Lilo & Stitch: Movie Review

Cast: Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders, Sydney Elizabeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Zach Galifianakis, Courtney B Vance
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

If you're willing to forego yet another live action remake of Disney's endless back catalogue and avoid weariness, then the 2025 rendition of Lilo & Stitch is actually a family outing that's worth going to - even if it does occasionally have an over-tendency to rush through some moments.

For those unfamiliar with the 2002 version, it's the story of Lilo, a Hawaiian girl who feels like an outsider and who one night sees a falling star and wishes for a friend. However, her wish comes true in the shape of an exiled alien named Experiment 626 made by its creator (Galifianakis). Crash-landing on Hawai'i, 626 adapts to the local life and uses his skills to become like a dog to secure adoption.

However, 626, who's named Stitch by Lilo, is a whirlwind of mayhem that causes more problems for Lilo and her older sister Nani (Agudong) who are already struggling after the loss of their parents.

More or less a word-for-word remake of the original (with only a couple of new characters thrown in), this is a fairly amiable piece of family entertainment that pushes a nice message that even if families are broken, they're still worth fighting for and being a part of.

Maintaining the original's tone of the wacky wrecking ball Stitch, Sanders brings the Jar-Jar Binks style gibberish to the fore, but the live-action animation doubles down on the cute furry elements of the original, without straying too far away from what made Stitch stand out.

Occasionally, the film does feel like it lacks moments to breathe. Certainly some of the more emotional elements of the script are abruptly dismissed either for action or for Stitch's insanity and as a consequence, it does occasionally feel rushed.

 And yet, with its heart squarely on its sleeve, and its central message none too pushy, the 2025 version of Lilo & Stitch is a solidly enjoyable outing that doesn't outstay its welcome. While there may be cynicism over Disney's constant back-plundering, this shows that with a little care and consideration and a respect for what made the original work, even a couple of new additions make it more than worthy - and more than fun for the whole family.