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Lilo & Stitch (2025)

Launch Date: The movie will be shown on May 23, 2025.

Behind the Scenes: Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp and written by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, Mike Van Waes, Dean DeBlois, and Chris Sanders.

Main Cast: The film features performances by Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders, Sydney Agudong, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Courtney B. Vance, Amy Hill, and Hannah Waddingham.

Rating Information: It is suitable for all audiences aged 8 and over due to action sequences, potential scares, and mature themes.

Running Time: The film runs for approximately 108 minutes.

It’s hard to believe, but here we are with the latest “Lilo & Stitch” live-action remake, marking a new chapter for Disney where they’re reimagining films from the early 2000s. Honestly, it makes me feel quite old! The original 2002 animated movie was timed perfectly for me – I was six years old at the time, and Lilo in the film is the same age when she wishes on a star for an angel while a fugitive alien called Experiment 626 lands on Earth.

I’ve watched this film numerous times without keeping track, and I firmly believe that it ranks among the greatest Disney productions of all time, even surpassing others in my personal preferences. Therefore, when I heard about Dean Fleischer Camp’s reimagining, I knew it had some pretty high expectations to meet.

Upon revisiting the tale, I’ve been delightfully charmed anew by the story through a fresh platform. It’s not about preferring this version over the animated one, but rather it’s hard to find fault with a film this endearing, especially when it manages to capture the heartwarming and emotional moments that still resonate powerfully even after two decades.

During a period of innovative exploration for the company, post the cherished Disney Renaissance, Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders introduced Stitch to us. This era was marked by films such as The Emperor’s New Groove, Atlantis: The Lost Empire, and Treasure Planet – all reflecting an unusual and adventurous spirit.

It’s enjoyable to revisit this specific film, as it’s one of the company’s most uniquely original creations – not derived from any well-known story or fairytale. The fact that it remains compelling in a fresh format underscores just how innovative and special the concept was from the start.

The latest live-action Disney remake thankfully doesn’t do CGI Stitch dirty.

Initially, my main apprehension regarding this film revolved around how they would portray Stitch in live-action, given his unique characteristics as a long-eared blue alien who pretends to be a dog throughout the narrative. This aspect works wonderfully in an animated setting but can seem implausible with real actors involved. Nevertheless, Disney has remarkably succeeded in recreating Stitch. A significant factor behind this success is the return of Chris Sanders, the voice of Stitch, who once again lends his talent. Additionally, it’s evident that the animation and effects teams put a great deal of effort into ensuring that Stitch remains as adorable and fluffy as he was in 2D animation.

Concurrently, viewers might perceive Lilo & Stitch as giving more emphasis to its human characters over the destructive alien, Stitch. This could lead to fewer comedic moments involving 626, making way for a more realistic portrayal. As a result, the narrative often appears centered around Nani and the adult characters rather than the imaginative world of Lilo. However, it’s crucial to remember that Stitch cannot exist without Lilo. The addition of newcomer Maia Kealoha infuses fresh energy and joy into the six-year-old character, making the emotional scenes even more poignant. Watching a real child express affection for an alien somehow makes the tears flow more freely than ever before.

The undeniable highlight of Lilo & Stitch is how Lilo and Nani’s sisterhood storyline is elevated.

In contrast to other Disney remakes, it appeared as if they were striving to modernize the stories, such as making Snow White’s heroine more assertive, or tweaking lyrics in The Little Mermaid. Regarding this particular title, like many fans, I initially questioned the need for a Lilo & Stitch remake. However, the creators offer justification when it comes to enhancing the narrative bond between Lilo and her elder sister, Nani, which seems to be the focus of this new adaptation.

Sydney Agudong seamlessly assumes the character of Nani, who finds herself suddenly responsible for her siblings following their parents’ untimely demise, all while juggling school, work, and teenage life. The film introduces a new social worker character, portrayed by Tia Carrere, who was the original voice actress for Nani, further anchoring the movie. Unlike in the original, Courtney B. Vance’s Cobra Bubbles seems to have a less prominent role, but similar to the rest of the film, his performance is more grounded and human compared to Ving Rhames’ initially cartoonish portrayal of the undercover CIA agent.

The live-action movie makes some third act changes that don’t work as well as the original, but not all the shake ups are bad.

The remake of Lilo & Stitch attempts to honor many iconic scenes from the original, featuring numerous memorable lines and moments reimagined in a fresh format. At times, it might seem as though the movie is hurrying through the most cherished highlights, needing to linger and let viewers savor the stunning Hawaiian landscapes. However, the creators do make some artistic adjustments to enhance its suitability for live-action presentation.

The outcomes are varied yet intriguing to observe unfold. For instance, Jumba and Pleakley, the two aliens employed by the United Galactic Federation to capture Stitch on Earth, significantly reduce their time spent in alien form and instead assume human disguises during their stay in Hawaii, which makes sense given the circumstances. Frankly, these two aliens appear quite intimidating in live-action performances, so I can understand why they would do this. Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen admirably portray their roles, but it seems that some of the humor from the animated version is missing here.

In this rephrased version: Pleakley seems to have the least significant part in comparison to Jumba, who gets a larger role, albeit less dynamic until the third act. The movie’s unexpected twists later on offer a unique charm, despite being heavily based on the original storyline. The revised versions of Lilo & Stitch particularly strengthen the recurring theme of “Ohana,” making the overall experience worthwhile.

Regarding Disney remakes, particularly for the much-adored film like Lilo & Stitch from 2002, Dean Fleischer Camp’s movie strikes a good balance between being true to the original and appealing to both new audiences and longtime fans who hold fond memories of it. Watching it brought back my own affection for this classic animation, and it added a fresh perspective to the story that I wouldn’t have discovered without its creation.

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2025-05-20 19:18