by Hudson Moura
Dean Fleischer Camp’s Lilo & Stitch (2025) is not simply another Disney live-action remake—it is an ambitious, technically impressive hybrid that blends animation and live-action with remarkable cohesion. While the original 2002 animated film is beloved for its quirky tone and emotional heart, this updated version expands the story’s visual vocabulary by introducing a new dimension through hyperreal animation and a surprisingly fluid interplay between CGI and live action.
Stitch, the genetically engineered blue alien, remains the chaotic-yet-lovable antihero of the story, but here he is rendered in ultra-detailed, photo-realistic animation. The results are stunning. The texture of his fur, his expressiveness, and his integration into live-action environments showcase a level of VFX refinement that evokes comparisons not so much with Who Framed Roger Rabbit as with modern cinematic universes—but with a heart. The 3D animation is not only technically superior to the original 2D version but adds emotional depth to Stitch’s presence. He becomes more than a cartoon character; he’s a creature you might believe inhabits the same physical space as his human counterparts.
Lilo, portrayed with spirited charm by newcomer Maia Kealoha, anchors the story with sincerity. Her performance captures the emotional turbulence of a child coping with loss, loneliness, and the yearning for connection. Alongside her, Zach Galifianakis plays Pleakley with delightful eccentricity, and Sydney Agudong as Nani brings grounded warmth and realism. Their performances, while slightly restrained by the simplicity of the storyline, provide a strong human counterbalance to Stitch’s animated energy.
The film doesn’t radically alter the narrative trajectory of its predecessor. It remains a tale of belonging, family, and outsider identity—told through a series of comedic misadventures and heartfelt revelations. What distinguishes this version, however, is its confident refusal to be merely nostalgic. Instead, it proposes a visual evolution: not a remake, but a reinterpretation and expansion of the original’s aesthetic and tonal intentions.
If anything, the story may feel too safe. The emotional beats are familiar, and the plot sticks closely to the original’s structure. Yet the film’s merit lies in its seamless technical artistry and the emotional resonance that arises from its visual innovation. The balance of live-action and animation is not only well-executed but occasionally breathtaking.
While Lilo & Stitch (2025) may not reinvent the emotional arc of the original, it succeeds in creating a hybrid cinematic language that is both playful and immersive. It’s a film that deserves a sequel—less for its narrative potential than for the creative possibilities it opens in the ever-evolving space between live-action and animation. 
3.5/5