Lilo & Stitch Mini Review
- Matt Hill
- May 25, 2025
- 2 min read
Runtime: 1h 48m Genre: Comedy/Sci-Fi Release Date: 21st May 2025
PLOT: After genetic alien superweapon Stitch (Chris Sanders) escapes custody and crash-lands on Earth, it forms an unlikely bond with a lonely young island girl called Lilo (Maia Kealoha).
Thoughts
Since 2015, Disney has released just shy of 20 live-action remakes of its beloved classic animations. Lilo & Stitch is the latest in that venture, and whilst I enjoyed the animated feature back in the day, it never became a staple in my life the way it did to so many others. So, is this retelling a trip worth taking? Or is it another live-action rehash that's best avoided?
For those unaware, Stitch, also known as 'Experiment 626', crash-lands in Hawaii and poses as a dog to a local village girl and her sister to avoid capture from galactic authorities. This time around, the focus is more on the sisters' relationship with Lilo's older sister, Nani (Sydney Agudong), as she does everything in her power to take care of her younger sister in the wake of their parents' death. It's not a big change, but shifting their relationship to be the central point is a good choice, and it helps add a deeper emotional connection to the film.
The real draw of the film is the ever-cuddly and mischievous Stitch, and he's just as chaotically cute as you'd hope, reliving the best antics from the animated classic, but truly shines when paired with the brilliant Lilo (Maia Kealoha) as they help each other grow and inevitably create plenty of havoc.
That's not to say the film isn't without its faults; a few people may miss the inclusion of dropped side characters like Captain Gantu, but I understand the choice to help streamline the Galactic Council plot. The bigger upset comes with the third act, causing the film to lose a lot of its steam as everything comes to a head, and certain moments aimed to pull on your heartstrings feel lacking, making them feel more like a feeble pinch than the emotional punch they should be.
In a Nutshell
Lilo & Stitch is at its best when it focuses on the family heart of its film, with Lilo & Stitch shining whenever they share the screen. It slows down a bit in the third act, but still provides a lot of laughs and emotion before that. It may not overshadow the animated classic, but it's still a good time that's bound to open the gate for a new wave of Stitch lovers.
3/5
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