Disney’s Lilo & Stitch (2025)
August 21, 2025
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Movie Review: Disney’s Lilo & Stitch (2025)
Disney’s long-anticipated live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch finally lands — and while it doesn’t fully recapture the lightning-in-a-bottle magic of the 2002 animated classic, it offers a heartfelt, visually inventive retelling with enough charm (and chaos) to win over audiences new and old.
The story remains familiar: young Lilo Pelekai (played wonderfully by newcomer Maia Kealoha) adopts what she believes is a “dog,” only to discover he’s a genetically engineered alien named Stitch. What follows is a tale of misfits finding family, set against the lush backdrop of Hawaii, and packed with both humor and emotion.
The film’s strongest asset is its cast. Maia Kealoha brings raw sincerity and spirit to Lilo, perfectly capturing her quirky, stubborn, big-hearted nature. Sydney Agudong delivers a grounded, emotional performance as Nani, Lilo’s overburdened older sister, while Zach Galifianakis provides comic energy as the bumbling alien agent Pleakley. Chris Sanders returns to voice Stitch, ensuring the little blue menace sounds just as chaotic and lovable as ever.
Visually, Stitch is rendered through photorealistic CGI, and though some fans worried he might lose his cartoonish appeal, the design finds a balance — expressive, mischievous, and undeniably huggable. The Hawaiian landscapes are beautifully shot, and the film’s soundtrack mixes Elvis classics with fresh Hawaiian-inspired arrangements, keeping the cultural heartbeat intact.
Thematically, the film doubles down on the message of ohana — family means nobody gets left behind — and while the movie occasionally leans too heavily on nostalgia, it also gives new layers to Nani and Lilo’s struggle, making the story resonate in fresh ways.
If there’s a drawback, it’s the pacing: the middle act drags with too many alien-chase hijinks, and the tone sometimes clashes between heartfelt drama and cartoonish comedy. Still, the heart is there, and by the emotional finale, most viewers will be teary-eyed.
Verdict:
Disney’s Lilo & Stitch (2025) is a warm, family-friendly remake that doesn’t surpass the original but respects it, delivering laughs, tears, and plenty of Stitch’s lovable chaos.
⭐ Rating: 7.8/10