Review - Lilo & Stitch (2025)

       Hey guys, Chuck here. Well, I finally got to see the live-action remake of Disney's Lilo & Stitch, directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, and starring Maia Kealoha, Sydney Elizabeth Adugong, Amy Hill, Kaipo Dudoit, Courtney B. Vance, and Tia Carrere, with the vocal talents of Chris Sanders, Billy Magnussen, Hannah Waddingham, and Zach Galifinakis. 

       So, the plot of this movie is pretty verbatim to the animated original. The Galactic Federation has captured Dr. Jumba Jookiba and his latest creation, Experiment 626, and the latter escapes in a red space cruiser. Crash landing on Earth, 626, later referred to as Stitch, comes to be taken in by a girl named Lilo, who is being raised by her elder sister Nani in Hawaii, and all manner of hijinks ensue. 

     Where to start? First, the human performances were really good. Both Maia Kealoha and Sydney Elizabeth Adugong were fantastic as Lilo and Nani, and their dynamic was very on point for their original animated counterparts. Both Amy Hill and Kaipo Dudoit as Tūtū and David were great additions, and were a lot of fun. For the limited screentime he got, and while certainly no substitute for Ving Rhames, I did enjoy Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles. And, I thought that Tia Carrere, the original voice of Nani, was an excellent addition as Mrs. Kekoa. 

      The animated characters, however, are a mixed bag for me. While I loved Chris Sanders as the voice of Stitch, as well as both Billy Magnussen as Pleakley and Hannah Waddingham as the Grand Councilwoman, it was Zach Galifinakis as Jumba that didn't quite hit it for me. Also, the visual effects design for Stitch was perfect, both the rest were a mixed bag, with Jumba being just...not good. 

      Okay, so, there are a number of changes from the original animated film that many fans haven't taken kindly to. However, these are changes that I, myself, am sort of impartial to. For instance, having Tūtū taking custody of Lilo, allowing Nani to go to college to study marine biology. Okay, while I understand the issue here, a friend of mine, who goes to Hawaii regularly, cleared it up for me, and so I have a better understanding in that regard. Plus, it helps that Lilo already has a kinship with both Tūtū and David. As for the characterization of Jumba in this movie, it was very much in like with his animated counterpart, but without Gantu to take the villain role, Jumba doesn't get the heroic turn he begrudgingly takes in the end. 

      And, speaking of which, just because Gantu isn't in this movie, which was explained as being due to aesthetics and budgetary reasons, doesn't mean that he won't show up for a sequel. And, judging by how well this movie did at the box office, we're more than likely getting more. I mean, they set up both Angel and Experiment 627, so what is that if not foreshadowing for a sequel? 

        Anyway, I had a decent time with this one. Is it the best of the Disney live-action remakes? No, that's still the 2015 version of Cinderella. But, it's still a fun time at the theater, especially for kids and families. Other than that, I recommend waiting for this one to drop on Disney+. 

       Alright guys, this is Chuck signing off, and I'll see you guys in the next review.