Aisha 
A Heartfelt and Fun Remake
The 2025 live-action and animated remake of Lilo & Stitch offers a new emotional take on the beloved 2002 Disney classic. The film, directed by Dean Fleischer Camp and written by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes, uniquely blends science fiction, comedy, and heartwarming family drama. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Rideback, the film remains aesthetically faithful to the original story while adding new moments for fans to appreciate.
The plot still revolves around Lilo, a young Hawaiian girl who feels lonely and does not fit in. She lives with her older sister Nani after the death of their parents in an accident. Lilo’s life changes when she adopts what she thinks is a dog, but is actually a weird blue alien who escapes from a distant planet. Stitch was designed to destroy, but after spending some time with Lilo and her family, he begins to change.
This live-action film stays true to the emotional attachment between Lilo and Stitch. Their friendship remains the core of the movie. The famous word “ʻOhana,” meaning “family”, is again a message in this film; that family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.
The actors do a wonderful job of bringing these characters to life. The young actress who portrays Lilo is good at expressing her emotions and personality, being funny, clever, and emotionally expressive. Nani, the older sister, is believable, strong, and loving; their relationship feels real in ways that it did in the original movie.
Stitch is animated through a combination of CGI with live-action effects. He did look a little different compared to the cartoon version, but he is still pretty cute, funny, and expressive. The voice, the action they give Stitch portray that he is living and breathing.
The movie is visually stunning. The Hawaiian landscapes are bright and natural. The combination of live-action and CGI is seamless. Stitch fits very well into the live-action world. The action scenes, including the alien chase scenes, are entertaining, and they don’t detract from the emotional story.
Dean Fleischer Camp’s direction balances, the action, the humor, and emotional components nicely and keeps the story moving, and feels well-paced.
Changes were made to accommodate the live-action style and to provide a new take. Character designs exist to similar degrees or are slightly changed, and a few plot differences occur. The film also includes small references to the sequels and the original TV series. Long-time fans will recognize these.
The 2025 Lilo & Stitch remake is an enjoyable movie. It retains the essence of the original film while adding new life with a contemporary visual style and a more detailed exploration of the characters. Families, children, and even adults with fond memories of the 2002 film will appreciate the new take.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Although it’s not simply a film about aliens, it’s a film about love, loss, friendship, and what it means to be family.
Keep reading flickbites
About The Author
