‘Lilo & Stitch’ – Review
Get ready to ride the wave of feel-good nostalgia, because Lilo & Stitch has crash-landed onto our screens with a warm heart, wacky humour, and a whole lot of Ohana. Director Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On) brings fresh energy and gentle authenticity to this live-action reimagining of the beloved 2002 Disney animated classic; and the result is a vibrant, family-friendly romp that radiates pure joy.
A lonely Hawaiian girl befriends a runaway alien, helping to mend her fragmented family.
From the get-go, it’s clear Lilo & Stitch isn’t here to reinvent the wheel, it’s here to remind you why this story works so well. With sunny Hawaiian backdrops, mischievous alien chaos, and plenty of heart, this is a movie that wraps you in a big, warm hug. It’s cinematic comfort food, sprinkled with modern polish and a healthy dash of tropical charm.
Leading the charge is newcomer Maia Kealoha as the precocious, messy, utterly loveable Lilo. Kealoha is magnetic, bringing both mischief and vulnerability to the screen in a way that feels completely unforced. She nails the emotional heartbeat of the story: a young girl who feels misunderstood and out of place, yearning to connect in a world that doesn’t quite get her. Opposite her is Sydney Agudong as Nani, Lilo’s older sister turned reluctant mother figure, who delivers a grounded, heartfelt performance full of sisterly frustration and fierce love.
But let’s talk about the blue alien elephant in the room: Stitch. The CGI is slick without being overbearing, and Stitch himself is a little ball of chaos and charm. Equal parts Gremlin and Gremlin-whisperer, he brings slapstick energy and anarchic fun to every scene he’s in. Sitch’s presence and interaction with Lilo is what gives the film its heart and emotional resonance, and one minute you’ll be giggling maniacally, then in tears the next due to the range of emotion that this lovable little alien brings to the screen. At its core, Lilo & Stitch is a story about a girl and her ‘dog’, about two misunderstood outsiders who find one another, and can heal together because of one another’s company, and because of this, the film radiates so much joy. The best scene in the film is hands down the Stitch surfing scene, and it’s captured with absolute bliss.
What really sets Lilo & Stitch apart in this new iteration is its unwavering focus on the power of found family. That famous word, Ohana, resonates just as deeply now as it did over two decades ago, and Camp’s version never loses sight of the emotional core. The film walks the line between wacky sci-fi antics and grounded, tearjerking family drama, and does so with surprising finesse.
The soundtrack, peppered with classic Elvis tunes and some island-flavoured updates, brings the good vibes in full force. Every musical cue feels sun-soaked and infectious, and it’s impossible not to bop your head along. The visuals are lush, with warm colour grading and dreamy island cinematography that make you want to book a one-way ticket to Kauai. There’s even a surf montage (of course), and it’s everything your nostalgia-fuelled heart could want.
Simply put, Lilo & Stitch is a blast. It’s a smile-on-your-face, lump-in-your-throat, dance-in-your-seat kind of movie. This isn’t a gritty rework or a cynical cash grab, it’s a celebration of connection, culture, and compassion. It’s a rare reboot that remembers why the original mattered and brings that spirit roaring back to life. Perfect for families, perfect for fans of the original, and perfect for anyone who could use a little more heart in their cinema experience. Lilo & Stitch is an utter joy to watch in cinemas.
Image: Walt Disney Pictures
