Lilo & Stitch Review: This Film Is Another Reason Why Disney Should Leave Its Classics Untouched
Comfort wrapped in nostalgia that serves little comfort. Here is our review of Disney's Lilo & Stitch.
These days, whenever Disney announces a remake, the first thought that pops into everyone’s head is if it’s a genuine passion project or another cash grab? And when that remake stars Stitch, arguably one of Disney’s most merchandisable characters, the motive can seem pretty clear. When Marcel the Shell with Shoes On director Dean Fleischer was announced to direct the live-action for the 2025 Lilo & Stitch, fans were hopeful. But as the film unfolded, most of this hope starts crashing harder than Stitch’s spaceship did into the Hawaiian ocean. Written by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, Mike Van Waes, and Chris Sanders (who also voiced the original Stitch), the film brings together a solid cast including: Maia Kealoha as the lovable Lilo and Sydney Agudong as Nani. Lilo & Stitch (2025) hits theatres on May 23, and here are our thoughts about it!
Plot Of Lilo & Stitch
The story stays close to the original storyline. Stitch, or Experiment 626, is a genetically engineered ball of chaos created by the eccentric Dr. Jumba. Programmed for destruction and pure mayhem, Stitch is deemed too dangerous to exist and is ordered to be imprisoned, but escapes to the beautiful islands of Hawaii. As Dr. Jumba and his partner, Earth ‘expert’ Pleakley, scramble to capture him, Stitch disguises himself as an adorable dog and ends up being adopted by Lilo, a lonely but eccentric girl living with her sister Nani, and chaos ensues.
Performances
The cast is something that might be a treat for fans of the original 2002 film. As the voice actor and director of the 2005 film, Chris Sanders returns to play Stitch, and no one could have done it better than he can! 8-year-old Maia Kealoha, in her debut role as Lilo, will have your heart melting, and Sydney Agudong also delivers a heartfelt performance as the often stressed but gentle Nani. New addition to the ensemble, Tūtū played by Amy Hill, also shines as a loving grandmother, while the comic duo of Dr. Jumba and Pleakley, played by Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen, feels a bit flat. Their chemistry and jokes are falling a bit flat.
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Verdict- A Film That Lost Its Original Purpose
The animated Lilo & Stitch movie is a heart-tugging tale about family, love, and the journey to belong. It’s about two misfits, one a mischievous alien, and an outcast little 6-year-old girl trying to find their place in the world. Together with Nani, the three discover what Ohana truly means: family, where no one gets left behind. Or forgotten. Fast forward to the 2025 remake, and… well, the magic doesn’t quite translate in the live-action version.
Sure, there are a few sweet, emotional moments, especially the tear-jerking sisterly moments where Lilo and Nani are involved, but those touching scenes often get drowned out by the loud antics. Stitch’s moment of clarity near the end, when he realises he might have caused more harm than good, will make your heart clench. But sadly, it’s not enough. Dr. Cobra Bubbles turns into a run-of-the-mill FBI agent, losing all his cryptic charm.
Many of the memorable moments that made the original Lilo & Stitch so loved have been left out in the 2025 remake. One of the most notable removals is of Gantu, the original film’s main antagonist. In the animated version, Gantu was sent to Earth to capture Stitch, and in doing so he put many innocent lives at risk.
His absence in the remake made the plot feel much less urgent, and at times, a little soulless. The script doesn’t do much to help either. The humour feels dated, with tired jokes like confusing TikTok with ‘Tiktac’, a gag that might have landed in 2014 but feels painfully overused in 2025.
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Visually, the film is pretty to look at, the ocean sparkles, the Hawaiian skies glow, but nothing can replicate the warmth and soul of the original’s hand-drawn animation. On the bright side, CGI Stitch is a bundle of adorableness, and Maia Kealoha as Lilo is also precious. Prepare for a cuteness overload from these two! If you’re new to Lilo & Stitch, this remake might seem like a fun ride.
But if you’ve watched the 2002 classic, it’s hard not to notice what’s missing. Depth, subtlety, it’s all watered down in favour of noisy nostalgia. The kids might enjoy it, sure. But they deserved to meet Stitch in all his original, chaotic, heartwarming glory.
First Published: May 23, 2025 4:55 PM
