LILO & STITCH
Genre: Family, Adventure
Directed by: Dean Fleisher Camp
Starring: Maia Kealoha, Sydney Agudong, Chris Sanders
Release Date: May 23rd
Platform: Theater
Rating: 3/5
By Stephen Lackey
“Ultimately, the LILO & STITCH live-action remake is a well-intentioned, if flawed reimagining that attempts to bring a more realistic take on family to the forefront.”
Disney’s latest live-action adaptation, LILO & STITCH, takes one of its most offbeat and beloved animated classics and reimagines it with a more grounded sensibility. The result is a film that softens the chaos but retains much of the heart—though not all the magic—of the original. For fans of the 2002 favorite, this is a more subdued but still affectionate take on the story of a lonely girl, her adopted alien “dog”, and the beautifully messy concept of family.
What’s immediately noticeable in this version is the shift in tone. Gone is the frenetic, sci-fi cartoon energy of the original; in its place is an attempt at a quieter, more grounded family drama, with occasional bursts of intergalactic weirdness. The decision to make Jumba and Pleakley fully human for most of the film is clearly part of a broader strategy to root the story in a more believable reality. It’s inconsistent though. Most people don’t seem to be freaked out at the site of Stitch. They basically react with, “that’s a weird dog”.
This version reworks the concept of ohana. Here, extended family plays a more prominent role, and the isolation Lilo felt in the animated version is lessened by the presence of extended family, and community members who pop in and out of the narrative. It’s a warm, if slightly crowded, depiction of Hawaiian life, and while it sometimes dilutes the emotional punch of Lilo and Nani’s struggles, it also adds texture. The sibling relationship between Lilo and Nani, is given more realism—less shouting matches, more quiet tension and exhausted compromise.
Maia Kealoha as Lilo is the heart of this film. Her performance is full of charm, curiosity, and a subtle melancholy that perfectly captures the character’s longing for connection. She manages to bring both mischief and depth to the role, and her chemistry with Stitch—who remains a CGI creation—anchors the film. Their relationship still delivers laughs and sweetness, though the chaos is dialed down considerably. Stitch is more pet than agent of destruction this time around, which may disappoint some fans but makes sense given the film’s overall more realistic tone.
The addition of a more fleshed-out social worker character adds both realism and emotional heft. Unfortunately, this makes the reappearance of Cobra Bubbles—a character who once worked as comic relief and plot driver—feels unnecessary and awkwardly shoehorned in. In this new context, his character lacks the oddball charm he once had and instead feels like an obligatory callback. The additional focus on the social worker and the new character Tutu does cause the movie to drag in the middle.
Ultimately, the LILO & STITCH live-action remake is a well-intentioned, if flawed reimagining that attempts to bring a more realistic take on family to the forefront. It sacrifices some of the original’s wild spirit in favor of emotional grounding with mixed results. Maia Kealoha shines, and the film’s message remains heartfelt, if a little more conventional. Is it essential viewing? Not quite. But it’s a pleasant enough visit to the islands—a movie that’s okay, not great, but still manages to tug on the heartstrings in familiar ways.
