The wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family.
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| (C) Disney |
Without a doubt, the first expectation on everyone’s mind when it comes to a Disney live-action adaptation is whether it can recapture the magic of the original. I’m happy to report that Lilo & Stitch, directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, mostly succeeds in doing just that. The film manages to retain the emotional core that made the original so special.
To its advantage, the original film already had so much heart and soul and this adaptation wisely doesn’t stray far from that foundation. It enhances the story by adding another layer to the story of Lilo and her sister, which works well in both a modern and live-action setting. Maia Kealoha carries her pivotal role with grace, and Stitch is brought to life wonderfully.
Of course, not everything translates seamlessly into live action. While the subplot involving Dr. Jumba Jookiba and Agent Pleakley has been adapted to fit this new version, the limitations of live action are hard to ignore despite solid performances from Zach Galifianakis and especially Billy Magnussen. The humor simply lands differently in animation, and the suspension of disbelief doesn’t stretch as easily, which can be a bit distracting.
There may not be a strong incentive for fans of the original to watch this version over the classic, aside from the joy of reintroducing these beloved characters to a new generation. Sure, one can say to just see the original classic but that's not how it works sometimes.
Thankfully, Lilo & Stitch remains a fun, grounded, and heartfelt story that’s bound to bring a smile and tug at the heartstrings. Yes, even for longtime fans. 3.5/5
