A live action remake of Disney’s “Lilo and Stitch” was released in theaters on May 23. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, known for the “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” series, the film reignites the magic of the 2002 animated classic with the same name, while introducing new elements to appeal to modern audiences.
The film’s plot stays true to the original narrative, featuring Experiment 626, an alien created by Dr. Jumba Jookiba, who escapes to Hawaii to meet Lilo Pelekai, a six-year-old girl dealing with the loss of her parents. One of the strongest updates in this version is how it gives more emotional depth to Lilo’s teenage sister Nani Pelekai’s struggles as a teenager who must balance the responsibilities of raising Lilo while managing household work and financial burdens. As a result, Nani feels relatable and her story is more emotionally realistic.
The new film also stays true to the theme of ‘ohana,’ that family means no one gets left behind or forgotten, by showcasing Lilo and Stitch’s newly formed bond as well as Lilo and Nani’s sisterhood. Both the original and live action versions emphasize how love and support can sustain familial relationships, which is beneficial to the plot by giving the characters a reason to fight to keep their family together against the antagonists.
However, the remake omitted Captain Gantu, who was a significant antagonist in the original, and only included Dr. Jookiba and Pleakley, who were the two main characters tasked with re-capturing Stitch and bringing him back to his home planet. As a result, the absence of a central villain as intimidating as the original movie’s Captain Gantu diminished the tension in the plot. In addition, Dr. Jookiba and Pleakley were reduced to exaggerated caricatures because they served more as comedic relief than as genuine threats to the main characters. Their presence lacked the menace needed to raise the stakes of the plot.
From a visual standpoint, the advancements in CGI since the original movie significantly enhanced the realism of Stitch’s design. Stitch felt more lifelike, so his interactions with human characters feel natural. The film also notably made an effort to authentically represent Hawaiian culture by casting local actors Sydney Agudong and Maia Kealoha.
Overall, this adaptation is visually impressive as a live-action remake and is still full of the same charm that made the original film a worldwide hit. “Lilo & Stitch” is absolutely worth your time because it is the perfect family movie that delivers a heartfelt message about the importance of putting family first.
