🌺 “Lilo & Stitch” (2025) — A Live‑Action Gem with Heart

Story & Emotional Core

Director Dean Fleischer Camp’s Disney remake of Lilo & Stitch faithfully follows the original 2002 animated storyline: a lonely little Hawaiian girl and her new mischievous alien friend form a bond that heals both of their hearts, as well as ours. This live action version adds emotional nuances—notably in the sisters’ dynamic—while preserving the charm of the original.

Standout Performances

• Maia Kealoha debuts as Lilo. A critic praised her as delivering “one of the best performances by a child actor in recent memory,” effortlessly capturing Lilo’s childlike wonder, grief over her parents, and chaotic energy.
• Sydney Agudong (“born and raised on Kauaʻi” and of multiethnic Hawaiian descent) gives Nani greater depth, portraying her pressure-driven struggles with real emotional weight.
• Chris Sanders, co-creator and original voice of Stitch, returns — with all the punchy nasal intonations intact—retaining Stitch’s unique alien voice.
• Tia Carrere, who voiced Nani in the 2002 animated classic, returns in this live-action remake as Mrs. Kekoa, the no-nonsense social worker overseeing Nani and Lilo’s case.
• Zach Galifianakis brings a silly, comedic energy to the role of alien in human form Cobra Bubbles, adding both levity and heartfelt concern. His performance balances the film’s humor and gravity, giving Cobra a fresh update that supports (and luckily doesn’t overshadow) the sisters’ storyline with Stitch.
• Jason Scott Lee appears in the film as a cameo. He previously starred as Mowgli in Disney’s live action The Jungle Book (1994).

Cultural Authenticity

Filmed entirely in Hawaiʻi, the film embraces the ʻohana spirit and Hawaiian language touches without “overdoing” it. The inclusion of Tia Carrere (original Nani voice) as Mrs. Kekoa and Amy Hill (original Mrs. Hasagawa voice) as Tutu reprising Hawaiian roles deepens the cultural tapestry subtly but effectively.

Importantly, Maia Kealoha, the young native Hawaiian actor, brings a genuine cultural authenticity to Lilo’s role—unlike the original voice actress who was white—ensuring the character truly and fairly reflects the place and people of Hawaiʻi.

Comparisons to the Animated Classic

Element	2002 Animated Version	2025 Live‑Action Version
Plot	Lilo adopts an alien, builds ohana	Nearly identical beats, with added emotional nuances
Nani’s arc	Sacrifices her future	Still sacrifices but with college subplot
Stitch’s voice	Chris Sanders introduced the nasal voice	Sanders reprises—performance is “obviously… great”
Supporting roles	Cobra Bubbles, Gantu, others	New social worker Mrs. Kekoa; Cobra Bubbles returns

Emotional Realism in a Disney Movie: Bullying, Grief, and Sibling Bond

Where this remake truly excels is in its depiction of real-world challenges. Lilo’s loneliness is palpable from her first hula class—mocked by her classmates, she’s a misfit navigating a world that feels like it doesn’t care about her existence. Young Kealoha brings soul to each tear and every burst of defiance.

Nani’s arc feels even more raw and relatable here. Losing their parents isn’t just a backstory—it’s a wound that shapes every interaction. Nani bears the weight of adult responsibilities far too young as just a teenager: paying bills, navigating a bureaucratic social system, and caring for Lilo’s emotional and practical needs.

Mrs. Kekoa (Tia Carrere) brings a grounded realism as a social worker who truly cares in a stern way: she assigns Nani “real-life homework”—paying overdue bills, securing health insurance, and stocking the kitchen with essentials. It’s a powerful reminder of how poverty isn’t just about money; it’s the daily uphill battles that’s too real for many.

Nani’s repeated job rejections—and the domino effect of losing even the most basic employment—mirror the struggles of families teetering on the edge. Every time she tries to pull herself out, something or someone (often Stitch!) seems to drag her back down. Yet, it’s this cycle of trying, failing, and trying again that makes her so compelling—and relatable.

Stitch: Chaos and Redemption

Even as little blue alien Stitch wreaks havoc—burning the kitchen, locking Lilo out, ruining Nani’s job interviews—he ultimately becomes the catalyst that forces the sisters (and their little community) to redefine what family means. Ohana isn’t about perfection or convenience; it’s about sticking together even when the universe seems to conspire against you. Stitch brings both mischief and a surprising tenderness, reminding us why we fell in love with this blue alien and family in the first place.