Experiment 626, better known as Stitch, was first brought to life in 2002 and was underappreciated at the time. Since then, the animated film about the naughtiest alien life form ever created and the generous Hawaiian girl Lilo who adopts him as her own family has gained immense popularity and been embraced by the neurodivergent community. This live-action remake helmed by Marcel the Shell With Shoes On director, Dean Fleischer Camp, makes some changes and adds new characters, yet still keeps the spirit of Ohana alive.
The manic and loveable dynamic between Lilo and Stitch still remains extremely adorable and moving (get the tissues ready) thanks to great casting and some nifty CG work. The star of the show is Maia Kealoha in the titular role; she perfectly captures the mischievous, oddball charm of Lilo, though certain changes do rob the character of some of her more nuanced weirdness. However, she’s still a tiny rebel, liberating animals, acting out in her grief-stricken state and driving her older sister Nani (Sydney Agudong) round the bend.
This time, Nani gets more of a backstory than in the animation. Tia Carrere (who played Nani previously) takes on the role of a caring social worker, and Amy Hill, who voiced Mrs Nagasawa in the original, is caring neighbour Tutu, who keeps an eye on Lilo. Chris Sanders, who co-wrote and directed the 2002 animation returns to voice Stitch. Zach Galifinakis plays the wicked alien scientist, Jumba, who created Stitch and the musclebound Billy Magnussen ironically takes on the role of the tiny Pleakley. To give Galifinakis and Magnussen as much screentime as their CG counterparts, they are given a cloning device. Magnussen as Pleakley still gets to wear some interesting outfits too, which is lovely. Hannah Waddingham is pleasing enough voicing the Grand Councilwoman.
Essentially, this live-action expansion sticks to the original formula, with added dreamy location shooting in Hawaii and enjoyable slapstick. It’s also respectful of the culture and there are some nice callbacks to the animation, including the co-screenwriter Chris Kekaniokalani Bright whose mum (Lynell) was involved in both films. That’s Ohana.
Lilo & Stitch will be released in cinemas on 21 May
