Film Review: Lilo & Stitch

Disney has reimagined a lot of classics for the last few decades now. All the way from Alice in Wonderland to Mulan, there has been an assortment of updated live-action adaptions of their animated classics. It was bound to happen sooner or later but they have introduced some recent hits that are now considered classics. We may have Moana on the way but today I am talking about Lilo & Stitch, which only came out in 2002 which is just over two decades old now but still feels fairly recent. The question is does Disney do a good job at updating it for live action?

Lilo & Stitch relishes in its Hawaiian setting for the majority of the film. The spark and heart of the film is within the sci-fi elements, however. Lilo feels like a fish out of water with hardly any friends, and she meets a cute and lovable alien whom she names Stitch. Stitch is mischievous and disastrous. The two of them make an unlikely but entertaining duo as they attempt not to draw attention to themselves. This live-action remake retains that core element that made the original film a massive success. Lilo is here played here by newcomer Maia Kealoha with returning voice actor and previous director Chris Sanders providing the voice for Stitch.

The film is a little disorientating at times for fans of the original film. This is because some scenes and parts of the film are almost a shot-for-shot remake of the animated version. Other scenes feel tweaked, different or extended. This is due to the nature that not everything animated works in live-action but there are some decisions that filmmaker Dean Fleischer Camp made which feel vastly inferior when compared to the tropical original. Some examples include the removal of Gantu, an alien soldier tasked with bringing Stitch back home. Instead the role of the villain is Dr. Jumba Jookiba, who is played by Zach Galifianakis. Himself and Billy Magnussen, who plays Agent Pleakley, are a great duo but they spend most of the film in a human form which does no have the same charm as the ridiculous outfits from the original.

You may notice that I am comparing this updated version with the film it is based on a lot and you can’t help but make these comparisons when you have grown up with the 2002 film. For newcomers this is the perfect family friendly summer film from Disney. The songs transport you to the lush vistas of Hawaii, and the story is captivating and full of warmth and love. Sydney Elizebeth Agudong is one of the highlights of the film as Lilo’s older sister Nani, who captures a more youthful spin on the character.

In all fairness, Lilo & Stitch works pretty well as a film on its own right with some great visual effects and a heartwarming, feel-good story. Stitch is just as lovable and chaotic as you remember with some new moments and scenes in the film which help add to his sense of innocence. As a remake it feels a little inferior, but for new audiences it aims to delight and make you smile which it so deservedly achieves.

★★★☆☆

3/5

Final Verdict:

Lilo & Stitch re-captures a lot of the magic of the original film, in some ways a little too well. Fans of the characters and the original film will have a big sense of nostalgia, but also a sense that something is off. Some story changes and character changes make the film a little different and updated, which sometimes works in its favour. Nani and Lilo’s relationship is the heart of the film and Stitch just brings chaos into their lives which they learn they have to live with. Every family is chaotic, this film just reminds you that families don’t have to be perfect either.

Thanks for reading today’s blog!

Alex Murray, the Head of Eyesight Productions