Lilo & Stitch (2025) - Film Review

      Lilo & Stitch, 2025.

      Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp.

      Featuring Maia Kealoha, Sydney Agudong, Chris Sanders, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen, Courtney B. Vance, Amy Hill, Tia Carrere, Kaipo Dudoit, Hannah Waddingham, Jason Scott Lee, Celia Kenney, Brutus LaBenz, Skyler Bible, Judy Nguyen, Christian Yeung, Courtney Coleman, Christina Souza, Emery Ho‘okano-Briel, Justin Martin, and Isabelle Du.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A lonely Hawaiian girl forms a friendship with a runaway alien, aiding in the restoration of her fractured family.

      In a landscape filled with emotionless and lifeless remakes, it is refreshing to announce that the live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch, directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, successfully tugs at the heartstrings and enriches its core Hawaiian family relationships and character portrayals. The challenge, however, is that Disney seems to overlook the fact that animation is a medium rather than a genre (one would think they would understand this clearly), failing to recognize that regardless of the talented director overseeing the project (Dean Fleischer Camp, known for the excellent Marcel the Shell With Shoes On), translating the humor, jokes, and overall plot can appear awkward, even if the CGI depiction of Stitch, a blue alien resembling a koala, is more fitting than, for example, lions.

      In animated form, it's natural to chuckle and dismiss humans questioning whether Stitch is a dog or trying to pass as one unnoticed. However, in live-action, it becomes challenging to overlook, especially when the alien perpetually creates chaos that can be dangerous, whether it involves young Lilo (who is portrayed with optimistic innocence and vivacity by Maia Kealoha) or diners outdoors during a fire incident.

      At some point, the realism of the live-action aspect becomes apparent, prompting a desire for characters to take the destruction and alien presence more seriously instead of treating it as harmless mischief. There are still moments of humor, with the relationship between Lilo and Stitch appearing sweet, but much of it lacks comedic impact. The live-action format primarily bears the blame since, during the all-CGI introduction on Stitch’s home planet, the jokes land effectively, including a humorous chess scene.

      It's possible that some might read this and question whether this critic knows how to enjoy themselves or suspend disbelief. In response, it's vital to mention that something consistently feels off with these Disney live-action remakes, from their uncanny nature and lifeless expressions to flat musical arrangements and muted colors. Lilo & Stitch is no different.

      It’s a nearly indescribable sentiment, but the straightforward reality is that, like many Disney live-action remakes, something was lost in translation, the essence evaded me, and I found myself wishing for the animated version. This is particularly frustrating since Stitch, as a CGI creation, is charmingly depicted here, and Chris Sanders, the original film's director, returns to voice him.

      Nonetheless, in this iteration, the dynamics of the humans are more engaging than the relationship between human and alien. With a screenplay from Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes (inspired by the 2003 original by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois), the characters are more developed, reflected in a runtime nearly 25 minutes longer than the animated version.

      The sisterly bond between Lilo and her guardian Nani (Sydney Agudong) receives additional focus, highlighting Nani's challenges in embodying a responsible parental figure, their interests, aspirations, and how their relationship evolved from siblings to a mother-daughter dynamic following their parents’ passing. Fans of the original will remember that “Ohana” means family, emphasizing that no one should be left behind. However, this version wisely implies that while this is significant, it should not come at the cost of individual fulfillment.

      They are visited by social care worker Mrs. Kekoa (Tia Carrere, the original voice of Nani), who recognizes Nani's efforts in trying her best. Much of that dedication is undermined by the spirited duo of Lilo and Stitch, who either inadvertently jeopardize her job or groove to Elvis Presley. Lilo, an outcast among her hula classmates, is drawn to the eccentric, energetic Stitch.

      Lilo yearns for a best friend, and Stitch initially takes advantage of her desire to hide from two aliens intent on returning him to his home planet. They are the egotistical scientist Dr. Jumba Jookiba and Agent Pleakley, who attempt to blend in as humans by posing as vacationers played by Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen, believing that giving off a “best friend” aura will benefit them. Mostly, this results in cheap fish-out-of-water humor and performances exaggerated to a cartoonish