Lilo & Stitch Review
Full of fun, heart and warmth, Lilo & Stitch is the rare Disney live adaptation that really works.
Lilo (Maia Kealoha) and her big sister Nani (Sydney Agudong) are struggling after the death of their parents, and with social services breathing down Nani’s neck, she may soon have to split the sisters up. Their challenges are compounded when Lilo wishes on a shooting star for a best friend, and finds that friend in Stitch aka Experiment 626 - an alien killing machine in a cute and furry package, who wreaks havoc in their lives as he is hunted by Pleakley (Billy Magnussen) and Jumba (Zach Galifianakis).
Lilo & Stitch is a film that really hits the right balance. From the humour to the pathos, the young kid cuteness and the annoyance, the animated aliens and the live action humans, everything feels perfectly balanced. It’s a remarkable effort, for a studio who has had multiple stumbling blocks with these live action adaptations previously.
The first thing the film should be complimented on is its decision to cast the young Maia Kealoha as Lilo. She is a very young actress, so of course sometimes the performance isn’t quite there, but by keeping the character young the film buys itself a lot of leniency - and you can’t deny how cute she and Stitch are together. Sydney Agudong is also wonderful as Nani, bringing a lot of warmth and emotion to her performance that cuts through even when the ridiculous is happening. Across the side character spectrum, Billy Magnussen is an absolute standout as Pleakley.
The movie also has a great visual aesthetic. Director Dean Fleischer Camp and cinematographer Nigel Bluck really make this movie feel real and lived in, and the island, Hawaiian landscapes, and local towns feel like they actually exist - a rare feat for one of these adaptations. It doesn’t feel overly produced, and that makes the whole thing feel a lot more real.
Finally, there’s Stitch. The character design is lovely on this iconic little guy, and he is the heart and soul of the movie. He is so cute, but also still his classic little ferocious ball of energy. It’s a wonderfully done piece of work.
Lilo & Stitch is the sort of movie that is just lovely, warm and big hearted. You’re going to love it, you’re kids are going to love it, and more than likely you’ll have a good cry throughout it.
