Lilo & Stitch- An Ohana (Family) Rock & Hawaiian Roll.

Another weekend of “Auntie Adventures” with my youngest “greats”. As a forever Disney kid myself, a Lilo & Stitch fan (the original film, not all the spinoff stuff), and a supporter of my niece’s die-hard love for the “blue critter cutie”, stepping out to see the remake on its opening weekend was the perfect play. Decked in our Stitch threads, we were off to scope the screen. For the kids, it was junk food and jolly, for me…I came to assess the “do-over damage”.

We all know the intriguing story. A sisterly single parent Hawaiian family (due to the loss of their parents) hits a plateau when Nani struggles to take care of her charismatic and strong-willed little sister, Lilo. Meanwhile on a neighboring planet, an “experiment gone wrong” (626 aka “Stitch”) gets sentenced to exile and crash lands on Earth during an escape. Simultaneously in the girls’ world, jobs are lost, DFS is involved, and a new blue companion is found.

Storyline: 3/5

Though we are familiar with the original animated story, which is very unique in structure and culture, I couldn’t help but to be a bit disappointed that the live remake’s storyline didn’t really add any “umph” to the new film. I did love the fact that it stayed true to the original, but there was PLENTY of space to add some new twists that I think the film failed to make. Some things were added, but I just wanted more. However, the “bones” of the story stayed intact, and that’s what mattered. I just feel like “why remake the film if it’s almost exactly the same?” No pun intended, I felt the same way about The Lion King (2019).

Screenplay: 4/5

Again, with these here kid and family films, I hold grace lol. I get it, the screenplay has to be not so complex so that the babies can stay focused and enjoy. It flowed smoothly with a good soundtrack as well. However, it being a live film, I was hoping for more tenderness in the scene where Nani was trying to tell Lilo that she has to live with someone else. I know the children of this gen are more “emotionally conscious”…but SHEESH. Let them cry sometimes! Lol.

Characters: 4/5

(clockwise from top left) Lilo, Stich, and Nani (portrayed by Sydney Agudong). Stitch and Lilo. Tia Carrere as “Mrs. Kekoa”, Kaipo Dudoit as “David Kawena”, Nani, Zach Galifianakis as “Jumba” and Billy Magnussen as “Pleakley”, and Courtney B. Vance as “Cobra Bubbles”.

The casting and characters were awesome. Maia and Sydney’s on-screen sister chemistry was so warm and loving. Galifianakis and Magnussen as the odd alien pair “Jumba and Pleakley” was perfect, and Zach (Jumba) and his branded humor was hilarious. An honorable mention is most definitely the infamous Amy Hill (Mrs. Ho-Kym from Next Friday) cast as the good neighbor that everyone needs. My only con would be THE Mr. Courtney B. Vance (Angela Bassett’s man) as the bulky bald Cobra Bubbles. I assume the original voice and veteran actor Ving Rhames wasn’t available. Nonetheless, Vance represented well.

Graphics and Cinematography: 5/5

Beautiful vibrant Hawaiian coloring. Stitch’s design was cute and cuddly. We sat front row, so I couldn’t get a full frame experience, but from where I was, I enjoyed the clean-cut angles and contrast.

Lilo & Stitch will forever be a unique gem in the hearts of us true Disney kids. A story so familiar in society of struggling single parents, orphaned or foster children, this film speaks hope in the horizon. Ohana (family) comes in different sizes, structures and forms. No matter the makeup, its EVERYTHING. Cherish it always. -Ngozi The Blessed