The Wasteland Reviewer

Lilo & Stitch (2025) Written Review

Are we happy that Disney is doing this again? Yet another live action remake of a beloved Disney classic. Lilo & Stitch is a modern classic for sure as one of the few Disney Animation efforts from the early 2000s that made a commercial and critical impact. This film blends science fiction elements with its alien characters and Hawaiian sensibilities as it follows two sisters trying to make it one their own after their parents die. With only 21 years passing since the original, this is one of the most recent remakes coming the audience’s way. Many feel this is already such a great film and not enough time has passed for this to feel warranted.

Does Dean Fleischer Camp offer up an engaging and moving reimagining of this Disney classic? He certainly does. For those in “the know”. Camp comes off the infinitely charming and moving cinematic experience that is Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. Likely, Camp channels his work on that film and delivers plenty of emotion for this remake of Lilo & Stitch. There are a few scenes in this film that will get those tears flowing. The core relationships between Lilo and Nani (the sisters) as well as Lilo and Stitch provide plenty of heartfelt and moving sequences. Moving and charming are not enough either as Camp is able to provide humor as well. There are some elements that fall flat in the comedy department, but the endless chaotic shenanigans of Stitch and some sassy characters (including Lilo) provide plenty of laughs. This is a film clocking in closer to two hours, but Camp keeps the pace going from its opening action sequence. This is no vapid rip-off…the emotions certainly work.

Does this new and expanded screenplay work for this remake? That is a little more hit or miss. The dynamic between Lilo and Nani has plenty of layers and complexities that flesh out the experience. Nani has plenty of struggles as she has a potential college career to look forward to as well as a successful surfing career in her past. But the need to take care of Lilo provides good elements of conflict and emotion. There is a neighbor character, Tutu, who adds emotions and laughter along the way. The child services aspect of the story is reworked with a new character added (who works well) but that leaves Cobra Bubbles as more of an afterthought (which is frustrating for a fan favorite character). Outside of the fun opening outer space sequence, much of the alien elements feel like afterthoughts and significantly less fun and interesting this time around. The evolution of the character of Jumba as more of a villain falls flat and makes some of the third act less interesting. There are some fun technological elements added like a portal gun and cloaking devices that work for the humor of the piece.

Does this cast deliver in bringing these beloved characters to life? Maia Kealoha is a revelation as Lilo. Sassy, charming, and empathetic, Kealoha brings so much to the table with this film and is an absolute delight on screen. Her chemistry with Sydney Agudong (Nani) is great as well. Agudong does a great job digging into the new layers to Nani’s character. Chris Sanders is a welcomed element to the film as he reprises his Stitch performance this time around. The visual effects for Stitch are fantastic and he works so well in the context of a real space. Tia Carrere is a nice addition as the child services agent and Amy Hill is a riot as Tutu. The biggest frustration is Zach Galifianakis as Jumba. His personality and approach do not sell the intimidation of this more villainous version of Jumba and he lacks the presence. Billy Magnussen is a lot of fun as Pleakley even if the character works less this time around. Courtney B. Vance is wholly under-utilized as the less highlighted Cobra Bubbles.

Is Lilo & Stitch a worthy remake from Disney? This film still delivers on an emotional level as Camp and company leverage the extra runtime to flesh out Lilo and Nani more. Some of the elements (most of the science fiction elements) just fall flat. The vibes are still there with the Hawaiian inspired music as well as all the Elvis music. This is better than most of these remakes, but the learner and superior original will still stand out for most people.