LILO & STITCH

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from director Dean Fleischer Camp and Walt Disney Studios is the live action story of LILO & STITCH.

Lilo (Maia Kealoha) is a young Hawaiian girl who lives with and is being raised by older sister Nani (Sydney Agudong) since their parents’ death. Lilo has a tendency to find trouble where ever it may present itself and sometimes is brings Nani the same number of problems. Catching attention about it all is Mrs. Kekoa (Tia Carrere), a social worker who does understand that Nani is struggling to raise her little sister. After a home visit, Nani is informed that a supervisor social worker, Mr. Bubbles (Courtney B. Vance) will be visiting in a week so its time to get things together for both Lilo and Nani.

In another part of the unknown universe, Dr. Jookiba (Zach Galifianakis in human form) is in trouble with the United Galactic Federation for creating a monster called 626 as the Grand Councilwoman (Hannah Waddingham) makes it clear that neither the doctor nor the creature are welcome and are banished. Well, 626 has other plans and manages to escape! There is no other choice than to send creator Dr. Jookiba and earth “expert” Agent Pleakley (Billy Magnussen in human form) after the creature.

Back on earth, 626 has landed and made its way to the local animal shelter where no one is sure quiet what is in a cage! Following closely behind are Jookiba and Pleakley who have now chosen human forms to start the search. Lilo meanwhile has had a bit of trouble with dancing, school, other girls her age and finds solace at the local animal shelter where she meets and falls in love with 626. No one can believe she would want him but – she does! Nani isn’t the least bit happy about it especially since neighbor Tutu (Amy Hill) encouraged it.

Having to take Lilo to work with her new friend, even fellow surfer David (Kaip Dudoit) isn’t quite sure what the creature could be classified as. After a night of craziness, Nani is back looking for a job and Lilo meets Mr. Bubbles who shows an interested in the newly named Stitch. In the bushes lurking are Jookiba and Pleakley who are under pressure from the Grand Councilwoman to catch Stitch. Lilo has found kinship with Stitch and she does her best to teach him what its like to have family and how to try to fit in on earth.

As things become more chaotic, Lilo and Nani realize that there is no way they can live without the one and only Stich!

Kealoha as Lilo is a very charming little girl that plays amazingly opposite of the blue screened creature name Stitch. It does look like she is having a wonderful time and, as a kid, who wouldn’t! Her smile and laugh light up the screen and even when giving Stitch side-eye, she does so like a pro. Agudong as Nani is a sister who is missing out on her own life goals as a Marine Biologist but wants to be responsible for her sister and all that comes with it. Trying to work and take care of Lilo is really difficult for an adult, let alone a girl who isn’t even out of her teens yet. Agudong is also sweet in the role of a girl feeling she has to make a choice and neither one is good in her eyes.

Galifianakis as Dr. Jookiba takes on a human form once he is on earth. Wanting to go after Stitch for his own selfish purpose, he is under the control of the United Galactic Federation to come up with the goods. His frustration comes when he realizes that Stitch is smarter than even he thought. Galifianakis gets into stitches of trouble and it is pretty funny. Sidekick Magnussen as Pleakley is the earth “expert” comic relief of the two. Watching him embrace everything on earth, he wants to make sure that it stays exactly as it is without Jookiba blowing things up every chance he gets. These two actors together are comedy on their own!

Vance as Bubbles is a social worker in disguise on the lookout for strange happenings – and that includes Stitch. Vance is calm and cool, even when things get a little crazy. Carrere as Mrs. Kekoa the social worker seems to understand Nani’s predicament and is empathetic but still has to do her job. Carrere was actually the voice of Nani in the animated version of LILO & STITCH. Hill as Tutu is the funny neighbor that has her own way of doing things. She looks out for Nani and Lilo as she can and wants the best for them. When weird things happen, Tutu is the one that doesn’t seem to think any of it is strange!

Finally Stitch – well, let’s just say we think he’s worth every moment of fun!

Shout outs to Chris Sanders as the voice of Stitch. A bit of trivia for everyone, Sanders created the characters and directed the animated LILO & STITCH along with Dean DeBlois. Also, the luau manager is played by Jason Scott Lee who was the original voice of David in the animated film. Waddingham as the voice of the Grand Councilwoman makes it clear that Stitch can’t be allowed to go willy-nilly causing a ruckus.

Walt Disney Studios continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available please visit www.movies.disney.com.

LILO & STICH as a live action is still charming, funny and will make a nice night at the movies for the family. There is laughter, color, outrageousness and everything the 2002 animated film had to offer. It is another live-action that Disney deemed necessary to reboot in another way. Families will have no problems having a good time and those who are fans of the animated version will see a few changes and recognize a few voices quite easily.

In a theatre full of kids there is something to note that I wonder if Disney ever considered. When the scenes became maudlin or scenes dragged out with topics that aren’t fun, the kids lost interest quickly which makes it hard to get back (as anyone with kids will tell you). The kid enjoyed the fun, the antics, the fun and that’s what they want to see. That’s what we all want to see which is what makes the Disney animated versions of all their releases amazing. Yes, there are serious moments but they only last a moment and then on with the laughs and charm. Something to consider there Disney!

It is a holiday weekend and with families getting a chance to hang out together for an extra day, might be just the time to gather up the kids, grandkids, oh well even the kids at heart and popcorn up for LILO & STITCH!

In the end – hold on to your coconuts!

Comments

comments

Recommend to friends
  • gplus
  • pinterest

About the Author

Jeri Jacquin

Jeri Jacquin covers film, television, DVD/Bluray releases, celebrity interviews, festivals and all things entertainment.