23 years after the world was introduced to Stitch, the cutest, playfully disobedient little experiment, he returns to the screen in Disney’s latest live-action adaptation, Lilo & Stitch!
Dean Fleischer Camp helms the story of found family, grief, and identity, really dialling up the emotional beats. The concept of “ohana” is palpable throughout the entire runtime. It represents the importance of community, support, and looking out for one another, whether blood relatives or otherwise. At a time when many people are struggling to find support systems and we’ve grown more disconnected than ever, it’s powerful to revisit the idea of “ohana.”
Maia Kealoha as Lilo perfectly nails the character with expert authenticity. At such a young age, I was so impressed by her ability to channel Lilo’s distinct various attributes–from mischievous to caring. Courtney B. Vance, Billy Magnussen, Amy Hill, and Tia Carrere (the original voice of Nani) were all excellent additions to the story. Their performances enhanced each character’s impact, with Hill and Carrere playing entirely new characters that served the film’s themes well.
The other casting left something to be desired. However, I don’t blame Zach Galifianakis or Kaipo Dudoit for this, since changing aspects of their characters is really what didn’t quite land with these versions of Dr. Jumba Jookiba and David Kawena. Sydney Agudong was good as Nani, but I couldn’t help but wish the role had gone to someone who embodied more of what the animated Nani represents.
This film immerses us in the Hawaiian people’s rich culture and lively atmosphere. How beautiful the community is, inside and out. They hold their values firm, and I appreciate the strong emphasis on that in this adaptation, successfully honoring the original film in this way. Camp is the co-creator and director of Marcel the Shell, following up that heartfelt character story with another one. Disney’s best decision was tapping him to helm this project; he breathed so much love and upheld what made the original so special. The bond between our titular characters is still the beating heart. Still, like the original, the blend of the supporting characters and the backdrop of Hawaii adds layers of depth to satisfy fans of the original and a new generation.
This version feels slightly more mature than the original, with the climactic sequence tearing your heartstrings. As a cat owner, I was a mess of tears during the last act. As I mentioned, I think some of the changes made were unnecessary and took me out of moments, as I didn’t understand why specific characters’ journeys would go the way they did. There’s also a lack of familial chemistry between Lilo, Stitch, Nani, and David, which is integral to the original. It always baffles me how a film with so much more runtime fails to accomplish what the original seamlessly did in less time, and I wish we saw more of the building of their relationships together.
If you’re feeling the live-action adaptation fatigue, you’re not alone. Every successful animated story finds a lackluster second life on screen this way. I’m not a fan of hearing the news about each one, especially when the original is a pretty recent film *cough,Moana*, but this adaptation of Lilo & Stitch has felt the most justified. The themes of found family and accepting others despite their differences are valuable lessons to reintroduce to young audiences. Even if you’re not enthusiastic about these adaptations, I highly recommend giving this one a shot.
Although it’s not a perfect film, I was surprised by how affected I was as the credits rolled. Brimming with heart and emotionally resonant themes, Lilo & Stitch is an excellent example of reimagining a beloved story and honoring what made it special. I hope this opens the doors to seeing more of these characters and their stories in the future. I can’t get enough of how cute live-action Stitch was!
Rating: 7.5/10