I walked into the cinema with the highest hope — and a heart full of bias. You see, I’m a diehard fan of the original 2002 film. The kind who still remembers Lilo’s Elvis obsession, and that broken little ‘ohana’ held together with duct tape and raw emotion. So yes, I came in protective. Defensive. Ready to roll my eyes.
But somehow, Lilo & Stitch (2025) didn’t just win me over — it disarmed me. It didn’t try to outshine the original. Instead, it whispered to it. Nodded. Honoured it.
What we get here isn’t a perfect film, but it’s one made with surprising sincerity — and that alone already sets it apart from many hollow remakes chasing box office ghosts.
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Stitch 2.0 — Still Weird, Still Wonderful
Let’s get this out of the way: CGI Stitch is different. A bit uncanny, yes. But somehow it works. He’s not sanitized or overly “cute.” There’s still a spark of alien mischief, a wild energy beneath those big eyes. And Chris Sanders returning as his voice? Perfect. It’s not just nostalgia — it’s grounding. The soul of Stitch is still there, grunting, growling, and learning how to care.
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Lilo and Nani — Grit in the Glow
Maia Kealoha as Lilo is a revelation. She’s weird, fierce, and sweet without ever being sugary. A real kid. Her scenes with Stitch don’t just feel acted — they feel lived.
And then there’s Nani (Sydney Agudong), who brings a quieter strength to the screen. The change in the story — with Nani eventually leaving to follow her dreams, leaving Lilo with their neighbor, Tutu — sparked debate, but I appreciated it. It doesn’t break the ‘ohana’ theme; it reframes it. Through the lens of hanai — the Hawaiian practice of extended family adoption — the film leans into something richer: family isn’t about proximity, it’s about choice and connection.
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Hawaii Feels Like Home Again
The visuals? Glorious. Sunlight spills across surfboards and porches. The air feels heavy with salt and memory. It doesn’t feel like Hollywood pretending to be Hawaii — it feels lived-in, layered, local.
And the soundtrack? A warm, modern homage. Bruno Mars’ produced version of Burning Love punches with groove, while the updated He Mele No Lilo and Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride feel refreshed, not replaced. It’s a celebration, not a cash-in.
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Final Thoughts — This One Has a Heart
Is it better than the original? No — and it doesn’t try to be. It respects the past without trapping itself in it. It offers a softer, more grounded take for a new generation, while still whispering to those of us who grew up with the 2002 version: “We remember too.”
Not every remake needs to roar. Some, like this one, just need to speak with love.
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Favourite Scenes
1. Jumba asking, “What is Mey-Mey and Pey-Pey?”
2. Lilo and Nani singing Aloha ‘Oe together
3. Nani rescuing Stitch
4. End Credit Scene - Nani visiting Lilo
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Portverdict: 10/10 tuna š
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