Given the point that Disney live-action adaptations tend to be more misses than hits, I had no plans to watch Lilo & Stitch initially. Or, at the very least, I’d wait until it was available for streaming on Disney+. But a last-minute decision with zero expectations proved to be a good one because, in every way it matters, Lilo & Stitch is solid—hilarious, poignant, and memorable.
As a more serious narrative in Disney’s lineup that explores topics requiring a lot of nuance and attention despite a cute blue alien, Lilo & Stitch was always going to be more challenging to adapt. The kids will find a plethora of joy in the movie, while the adults will feel the crushing weight of what childcare looks like, how American governments perceive Hawaiian natives, and the pangs of grief many of us know too intimately.
It’s worth noting that there are points that should have been given more attention in the film to explore colonization and occupation that the animated film explores, but if there is a sequel, depending on how this performs, I hope that’s what’s prioritized.
What’s often been the problem with some live-action remakes boils down to the CGI and how the non-human characters are brought to life. There’s also the matter of lighting and cinematography, which, in some cases, allows us to lose the magic of the original films. At the same time, when the adaptations don’t add something new, the material feels stagnant on top of the other issues. Thankfully, however, Dean Fleischer Camp’s directorial vision works to create something that feels both out-of-this-world fabricated and surprisingly grounded. It’s not only easy to get lost in the nostalgia, but it’s also easy to experience the story. Because Lilo & Stitch is rooted in a family story, the adaptation feels achingly raw from beginning to end, making it a comforting film as opposed to one we should critique.
In other words, I knew I’d maybe choke up once or twice, but I didn’t expect to full-blown ugly cry, and the feelings are largely because of what we get with Nani, Lilo, and Stitch.
“Ohana means family, and family means nobody is left behind” are words many of us know and remember, but every syllable and every beat hits twice as hard because of Maia Kealoha’s beautifully brilliant delivery. Watch out, world, because a new star is here, and goodness is her prowess already admirable. It’s anything but easy to bring a performance like Lilo’s to life this impeccably, yet from the moment she steps onto our screens, Kealoha is utterly perfect. How she and Sydney Agudong play off one another is no small feat, and with every scene they’re in, they breathe such gorgeous life into the Pelekai sisters that their journey feels endearingly profound.
The decision to showcase how difficult it is to process grief and simultaneously become a guardian allows the story to stand as a depiction of what it means to open up our homes to those in need. While the film certainly could have dove into what tourism does to Hawaii and other more crucial topics about the environment, it explores how those in power neglect children after they’re born. It subtly explores how childcare isn’t something anyone can live off, and it also explores the profound loneliness that comes from being a kid who’s a little bit different. My heart shattered at how people perceived both Lilo and Nani, failing to recognize the grief the girls are living with and choosing to pass judgment instead.
Additionally, the inclusion of David’s mom, Tutu (Amy Hill), brought in an excellent depiction of another maternal figure whose role plays a crucial part in also allowing Nani to make her dreams come true. With this, their little family grows a little bigger, allowing the story to shine as a leading example of what it means to be a good neighbor.
Lilo & Stitch is the type of Disney live-action that feels necessary. It manages to bring a fresh new take to the original story with stars who care about and understand the material, and it also provides plenty of humor with well-established scenes that don’t feel out of place. It’s the perfect summer film for the whole family, with gorgeously comforting scenic shots, exceptional performances, and a lovely message about found families that feels deeply necessary today. Plus, hearing the Hannah Waddingham’s extraordinary voice is an added, special bonus in a film that’s already delightful.
Lilo & Stitch is now playing in theaters.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Disney