Lilo & Stitch (2025) Review: "Marcel" Director Makes the Most Disappointing Disney Remake Yet

 

Copyright © Walt Disney

Title: Lilo & Stitch (2025)

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp Based on: Lilo & Stitch (2022)

Release Date: May 23, 2025

    Disney is now up to remaking the nostalgic animated movies from Gen Z alongside their old-timey classics. Because Snow White (2025) bombed at the box office, it was time for the company to make another live-action remake that looked promising on the surface, and it worked because it has an adorable creature that will make kids like the film! Today's movie is Lilo & Stitch (2025), the Disney live-action remake of the movie of the same name. Against a $100 million budget, along with being based on a nostalgic movie, this one gained a whopping box office success with $1.009 billion from families going into the theaters. Despite how much money it got, the movie gained mixed reviews from critics for the changes and tonal shifts from the original. However, it also got positive reviews from audiences, thanks to the nostalgia factor and CGI of the aliens. On the surface, Lilo & Stitch (2025) may be a fun family movie, but it instead tells us that ohana means nothing.

Summary

   "Stitch, an extraterrestrial entity, comes to planet Earth after he escapes his prison, where he tries to impersonate a dog. Things take a turn when Lilo adopts him from an animal shelter." - Google

Reasons

    The reasons why ohana means nothing in Lilo & Stitch (2025) are the bad message, notable changes, and mediocre story. Its altered ending is the major problem of the remake. What we heard as kids is that "ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind." That does not mean giving up custody for the excuse of something else more "important." Similarly to the message, this remake changes notable moments from the original movie. Certain characters and moments are removed, like Captain Gantu and Pleakley's cross-dressing trait, to make the movie more "family-friendly." Another thing is that Cobra Bubbles was sidelined until the climax. Then, in general, the story is a dumbed-down version of the original. Even if you see all the beaches, surfing, and hula, it barely has any themes. Instead of mainly being a wholesome bond between Lilo and her blue alien pet, it would rather focus on Nani's personal struggle. Reason? It's for the money!
    Many other reasons why Lilo & Stitch (2025) tells us that ohana means nothing are the uninteresting character writing, unneeded tonal shifts, and dull color palette. To be marketable towards families, character personalities were changed to make them more "realistic," especially Lilo and Nani. The villain, Jumba, proves that Captain Gantu should have been brought back. The only good character is Stitch because he gets to keep his chaotic personality and fuzzy charm. Besides the sanitized character rewriting, the movie shifts from the original's raw, chaotic tone. Disney changes familial playtime to polished realism for whatever could appeal to the adults. It restrains the tones that made the original nostalgic. The last thing that is bad is the color palette in a vibrant story. What made the original animated film iconic was the bright colors. In this remake, it switches those for natural blues and pinks, but it rather makes the universe look less whimsical in comparison.
    For those who look at it casually, Lilo & Stitch (2025) does offer great CGI, fun action, and strong performances. Stitch still looks like Stitch, even if he had to be painted with 3D rendering, and that's something good. What I am saying is that it thankfully doesn't use uncanny valley on the aliens. It still doesn't make much sense, though, because it is supposed to be live-action. Putting that aside, the action is still as entertaining as the original. Thanks to the sci-fi gimmicks, the fights between Stitch, Jumba, and Pleakley do stand out compared to Nani's personal struggle. The final battle is where well-choreographed action and slapstick humor come to play. Finally, the performances are solid. Unlike Snow White (2025), it chose the right actors to play the characters. Maia Kealoha broke out as Lilo, but even better, Chris Sanders reprises his role as Stitch.

Conclusion

    At the end of the day, Lilo & Stitch (2025) is more of a preachy remake that would rather align ohana with nothing instead of being a family-friendly film that everyone wanted. Besides, the original is not a classic anyway, so why would you make a remake out of it? Kids are not going to know that this is about giving up custody and girlboss attitude instead of family and culture. Yes, the CGI and action are fine, but that doesn't take this film away from being bad. It's sad because this movie is by the same director of Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, a much superior movie that properly tells a family message, and this remake doesn't do anything good. Disney needs to do better. You want a choice? Watch the 2002 animated film with your kids.

    Score: 3/10 (meega nala kweesta!)