Jay Rohr
Lilo & Stitch warms the heart in its own weird way. It’s easy to be cynical about these live-action cash grabs courtesy of the Disney Corporation. That doesn’t mean the remakes always miss. The biggest flaw in this film is that it’s mostly just the original animated movie. One can’t help wondering how much nostalgia plays a part in enjoying this version.
Lilo Pelekai (Maia Kealoha) and her older sister Nani (Sydney Elizabeth Agudong) are orphans living on Kauaʻi, Hawaii. Since their parents died in a tragic accident, the two have struggled to keep things in order while making sense of the loss. Being a lonely misfit without friends, Lilo adopts an odd looking “dog” from the local pound. Unaware that the curious canine, Stitch, is actually an alien’s illegal genetic experiment, a living weapon of pure destruction, she soon bonds with cuddlesome chaos incarnate. Lilo’s affection soon brings out the best in the rambunctious critter. When extraterrestrial forces come to capture Stitch, he must protect the only family he’s ever known.
The movie remains mostly true to the original 2002 narrative. There have been a few characters added as well as alterations to the plot. However, Lilo & Stitch 2025 is pretty much Lilo & Stitch 2002.
The live adaptation often echoes the original animated feature. This means recreating some of the best scenes from the source material. The problem, though, becomes a matter of wondering why not just watch the original. Curiosity about what’s different may be a motivating factor, but not one that should compel anyone out to the cineplex.
In the past, Disney never had a problem briefly re-releasing their hits to theaters for anniversaries or whatever excuse they could concoct to milk an old cash cow. And they would sometimes do better at the box office than their initial releases. These repeated live adaptations seem like an attempt to provide the false impression of getting something fresh.
Many of the few new details here seem entirely unnecessary. Disney appears to be under the impression fans need superfluous tidbits like what specifically happened to Cinderella’s mother to enjoy these family-friendly films. Granted, in this era of excessive internet nitpicking, it’s not necessarily a bad call. However, very few of the changes to Lilo & Stitch add anything to the film other than a higher tear happy ending — pun intended.
Anyone that’s gotten verklempt watching Stitch during the ohana means family scene — be prepared. Live Stitch turns on the waters works as well as the original. I’ve been in a death metal band, and I cried. (Just a little.) Mirthful and emotionally marvelous moments from the original animated film are all here, carefully recreated including an adorable CGI Stitch. Occasionally performers seem to be struggling at interacting with something that isn’t there, but the cuteness of the critter cannot be denied. When other aliens enter the equation, though, the illusion gets a little harder to swallow.
Scenes involving solely extraterrestrial entities such as the opening Galactic Council meeting, where Stitch is exiled, are flawless. That’s because everything on screen is computer animated. Stitch seems to have been carefully crafted to fit a life like scenario, while the other aliens remain too close to their cartoon source material. There’s an ephemeral quality to animation which makes even the outlandish plausible, but here, for instance, Agent Pleakley always looks fake on Earth.
Fortunately, the main focus is on Lilo and Stitch. Experiment 626 is scary-cute. This blue koala-chainsaw hybrid seems huggable even when comically destructive and original voice actor Chris Sanders does such a good job reprising the role one might think filmmakers just reused the old audio.
Meanwhile, newcomer Maia Kealoha makes her big screen debut as Lilo. She captures the unflinching optimism of someone unafraid to be unusual, especially when it means being optimistic and kind. It’s easy to believe she’s in love with the rowdy Stitch no matter what.
In a different vein, Sydney Elizabeth Agudong (West Michigan) captures the exasperation of Nani as well as her struggle to remain sunny for her sister. There’s a real sense of someone holding back a lot of frustration while increasingly sinking. Yet, Agudong also manages to never come across as bitter.
What’s interesting about Lilo & Stitch is how much of the original voice cast managed to come back to fill other roles. Besides Chris Sanders, Jason Scott Lee (The Wind & the Reckoning) and Tia Carrere (Paradise) return to take on different parts. They’re both solid in their new roles.
Taking over as the Grand Council Woman, Hanna Waddingham (Ted Lasso) sounds regal, graceful, and dangerous depending on the needed tone. Amy Hill (50 First Dates) is a fabulous addition to the film. Her comedic timing and warm presence make the new character of Tūtū, the Pelekais’ neighbor, a welcome addition.
Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover) takes on the role of Dr. Jumba Jookiba with Agent Pleakley in tow, played by Billy Magnussen (Into the Woods). The latter throws himself into the part, often contorting his expressions like a cartoon character. Yet, compared to Kevin McDonald who voiced the character in 2002, he just doesn’t nail down as satisfying a comedic performance. Similar can be said of Galifianakis, who scowls through most of the film. Perhaps it’s supposed to come across as villainously menacing, but he seems more like an annoyed tourist than a nefarious evil alien scientist. Meanwhile, he fails to achieve the same humorous pomposity David Ogden Stiers accomplished.
Lilo & Stitch echoes the original animated feature well enough. Some of its best parts are simply recreations of the 2002 film. In that respect, it’s fine, however, since Lilo & Stitch never really takes risks there feels like little point to this picture. The movie never produces enough fresh takes to escape the shadow of its source material. This could be a nice diversion on family movie night when it hits streaming. There’s almost no reason to race to theaters. Until then, watch the animated original.
