Lilo & Stitch (2025) – Movie Reviews by Ry!

Lilo & Stitch (2025) – Of Hearts and Stars … We are Ohana

In a combination of fantasy and reality, telling a story can be intuitive.  Blending genres create contrast, but it also raises the level of a film’s journey.  From genre to medium, it becomes prudent that when taking a creative risk, there is something to be had … especially adapting an animated classic.  In this review, I look at the latest Disney live-action remake.  In this latest foray, we embark through familiarity with a bit of emotional value.  Lilo & Stitch might not change the game, but it is a journey that shows the meaning of family and heart.

When two worlds collide, a Hawaiian girl and an alien will form a friendship that showcases the true meaning of mended hearts.  In a world of remakes and adaptation, there is always the thought that crosses everyone’s mind … how does it compare to the original.  Through every twist and turn, every scene and emotional moment, the idea of seeing ‘what was before’ will always come to one’s mind.  In any case, the attempt to separate one from the other is hard, but it becomes prudent to see the film as it stands within its new guise.  With this latest Disney live-action remake, it moves along familiar beats, but it provides a placement where heart is shown.  In the beginning, we are introduced to Experiment 626 (aka Stitch), who is on the run from his alien home world.  After some cheesy scenes and Sci-Fi Action, his escape leads him to the Hawaiian Island of Kauai.  From here, we are introduced to the other half of the title, Lilo (Maia Kealoha).  We learn her and her sister Nani (Sydney Agudong) are struggling to make ends meet because of a prior tragedy.  After a series of general conversations and more character introduction (you can view on the film’s IMdb Page – link), Lilo befriends Stitch at an animal shelter, taking him to be her new ‘dog’.  From here, the film moves along familiar beats (from the original), but plays with situations and relationships that are elevated by the live-action aura.  Through their relationship, Lilo and Stitch provide a complimentary reflection of their own personality.  Through their random forays, you go through scenes of situational humor and humanistic overtures that blend thematic value with childish antics.  Even when you think about the original, you realize this remake provides a unique turn of familial layering within levity of personal growth.  It is this spin of silliness and poignancy that adds emotional value to the clichés and archetypal characters found in any Disney tale.  The rambunctious nature of Lilo creates a true contrast to Nani’s struggle to provide for her and her sister; a tug-a-war of delightful intrigue and honest family moments.

As the journey moves along, the value of relationships is heightened by the certainty of each of our main characters’ reality.  These situations collide, elevating moments with emotional sequences that create another layer of human value to the live-action remake.  As both Lilo and Stitch’s situations reach a boiling point, we head into a third act of bombastic sequences, heartfelt moments and reflective situations.  With the truth coming to light, it builds towards a full-circle climax and a wholesome like epilogue.  Lilo & Stitch might not be a game changer, but it does provide a fun escape with heart.  If you are a fan of the property, Disney or family-like films, this is one for you.  I believe there is enough here for the whole family to enjoy on the big screen.

Full Score – 3.5 out of 5 (Matinee)