Fun With Ohana!!!!! Live Action Adaptation of 2002 Classic Ranks Near The Top of Disney Reimaginings!!!!
Review By BJ Porter
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| So...what exactly is he? |
The Story
Some of us ponder whether or not we’re alone in the universe. For one family, that question is about to get answered and a very unexpected way. For 6-year-old Lilo (Maia Kealoha), things haven’t been easy since the passing of her parents. Her struggles to form connections with others make her loneliness that much harder. In an attempt to help her with this, her guardian and older sister, Nani (Sydney Agudong) gets the idea of giving her her own furry companion. While a ton of the fur babies at the shelter are appealing upon first glance, one catches her eye and heart almost instantly. With his blue fur and innocent-looking demeanor, Lilo and her new furry BFF, whom she names Stitch (Chris Sanders), set off on their new life together. However, upon getting him home, Lilo and Nani soon start to realize that their new houseguest is unlike any dog they’ve ever encountered. In fact, Stitch actually isn’t a dog at all. He is actually an escaped genetic experiment designation code 626 who is being hunted by the Galactic Federation after being branded a dangerous fugitive. His original programming was designed for him to be a force of destruction, making his ability to be domesticated next to impossible. With federal agents, intergalactic bounty hunters, and his creator Jumba Jookiba (Zach Galifianakis) closing in to apprehend the blue furry menace, Stitch must learn to adapt to his new settings, overcome his original programming, and discover what it truly means to be part of a family.
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| Lilo and her new "puppy" cause some commotion |
The Review
Summer is about to get a whole lot more chaotic in the live-action adaptation of the beloved 2002 animated classic. Director Dean Fliecher Camp film brings Disney’s island and galaxy-spanning adventure to with a new twist, but still full of the blue-laced chaos and antics from the mischief extraterrestrial himself Experiment 626. After going on this Hawaiian roller coaster ride with Disney’s iconic duo, Lilo and Stitch, is a genuinely enjoyable adaptation of the 2002 animated film. The stigma around Disney's live-action "reimaginings" is a strong point of contention for those who want the studio to invest in fresh stories. But Disney continues to do live-action modern updates nonetheless. While some haven't hit well with audiences, there are times when some of them do. Lilo and Stitch manages to be an enjoyable family film that respects the animated predecessor while also forming an identity of its own. There are a lot of things to love about this movie, but the obvious place to start is the performances. Despite it being her big screen debut, Maia Kealoha absolutely shines as Lilo. I don't think I've seen an actress in a Disney live-action film in a while who truly embodies their animated counterpart. Kealoha brilliantly captures the chaotic essence of Lilo as well as the deep-seated loneliness that hides the character's true inner turmoil. The heart and soul she brings to this interpretation is what truly makes the film such a delight to watch. But what is a leading lady without her equally incredible screen partner? I think it is safe to say that Stitch is just as unhinged and downright fun to watch in live action as he is in animated form. From his appearance, dialogue, body language, and on-screen presence, the animation team outdid themselves in bringing the character to life, making him feel more alive than ever. What's more is that you truly feel the extent of Stitch's arc as he goes from an instrument of destruction to someone willing to change for the ones he cares about. This version of the character works just as well as his 2D counterpart, which is a rare thing to say when talking about photorealistic interpretations of these iconic characters. Credit also goes to Chris Sanders for reprising his role and adding the additional thematic layers to this version of him.
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| Being this chaotically adorable is thirty work. |
The supporting cast is solid in their own right as well. Sydney Agudong's version of Nani is unique from her animated counterpart as the movie gives her a personal journey amidst the trials she encounters. Nani is still the paternal figure in the film, but this time around, she is dealing with not only the struggles of raising her sister but also the personal hurdles of putting her dreams on hold as a result. Agudong crafts a modern update while still displaying that great sense of sisterly love that is at the heart of the character. The rest of the cast enhances the movie in a way that adds to its entertainment value quite a bit. Kaipo Dudoit is good as David, but isn't given much to do as his animated counterpart. Thankfully, the addition of Amy Hill's TuTu picks up the slack. A new addition exclusively for the live-action film, Tutu acts as a great motherly figure to the ensemble while adding her own sense of humor. Others like Courtney B Vance, Zach Galifianakis, and Hannah Waddingham are good in their roles as Cobra Bubbles, Jumbo, and The Grand Councilwoman, with Galifianakis doing what he can to add his own spin to the character, despite it still not being on the level of the late David Stiers. But if we're gonna give an unsung MVP award in this film, it has to go to Billy Magnussen as Pleakley. I truly underestimated how absolutely perfect he was in the role. Magnussen's physical comedy in human form and vocal performance as the character in animated form are darn near spot on to the animated version. This is a great example of casting done right. Aside from performances, one of the things that makes Lilo and Stitch work so well is its ability to strike a good balance when it comes to honoring the original while doing things that differentiate itself from it. For me, the best Disney live-action films make changes to the established narrative that complement the modernization aesthetic. A good example of this was found in 2023's The Little Mermaid. That film changed Ariel's motivations, but the changes allowed her to be driven by more than just her own desires. It added more complexity and nuance to the character, and the movie benefited as a result. The same can be found here. Lilo and Stitch has changes to its narrative while still maintaining the heart of what makes these characters so beloved. Not all of the remakes manage to do this, but you can tell the difference between the ones that do and the ones that fall short. On top of all of that, the movie is fun to watch as we see the chaos unfold on screen..mainly because of Stitch. The quick-witted humor fit well and kept me laughing throughout. If I had to label a criticism, the film's pacing is a bit accelerated compared to the animated film, which is crazy considering the film is longer than the 2002 classic. It speeds through a lot of scenes, some pretty iconic from the original. However, some of the elements removed from this version of the story contribute to those decisions. But despite all of that, I still say that this is the most fun I've had watching a live-action Disney film in a while. The movie also isn't short on heart, as some emotional moments do their job effectively in the places they're supposed to, with a few that really stand out. That says a lot about Camp's understanding of tone and his knack for genuine heartfelt storytelling. Overall, Lilo and Stitch is such a fun family romp that honors the original yet still stands on its own as a genuine feel-good movie. I can't say enough about the great job everyone involved did in making arguably one of the best Disney reimaginings in quite some time. Given the stigma surrounding this practice, it's reassuring to know that some of these stories can translate well into live-action. It may not be as iconic as the original, but it does accomplish the rare feat of being just as entertaining as the animated counterpart that preceded it.
Final Score Rating
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Lilo and Stitch has a lot going for it, but what makes it more impressive is what it accomplishes given the odds stacked against it: being a Disney live-action remake that does the rare thing of being just as fun and heartwarming as the animated version that came before.
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| Surfing to the top of everyone's Disney GOAT list |
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