Ohana, my friends!
The wait is finally over! The live-action reimagining of Disney’s Lilo & Stitch opens exclusively in theatres on May 23rd and thanks to the team at Walt Disney World Studios Canada, I had the privilege of seeing an advance screening of the film for review. Does it hold true to the original animation movie from 2002? Is it safe and appropriate for kids? I break it down, without spoilers, so you can decide for yourself if you are heading to the movie theaters this week.
Synopsis
“Lilo & Stitch” is the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family. The film is directed by award-winning filmmaker Dean Fleischer Camp, with a screenplay by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes, and stars Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, with Courtney B. Vance, and Zach Galifianakis, and introducing Maia Kealoha. “Lilo & Stitch” is produced by Jonathan Eirich, p.g.a. and Dan Lin, with Tom Peitzman, Ryan Halprin, Louie Provost, Thomas Schumacher serving as executive producers.
If you want to be surprised with the film, I advise you not to watch the trailer (it shows a lot of the movie):
As a long-time Disney fan, I can tell you that I never really got into the fandom of Lilo & Stitch. In fact, I hadn’t seen the animated film until years later with my kids. It wasn’t for my lack of Disney love. When it came out, I wasn’t in the kid stage anymore, I was in the young adult and work stage, without kids of my own, so it slipped by me for years. I remember the first time taking my three boys to Walt Disney World and seeing all the merch for Lilo and Stitch…Stitch was everywhere. And if you remember over a decade ago, the Disney shops used to carry massive plush characters…and my oldest son’s souvenir of choice was the giant Stitch. He made it on our flight home to Montreal, and it still lives in our basement.
Can We Love Lilo & Stitch in Live-Action?
So, yes, Lilo & Stitch made an impression on my boys and as a family, we loved the original animated film. When we found out there would be a live-action film coming out, we each had mixed emotions. Would Disney be able to portray the cuteness of Stitch in a live-action CGI version? Would the characters we have all grown to love in animated form be cast accurately with real actors and actresses? It’s hard to live up to what fans have grown up with and loved in the original way.
While some people don’t like the live-action films that Disney has been producing, I have always loved them. To me, it is a new form of storytelling that can update an older version, making it realistic and fun. Plus it allows a new generation of kids to appreciate a Disney story in modern filming, or more to the point, filming they are growing up with.
For those of you that just don’t like the live-action films, I won’t be able to change your mind. However, because Stitch is, in fact, an alien, and not a jungle animal or dwarf, I feel like there is more opportunity to like the idea of a live-action for this story. I really enjoyed seeing how they portrayed Stitch in this live-action film. You will notice that Stitch is not as big as his scale in the animations. Similar to a small dog in size, this CGI version of Stitch is cute and cuddly. He’s the perfect size for Lilo (played by Maia Kealoha) to hug him and it is so sweet.
Two other alien characters, Jumba and Pleakley, have a CGI in the movie, but are also disguised in human form for most of the film played by Zack Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen). I thought their characters were fun and perfectly cast. They were a perfect duo, and the film added some pretty hilarious scenes just for them. The Grand Councilwoman, voiced by Hannah Waddingham has an amazing CGI as well. There is one character from the original that you will not see, and that is Gantu. His character was said to not fit with the storyline of the live-action, although I think it might have to do with his scale and look compared to the real actors. Either way, I didn’t feel his missing character was damaging to the story.
(L-R) Maia Kealoha as Lilo, Stitch and Sydney Agudong as Nani in Disney’s live-action LILO & STITCH. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2025 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The Cast Then and Now
The casting for many characters made me so happy! In the original animation, the voice of Nani was played by Tia Carrere. Now, Tia Carrere plays the social worker, Mrs. Kekoa, in the new live-action film. David was originally voiced by Jason Scott Lee, and now he plays the owner of the Luau restaurant. And finally, Amy Hill was the voice of Mrs. Hasagawa, and now she plays Lilo and Nani’s neighbour, and David’s grandmother, Tutu. I thought it was a perfect way to honour the original voices of the iconic characters we know and love from the Lilo & Stitch.
New to the live-action Lilo & Stitch movie are Kaipo Dudoit who plays David, Courtney B. Vance who plays Cobra Bubbles, Sydney Agudong who plays Nani and Maia Kealoha who play Lilo. The casting for these characters was done so well, it was as if the animated cartoons were brought to live by magic. I absolutely fell in love with Maia Kealoha. She is the perfect young actress for this role of Lilo.
Changes and Additions
The original story of Lilo & Stitch stays pretty much the same for this live-action movie until midway. The climax and conflict is different and the very last moment of difficulty with Lilo, Nani, David and Stitch is more traumatic and made me cry a bunch! But as with all Disney movies, there is a happy ending and the outcome is the same as the original. I appreciated that characters were expanded in the live-action, especially for Nani. After 23 years, the tone of certain characters has changed. The social worker has a more compassionate mind for Lilo and Stitch, and Stitch isn’t as pushy with Lilo. These changes are for the better, especially in a live-action.
Is the Live-Action Lilo & Stitch Safe for Kids?
As I always caution, a live-action can be so realistic to children, it is important for parents to explain that Stitch is not real, and neither are the other aliens. Live-action can look and feel so real, it is hard even for adults to not feel overwhelmed (did I mention I cried?). I suggest watching the animated version with your child first so that he/she knows the story and characters first. It is also important to explain that no one really gets hurt (physically) in the film. I do think this is a fun movie for all kids, big and small. This will make a wonderful family movie night out.
Disclosure: I was invited to see a pre-screening to facilitate this review. All opinions are honest and my own.