Aloha times five! Lilo & Stitch is a joyful ride that provides fun for the whole family. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, I felt so much nostalgia from the animated version of this movie. The adventures of friendship and positivity to be found in moments of suspense make Lilo & Stitch feel special. To go right into the plot, the film focuses on Experiment 626 aka Stitch (voiced by Chris Sanders). Stitch is a little blue alien that has run away from Pleakley (played by Billy Magnusson) and Jumba (played byZach Galifianakis). Stitch has landed on Earth and be-friends Lilo (played by Maia Kealoha). Lilo is a young girl living alone with her sister Nani (played by Sydney Agudong). Their sibling relationship is filled with love and some complexities. Stitch and Lilo are inseparable, but can they deal with the crazy dangers that Stitch has brought to the planet?

The film is boisterous with Stitch pretending to be a dog. His infectious energy causes both kids and adults to laugh. I love this real-person adaptation because it is so authentic and true to the animated version from 2002. There are so many smiles, happy places, lots of sun, and plenty of waves. The Hawaiian setting perfectly highlights the adventures of this family. Because the detectives assume Stitch is a threat, hiding the obvious becomes more challenging. It also fuels the motives for sticking together as a family. The one spy that creates a dark brand of humor is Cobra Bubbles (played by Courtney B. Vance). Given his detective instincts, he knows there are fishy aspects going on with Stitch, Lilo, and Nani. The many ways to hide lead to lots of suspenseful moments and a sore belly from all the laughs. Lilo & Stitch is simply wonderful. 

With all the highs for Lilo connected to friendship, and Nani trying to adapt to Stitch, the theme of “Ohana” hit hard and touched me. The saying goes, “Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.” That term frequently comes to my mind thanks to Lilo & Stitch. It reminds me to remember to think about others and makes me think about my own family. For example, even though Stitch drives Nani crazy, she tolerates him because he is part of their “family.” Watching the film again filled me with memories of my younger sister who learned to surf during a beach vacation in Hawaii. While I am not a surfer, we loved watching the animated version of Lilo & Stitch when we were kids. I was reminded of her fascination with surfing and other special childhood memories while watching this new version.

I loved everything about Lilo & Stitch from the many ways it promotes happiness to the theme of doing what is right. It is an extremely well-done movie with an engaging vibe. It is an enjoyable ride of family and connection that will make hearts explode with empathy. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Lilo & Stitch.