‘Lilo & Stitch’ Review: Fun, Heartfelt, Sweet & Your Kids Will Love It and That’s What Counts

First things first — it’s a children’s movie. That’s the key point, and one too many adult critics seem to be ignoring. I’ve seen review after review written by grown, often pretentious voices nitpicking what is, at its core, a heartfelt family film. My child and every other child in that cinema were grinning from ear to ear, totally captivated and isn’t that the real measure of success? Why must every remake be dragged into the shadow of its animated predecessor like it’s some highbrow cinematic debate? We’ve forgotten how to just enjoy movies for what they are.

Disney’s latest live-action project, a reimagining of Lilo & Stitch, doesn’t reinvent the wheel but it doesn’t need to. Instead, it polishes what worked the first time and places it gently into a new setting. Director Dean Fleischer Camp, brings a sense of grounded quirk and sensitivity that suits this story well. With a script that respects the original without parroting it beat for beat, it manages to feel familiar without feeling lazy.

The breakout here is Maia Kealoha as Lilo. She doesn’t just carry the film — she runs with it. Kealoha captures Lilo’s loneliness and longing for connection with a natural charm that’s hard to fake. Her interactions with Stitch, still voiced by Chris Sanders, are magnetic. But Kealoha’s performance makes you forget you’re watching her talk to a digital blue alien.

In fact, the strongest emotional thread remains the one between Lilo and her sister, Nani, played with conviction by Sydney Elizebeth Agudong. This version of Nani has more dimension than before — she’s not just the overwhelmed guardian but a young woman stuck between her own dreams and her responsibilities. Agudong walks the line between fierce protector and quietly exhausted sister with real grace. Their bond is the film’s heart, and it beats strongly throughout.

Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen bring a lively dose of comic energy as Jumba and Pleakley, injecting the film’s wildest moments with playful charm and offbeat humor. While their humor occasionally leans into the absurd, both actors clearly have fun with their roles, especially Magnussen, who throws himself into Pleakley’s eccentricities with gusto. Some of their animated antics feel slightly more grounded in this live-action setting, but their commitment to the comedy helps keep the tone light and kid-friendly throughout.

It’s for the kids, they had a blast, it’s everything it needs to be. And that should be enough.

A bit of a misstep is the handling of Cobra Bubbles, a fan-favorite in the original. Rather than give him his due, the film splits his role awkwardly. Courtney B. Vance’s CIA agent version of Bubbles gets sidelined, and the new social worker character (played by Tia Carrere) takes over the custody storyline. The restructuring feels clunky and deprives Vance of the commanding presence the character once had.

Visually, the film strikes a thoughtful balance between nostalgic homage and fresh imagination. Director Dean Fleischer Camp brings a clear sense of play to the sci-fi elements — a portal gun gag, in particular, delivers a clever jolt of energy. Longtime fans will recognize visual nods to the original, which feel like respectful winks rather than rote repetition. It’s clear the filmmakers wanted to honor what came before while still crafting something new, and more often than not, they succeed.

When the credits roll, you’ll realize something: It worked, Lilo & Stitch in any form is about loss, love, and finding family in unlikely places. Camp and his team never forget that. So no, this remake might not dazzle longtime fans with some sort of bold reinvention. But it will make you smile— it’s for the kids, they had a blast, it’s everything it needs to be. And that should be enough.

Lilo & Stitch is now playing in cinemas worldwide.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook Instagram Twitter(X) YouTube TikTok