The Gist
As a young girl deals with the death of her parents she finds herself befriending an alien.
The Review
Many people have been critical of Disney’s decision to turn some of their classic animated films into live-action movies but to be honest I have never seen the issue with it. The Lion King probably set everything up the whole idea with its marvellous re-working looking amazing with the modern CGI technology.
Now another film from the Disney vault has benefited from a modern day re-working with the story of Lilo & Stitch going to whole new emotional level with the introduction of two amazingly talented actresses introduced into the mix.
For those that have never seen the original film the plot revolves around a young girl named Lilo (Maia Kealoha – The Wrecking Crew) whose life has been turned upside down after the death of her parents. She has been acting out and disobeying the rules set by her older sister, and now guardian, Nani (Sydney Elizebeth Agudong – West Michigan).
That has attracted the attention of social worker Mrs Kekoa (Tia Carrere – True Lies) who has been blunt – things have to change or Nani will lose custody of Lilo.
Meanwhile in another universe a crazy scientist called Dr Jumba Jookiba (Zach Galifianakis – The Hangover) has been charged for creating a new destruction driven creature known as Experiment 626 who is later named Stitch (voiced by Chris Sanders – The Croods).
Things go from bad to worse when the highly intelligent creature breaks free and his space ship heads towards Earth. The Grand Councilwoman (voiced by Hannah Waddingham – The Fall Guy) at first calls for Earth to be vaporised but is then convinced to instead send Jookiba and a young explorer named Pleakley (Billy Magnussen – Game Night) to retrieve him.
Then on Earth Lilo meets Stitch and forms a strong bond. But unfortunately trouble seems to follow the pair especially with Jookiba and Pleakley trying to grab Stitch at every opportunity and now Special Agent Cobra Bubbles (Courtney B. Vance – Dangerous Minds) hot on their heels.
Director Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcell The Shell With Shoes On) and his team of writers have actually been able to create something pretty special with Lilo & Stitch and the result is a film that will genuinely make you laugh and cy.
First of all the major roles being played by actual actresses brings real heart and emotion to the film. Maia Kealoha puts in one of the best feature film debuts that Hollywood has ever seen as she plays the troubled young Lilo. With the way she brings the character to the screen, and aided by a well written screenplay, she is easily able to push past the theory that Lilo is just ‘naughty’ and instead reveal just how emotionally damaged she really is.
Likewise that screenplay and brilliant acting performance by Sydney Elizebeth Agudong reveals just how troubled Nani is. Many of the scenes where the audience get to see Agudong and Kealoha act in together as they realise that their family is falling apart are so heartfelt they become truly memorable. The animation tried to reach that level but could never match the magic that these two bring to the screen. Yes, these scenes actually do bring a tear to your eye.
On the flipside of that both Camp and the screenwriting team also handle the comedy of the film brilliantly as well. From the get go the characters of Jookiba, Pleakley and Bubbles are there for laughs and the three actors involved in those roles deliver with the aid of some well-timed physical humour in the script. It feels at times that Camp and co have given Galifianakis free reign when it comes to the comedic side of his character and that well thought out plan results in laughs throughout the film.
The fact that the film mixes the comedy and emotionally moments so well it is absolute credit to Dean Fleischer Camp and screenwriters Chris Kekaniokalani Bright (feature debut) and Mike Van Waes (Dear David). The result is a film that truly will be loved by people of all ages.
I also feel that credit must be given to Amy Hill (The Cat In A Hat) and Kaipo Dudoit (My Partner) whose performances also enhance the emotional side of the film. Hill is brilliant as the caring Tutu while Dudoit makes a believable love interest for Nani.
The Verdict
With a beautifully written screenplay that finds a way to mix both comedy and emotion together and brilliant performances from Maia Kealoha and Sydney Elizabeth Agudong Lilo & Stitch comes together in such a way that it is almost the perfect family film. This is a must see for people of all ages.
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