A charming and heartwarming remake that captures the magic of its animated counterpart.
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There’s a certain magic in animated films that can never be captured in live-action remakes – especially ones so beloved through generations – but director Dean Fleischer Camp may have beat the odds with Disney’s latest live-action animated film Lilo & Stitch.
Starring Maia Kealoha in her film debut as Lilo Pelekai and featuring the voice of original Lilo & Stitch writer-director Chris Sanders as Stitch, the film also stars Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Hannah Waddingham, Billy Magnussen, Zach Galifianakis, Courtney B. Vance, Tia Carrere, Amy Hill, and Jason Scott Lee.
Somewhere in space, The United Galactic Federation convicts rogue scientist Dr. Jumba Jookiba (Galifianakis) guilty of unauthorised genetic experiment, creating Experiment 626—an extremely powerful, highly intelligent, and virtually indestructible creature. As punishment, 626 is banished but he manages to escape via a spacecraft that ultimately crashes on planet Earth. The Federation’s Councilwoman (a commanding Waddingham) sends Dr. Jookiba and Earth expert Agent Pleakley (a scene-stealing Magnussen) to retrieve him.
On Earth or Hawaii to be exact, sisters Nani (Agudong) and Lilo are forced to fend for themselves after being orphaned years prior. Nani struggles to not only keep up with school and work but also taking care of her spirited younger sister. Visits from social worker Mrs Kekoa (Carrere who voiced Nani in the original film) add stress to the situation, with child protective services threatening to place Lilo in foster care. To some extent, Nani has better support here than the original film, having neighbour and David’s grandma Tūtū (Hill) around for help. Nevertheless, the rebellious Lilo remains lonely – not haing any friends due to her “weirdness” – so she wishes on a shooting star to send her a best friend.
In comes Stitch (aka Experiment 626), as named by Lilo from hearing a word Nani says on their drive home. Having found him hiding out at an animal shelter, Lilo decides to adopt him thinking he’s a dog (even if he’s blue and can talk, but he’s cute and fluffy so whatever works!), desperate for him to be the friend she needs, unknowingly adding more chaos to the sisters’ lives.
There is much to praise for the character design of everyone’s favourite blue alien here where he's successfully converted to 3D offering, retaining all his best (and worst) qualities. It helps that he’s voiced by the same person, allowing a sense of familiarity. Wildly emotive and cuddly, Stitch remains one of Disney’s best characters in every form.
At its core, Lilo & Stitch remains an unerring adaptation, save for some updates that may or may not sit well with fans of the original. For instance, removing Captain Gantu and villifying Dr Jookiba in his place – a move that seems like a cop-out in favour of having more focus on the human aspects of the film. To the filmmakers’ credit, this works – most notably with the wonderful addition of Tūtū who adds a certain level of gravitas to the film and Nani, exceptionally portrayed by an endearing Agudong who proves worthy of her character’s spotlight focus her animated counterpart was lacking.
If you're familiar with the original film, you'll remember a stirring scene where Stitch runs away and gets lost. While that is notably missing here, he does have an equally touching albeit dark scene that calls back to the time when Lilo sang "Aloha 'Oe" ("One fond embrace, ere I depart, until we meet again") and taught him hula (the film actually has a number of clever callbacks with some proving pivotal to the film's climax.) The weightiness of this moment adds emotional depth to a film rich and unyielding of its key message we all know by heart – "Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten."
Screenwriters Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes are put in a tough spot between staying faithful to the original and refreshing it with changes and additions without diverting from its core themes of family and friendship. Thankfully they’re able to balance the two and offer an equally delightable story for the ages.
Disney’s Lilo & Stitch, released 23 years after its original counterpart, is still as charming and heartwarming as ever, with plenty of laughs for adults and kids alike to enjoy.
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