Disney's live-action remake of 'Lilo & Stitch' brings a fresh emotional depth to the beloved 2002 animated classic, while staying true to its heartwarming themes of family and belonging.
Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, the film stars newcomer Maia Kealoha as Lilo and Sydney Agudong as her older sister Nani. Their performances anchor the story, portraying a Hawaiian family navigating grief and resilience. The film emphasises the Hawaiian concept of 'ohana' – family – highlighting emotional bonds beyond biological ties.
Chris Sanders, who voiced Stitch in the original, returns to voice the mischievous alien, capturing his essence while adapting to the live-action format. The film also features Tia Carrere – who voiced Nani in 2002 – in a new role, adding a layer of nostalgia for fans of the original.
There are some deviations from the original. As above, Tia Carrere, plays a new character, social worker Mrs Kekoa. There is also a new character – no spoilers – who is a riff on the physical characteristics of the social worker in the original cartoon, mixed with another very famous film franchise.
Another big change is Jumba and Pleakley, who in the new film don human disguises to blend in. Some will appreciate this, others will no doubt be outraged that this updated version of the story strays too far from the original. The mini-reviewers who contributed to this article and who are MAJOR fans of the original missed more the smaller details of specific jokes, but appreciated the larger changes in the new film.
Overall, 'Lilo & Stitch' successfully blends nostalgia with contemporary storytelling, offering a heartfelt and visually captivating experience for both new audiences and longtime fans.
