You ever watch a movie so visually flawless you start questioning reality? Like, is that little blue alien just some guy in a suit? Is he real? Did he audition? Because the CGI in Disney’s new Lilo & Stitch live-action remake is so next-level, I genuinely wondered if the effects team performed actual sorcery. You know it’s good when you stop thinking, “Wow, that’s impressive animation,” and start wondering what kind of snacks Stitch eats when the cameras aren’t rolling. Spoiler: probably battery acid and pineapple.
The remake sticks surprisingly close to the plot of the 2002 animated original- still set in the lush Hawaiian islands, still about an isolated young girl, her struggling big sister, and a chaotic alien fugitive that looks like a koala who lost a bet. But this version gives it a modern update with just enough tweaks to feel like a love letter and a remix. It’s like the same beloved song, performed with fresh vocals and better acoustics.
And speaking of vocals: Maia Kealoha, the young actress playing Lilo, is a revelation. This is her first film role, and she doesn’t just hold her own: she owns the screen. If you ever loved Drew Barrymore in E.T. as Gertie, you’ll absolutely fall in love with Maia. She delivers every line with the kind of sincerity and spark that makes you believe she really did find her new best friend at a galactic pet shelter.
Also? The themes hit even harder this time. Watching Lilo try to fit in, grieve the loss of her parents, and cling desperately to the idea of family. Oh boy! It’s emotional, raw, and real in a way that sneaks up on you. And Stitch? That little guy is still a chaos gremlin with zero impulse control, but he’s also weirdly relatable. When he says, “I’m not bad, I just sometimes do bad things,” I felt that. Deeply. Like, maybe-shouldn’t-have-yelled-at-my-kid-for-spilling-orange-juice-on-the-cat deeply.
Now, sure, some reviews are out there grumbling about the usual: “It’s too shiny,” “It’s not the same,” “Blah blah nostalgia.” You know what those critics need? A hug. And maybe a nap. This movie isn’t for the budget police or people who think fun ended in the '90s. It’s for the Stitch kids. And if you don’t know what that means, you’ve clearly never seen a middle school backpack covered in tiny blue aliens and chaotic energy.
Because Lilo & Stitch has never been just a story about a space fugitive - it's about family. It's about second chances. And it’s about how nobody gets left behind. Not on the island. Not in the galaxy. Not even on Disney+.
