Cast: Maia Kealoha, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, with Courtney B. Vance, and Zach Galifianakis
Genre: Family, Comedy
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
In Irish Cinemas: 21st May 2025
The live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch, hitting Irish cinemas this Friday, diverges more boldly from its 2002 animated predecessor than recent Disney reimaginings like The Lion King or Beauty and the Beast. While the heart of the original—its story and themes—remains intact, the new film introduces a fresh, irreverent energy through expanded scenes, character tweaks, and comedic set pieces.
The movie opens, as before, in deep space. Grand Councilwoman (voiced by Hannah Waddingham) orders the exile of Experiment 626, a genetically engineered creature with destructive potential, voiced once again by Chris Sanders. After 626 escapes to Earth, she dispatches the comically mismatched duo of his creator, Dr. Jumba (Zach Galifianakis), and the by-the-book agent Pleakley (Billy Magnussen) to retrieve him.
When 626 crash-lands on a Hawaiian island, he’s mistaken for a stray dog by a spirited and lonely six-year-old named Lilo (newcomer Maia Kealoha). She names him Stitch, and he quickly becomes a source of joy and chaos in her life. His arrival further complicates things for Lilo’s older sister and guardian, Nani (Sydney Agudong), who’s already stretched thin trying to juggle work, parenting, and looming visits from a social worker.
Unlike earlier live-action adaptations that emphasised technical spectacle, such as The Jungle Book’s lifelike animals or The Little Mermaid’s underwater world, Lilo & Stitch thrives on character-driven charm and vibrant comedic energy. Its use of CGI is familiar territory, joining the ranks of alien-centric franchises like Star Wars, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Star Trek. But here, the digital creatures are played more for laughs. Stitch’s montage of destructive talents is a highlight, while other aliens bring sharp, sardonic commentary on Earth and its inhabitants.
The new Lilo is a bit more mischievous, adding edge to her independent streak. In one added scene, she sneaks into a luxury resort and mischievously tells hot tub guests she’s in town for a conference. The local “mean girls” who mock her are given a larger presence, serving as symbols of cultural disconnection—their preference for store-bought friendship bracelets over Lilo’s handmade ones underscores a subtle critique of consumerism over tradition.
Several iconic moments from the original film are lovingly recreated, including Lilo’s endearing habit of feeding peanut butter sandwiches to her fish and her obsession with Elvis Presley. However, the remake also introduces new, chaotic sequences that see Stitch causing havoc at a wedding, trashing a tiki bar, and launching wild chases through moving vehicles.
One of the most inventive additions involves Jumba and Pleakley cloning human forms for themselves. This allows Galifianakis and Magnussen to appear in person and engage in slapstick routines as the aliens try (and fail) to blend in with human society. The inclusion of a portal gun enhances their scenes, leading to creative, dimension-hopping comedy set pieces.
While the 2002 Lilo & Stitch was often described as Disney’s tropical take on E.T., the live-action remake leans further into that sci-fi heritage, without losing sight of what made the original stand out. At its core, it was never about aliens but identity, belonging, and the unbreakable bond between sisters. That essence remains, bolstered by a strong emphasis on Hawaiian culture and the casting of Native Hawaiian actors in many key roles.
Several original cast members also make meaningful appearances. Jason Scott Lee, who voiced the character David in the original, now plays a manager at one of Nani’s jobs. Tia Carrere, once Nani’s voice, returns as the social worker overseeing Lilo’s custody case. Meanwhile, Cobra Bubbles—voiced in the animated version by Ving Rhames—reappears as a separate character played by Courtney B. Vance, reimagined as a full-fledged CIA agent tracking alien activity.
While juggling these multiple characters and storylines occasionally makes the film feel overstuffed, the fast-paced direction ensures frequent returns to the emotional core: Lilo, Stitch, and Nani. A deeper subplot reveals that Nani has given up a college scholarship to care for her sister. This significant, if slightly overemphasised, sacrifice speaks to the story’s familial responsibility and resilience themes.
In the end, while E.T. may have pioneered the trope of interspecies friendship, it doesn’t have a monopoly on the heartwarming alien-child bond. Lilo & Stitch continues to offer a more sincere and culturally grounded alternative. It’s funnier than Mac and Me, far more wholesome than Transformers, and packed with just enough surprises to make this remake feel less like a rehash and more like a worthy reimagining.
Overall: 7/10
Movie Reviewer
