Newcomer Maia Kealoha plays Lilo, an outsider mourning the loss of both her parents while living with her sister Nani (Sydney Agudong). She is a precocious little girl whose behaviour and manner borders on the annoying but you can see the inherent goodness underneath. When the outcast blue alien Stitch comes into her life, it’s a perfect match.

The fact that both are troublemakers and free spirits plays into the film’s central theme of not judging people before you get to know them and seeing the goodness even in the displaced. This also powers the comedic momentum of the story and there are numerous laugh-out-loud moments as the two ramp up the chaos.

While missing the outright charm of the original (aided by its cute hand-drawn animated look), this new version has its own virtues, chief of which is its seamless integration of live action with computer-generated imagery. There is a wholesomeness that will please parents and leave behind a lingering positive message.
Rob Hudson
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The eagerly anticipated film, a live-action reimagining of Disney’s 2002 animated classic, will open exclusively in Australian cinemas May 22, 2025.

“Lilo & Stitch” is the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family. The film is directed by award-winning filmmaker Dean Fleischer Camp, with a screenplay by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes, and stars Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, with Courtney B. Vance, and Zach Galifianakis, and introducing Maia Kealoha.

“Lilo & Stitch” is produced by Jonathan Eirich, p.g.a. and Dan Lin, with Tom Peitzman, Ryan Halprin, Louie Provost, Thomas Schumacher serving as executive producers.

“Lilo & Stitch” opens exclusively in cinemas May 22, 2025.
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