Disney Revisits Hawaii With a Live-Action Spin
Visiting the world of Lilo & Stitch is always a recipe for nostalgia. The 2002 original carved out a spot as an outsider classic with its unique take on family, loyalty, and forgiveness—all under the Hawaiian sun. So, naturally, Disney’s decision to go live-action set expectations sky-high. For better or worse, the new version doesn’t ignore those expectations; it tries hard to recapture the charm, but stumbles in the process.
The live-action remake zeroes in on the tight bond between Lilo (Zoe Colletti) and her older sister Nani (Sydney Mikayla). Their relationship is the beating heart here, and the screenplay gives them room to breathe. The conversations hit close to home, especially for anyone who’s felt like an outsider in their own family. Lilo’s quirks aren’t sanded down, and Nani’s visible frustration feels authentic instead of exaggerated. In this way, the film nails the emotional core the cartoon was famous for.
Stitch Stays Lovable While the Sidekicks Falter
No remake of Lilo & Stitch would be complete without that blue ball of chaos. Stitch is still a whirlwind, baffled by human life and struggling to find purpose—a thread that taps into what made the original story work. Older fans will find familiar beats, and newcomers can latch onto Stitch’s transformation from chaos agent to caring ‘ohana member.
Things get bumpy when the story turns its focus to Jumba (Zach Galifianakis) and Pleakley (Billy Magnussen). In animation, their alien-who-doesn’t-get-Earth antics worked. Here? Their disguises and slapstick jokes push against the realistic vibe of the sisters’ world, often feeling forced. It’s like watching cartoon logic try to squeeze into a real-life setting—and coming up short.
Even more puzzling is the decision to split the role of social worker Cobra Bubbles. Instead of one memorable authority figure, there’s Courtney B. Vance as a CIA agent hunting aliens, and Tia Carrere (Nani’s original voice) as Mrs. Kekoa, a social worker. On paper, it might seem like an opportunity for richness and variety, but it actually weakens the core tension. Having Bubbles as the single skeptical outsider kept things tight. Now, the drama feels diffused.
There are bright spots thanks to Amy Hill as Tūtū and Kaipo Dudoit as David Kawena—both add warmth, humor, and a sense of genuine community. Yet, every time the plot veers into action-heavy scenes or tries to pack too much spectacle, the movie loses its way. Some choices feel more like programming for the Disney Channel, not a major studio film meant to create awe in theaters.
If you’re after pure nostalgia, you might find a few lines or moments to hang onto. Still, it’s hard to shake the feeling that this remake didn’t need to exist. The emotional moments between Lilo, Nani, and Stitch still land, but the spark that made the original a cultural touchstone is harder to spot amid the clutter.