revolutionary take – it’s more like a well-polished retelling with a dash of nostalgia and a whole lot of aloha spirit.
Lilo & Stitch Trailer
Lilo & Stitch Film Facts
- The film’s working title was Bad Dog.
- Stitch’s CGI was created by Industrial Light & Magic, the VFX house behind Star Wars.
- Bruno Mars produced a new cover of “Burning Love” for the film, performed by his nephews.
- Chris Sanders did 5 separate recording sessions for Stitch, each lasting four hours, to preserve his vocal stamina.
- The film’s Hawaiian landscapes were composited from drone shots taken across 4 islands.
- Kealoha’s adoption scene was filmed in one take, and the actress cried for real when Stitch first hugged her.
- A Native Hawaiian language consultant ensured all chants, prayers, and lyrics were authentic and respectfully portrayed.
- The Super Bowl LIX TV spot for Lilo & Stitch gained 173.1 million views in 24 hours—Disney’s highest ever.
- The teaser trailer broke into Douyin’s Top 3 trending videos, a first for a Disney remake.
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