Lilo and Stitch

It hasn't been long since Snow White slept at the box-office. I'll reiterate that it's a flawed movie, but much like that Ghostbusters redo, it's not worth starting World War III over. In any case, it's clear that nobody slept on Disney's latest live-action redo, Lilo and Stitch. Here's why you shouldn't sleep on it, either.

Chris Sanders, the co-director of the original film, once again voices Stitch, whom Dr. Jumba Jookiba (Zach Galifianakis) created as Experiment 626. Stitch is sentenced to exile by the United Galactic Federation for being a feral troublemaker, but he escapes for Earth, specifically Kaua'i. The Grand Councilwoman (Hannah Widdingham) forces Jumba to join with "Earth Expert" Agent Pleakley (Billy Magnussen) to get Stitch back.

On Earth, Stitch ends up at the animal shelter, where orphaned local girl Lilo Pelekai (Maia Kealoha) adopts him as her new "dog." Her older sister Nani (Sydney Elizebeth Agudong) isn't happy, but Lilo is certainly happy with her new friend. Meanwhile, the sisters are threatened with separation by CPS, embodied by social worker Mrs. Kekoa (Tia Carrere, animated Nani herself). Also, meanwhile, the Grand Councilwoman's patience for Jumba and Pleakley is wearing thin. Will there be a happy ending for this 'ohana?

The writers deviate from the original film in several key areas (how the CPS subplot is resolved may break the ending for some). But I think that it's pretty close to the original without going shot-for-shot. I haven't seen the original in quite a while, but I still remember a few scenes and dialogue recreated here. It's hard to feel nothing, for example, when Stitch tells the Grand Councilwoman of his new family at the end. The revised climax, where Stitch nearly drowns, is quite moving too even if it's obvious he won't bite it. On a lighter note, we get some great new laughs, such as a trigger-happy Federation crewmember and a portal gun loop.

It helps that we have a great cast here. Kealoha, in her first movie, is quite likable as Lilo, even when she acts out. You'll easily sympathize with Agudong's Nani as she runs herself ragged trying to keep their 'ohana together. The sisters have great chemistry together; part of the reason why the ending didn't break me is because of a certain loophole, which might just leave you smiling. Amy Hill, who voiced shopkeeper Mrs. Hasagawa in the animated entries, is excellent as the Pelekais' grandmotherly neighbor Tutu, whose grandson is Nani's co-worker David (Kaipo Dudoit). Courtney B. Vance is pretty good as CIA agent Cobra Bubbles, who "partners" with Mrs. Kekoa as a "fellow social worker." As for the aliens, the Grand Councilwoman has an enjoyable sardonism; the more overtly villainous Jumba is fine; and Pleakely is just enjoyable.

Now we get to the technical stuff. The aliens, especially Stitch and Pleakley, perfectly recreate their 2D counterparts without trying too hard, and are rather easy on the eyes. Their gadgets and spaceships, such as the aforementioned portal gun, are pretty nifty designs too. Despite some minor cracks, they're a lot more tangible than a certain set of dwarfs tried to be. Yes, The Legend of Ochi did wonders for puppeteering, but this Stitch feels real just the same. That tangibility helps make the revised climax especially moving. The Hawaiian sights, as filmed by cinematographer Nigel Bluck, are more exquisite when they're paired with Mark Kealiʻi Hoʻomalu's retained songs, Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride and He Mele No Lilo. The rest of the soundtrack is filled by a pretty good score by Dan Romer and a sparse selection of Elvis songs.

I'm sure that Disney will consider a sequel or two after its stellar numbers. I'm kind of curious to see where they and director Dean Fleischer-Camp will take the material next. Will they reverse some of the more controversial story changes next time? Who knows, but at least this current movie is pretty good. Those who disagree can check out the original film, and its follow-ups, on Disney+ anytime. I think I should too, just to remind myself why the first film was great. But that's it for now.