The sun rises and the palm trees sway in the warm Hawaiian breeze, and somewhere in a quiet little town on the island of Kaua’i, an alien crashes into the life of a young girl’s life. What begins as chaos slowly unfolds into finding the true meaning of family in Disney’s live action Lilo & Stitch remake.
Lilo & Stitch follows Lilo, a young Hawaiian girl who was raised by her sister, Nani, because of the loss of their parents. After a rough day at school, feeling left out and alone, Lilo convinces Nani to take her to the animal shelter, where she finds and adopts what she believes is an unusual looking “dog” who turns out to be an alien named Stitch, who causes problems between the two sisters. Stitch mainly caused mischief wherever he went, but he came to learn the meaning of family as the movie progressed. Lilo and Stitch’s relationship blossoms throughout the film as the story illustrates that kindness and love can change anyone, even aliens.
The movie features Maia Kealoha, whose portrayal of Lilo manifests the character’s emotions of humor and sadness. She emphasizes the intense feelings inside Lilo, showing her desperate need to fit in. This makes her friendship with Stitch even more special, as she had a hard time fitting in and making friends, but Stitch was the one that didn’t judge her. Stitch remains hilarious and loveable, and adds energy to every scene. At the same time, Stitch becomes a source of comfort for Lilo and removes some of the loneliness and tension she feels at home.
One of the best parts of the film is the build up of the relationship between Lilo and Nani. From the start, their bond is complicated due to the pressure Nani faces as a young adult trying to raise her sister all alone and trying to keep their family together. There are moments in the story where Nani is disappointed towards Lilo, like when Lilo gets into fights at school or when Stitch causes more trouble. Nani is afraid that her frustration gets in the way because she is scared she might lose custody of Lilo and fail to be an older sister to her.
Although the tension between Lilo and Nani can be harsh, they still find a way to support each other. During the movie Nani loses her job and breaks down, and Lilo comforts her, showing that love goes both ways. Later on Stitch tears the family apart for good, and during that scene Lilo and Nani both fight, protecting and holding on to each other. These scenes turn their relationship into something deeper than just caring for each other. It was about trust, sacrifice, and understanding each other, and by the end of the movie their connection grows stronger than ever.
The setting is respectful and authentic, as it t embraces traditional dances, music, language, and scenery. Lush green mountains, crashing waves and the bright golden hour created a breathtaking backdrop that made the story feel real. The hula and native songs bring depth to the film, and it honors the island spirit and helps the characters’ connection to their home in a way that feels meaningful. The setting helps emphasize the story to a whole different level, as they help show the importance of tradition and a better glimpse of Lilo and Nani lives, and help immerse the audience into the world.
The film does a phenomenal job of balancing funny and serious scenes. There are quiet, heartbreaking scenes that highlight the characters’ suffering and add to their development, as well as moments that make you laugh out loud, like when Stitch starts causing trouble in the town and also causing trouble in Lilo and Nani’s home. One scene shows Stitch misbehaving in public, getting out of control and causing a scene, which makes both Lilo and Nani look bad in front of others. Lilo took it as a chance to show how to behave, showing him what “Ohana” means. Over time Stitch starts to understand, take responsibility by helping Lilo and Nani rebuild their home and building a better relationship. These scenes serve as an important reminder to audience members that family is about supporting one another no matter what, not just about being related by blood.
Overall, the Lilo & Stitch remake is a lovely and touching film. It shows the ohana message, that no one is forgotten or left behind. This version gives an old story new life and shows how remakes can still have the same effect.