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Film reviews

Lilo & Stitch Review

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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.

Film reviews

Snow White Review

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The songs the world loves and personalities that blend in the search for happiness all thrive in Snow White. Directed by Marc Webb, the journey of combining good and evil leaps in the characterization approach of Snow White. In comparison to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), the magical doors open at the moments of revelation. As one who went in with mixed feelings, I walked out feeling amazed and positive. The scenes and depiction of the dwarfs, the witch, and the new places all had me in a place of empathy and awe.

Going into detail about the characters, Gal Gadot plays the Evil Queen and Rachel Zegler plays Snow White. I will say that the performances are competitive among musical tracks. There are moments of combat and evil tactics. What is done right though, is keeping the tones afloat with the story line of trying to findthe light in the paths of darkness. Of course, that all begins when Snow White becomes friends with the dwarfs. The dwarfs are the key to evil losing and Snow White having the incentive to find peace again. The dwarfs range from Dopey (played by Andrew Barth Feldman), Bashful (played by Titus Burgess), Grumpy (played by Martin Klebba), Sneezy (played by Jason Kravits), Happy (played by George Salazar), and Sleepy (played by Andy Grotelueschen).

As the foundation of Snow White unravels its distinctive pattern for the real effect, the chance of connection keeps coming alive. Especially around moments of acceptance through the eyes of Zegler’s performance. She has a knack for finding inspiration and joy and that is the tool that makes Snow White feel like a labyrinth where there is both discovery and darkness. The paths with “darkness” have moments that can turn to light when one tries to change things.

Deep down though, Snow White is one of the most respectful approaches to an adaptation I have seen in a while. The battles of dynamics through the eyes of different people, creatures, and authorities feel like a universe where change comes around more swiftly than expected. This is especially seen in the relationship that Snow White has with Jonathan (played by Andrew Burnap), and the dwarfs—they are all the humanistic foundations that bring down the Evil Queen. It does not come easy, but the writing keeps soaring authentically to fuel the wonders of joys to come in Snow White.

I do recall that before watching the film, my mood was kind of up and down. More than anything because I am always consistent with watching so many movies and consuming tons of media. I do recall that my mind was encouraged and curious to see it because of the names of the dwarfs—all of which are in terms of feelings. My emotions of feeling “Happy” soared endlessly after seeing Snow White.  The wonders of the animation came back to me in full force. The CGI is done right, and all the factors of what makes a Disney film feel special areintact and working well. Snow White is one in the books for 2025. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Moana 2 Review

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A sequel from Disney that keeps the positivity going through its musical scenes. Moana 2 is a sequel that has a lot of joyful moments and is a continuation where the grandeur of Disney stays on track. With oceanography flowing through the fantasy settings, Moana 2 still holds loving moments for families across the world. The plot of the film is just rushed more than usual.

Moana (voiced by Auli’I Cravalho) has returned. Her mission is one that requires her attention after a call to her comes from her ancestors. This means that Moana’s perilous adventures must continue. Her journey takes her to the many seas of Oceania where more restoration at hand. With Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) in his own trap of struggling to escape, it will not be long before Moana and Maui team together again for many voyages in Moana 2.

In this sequel, there are more water sequences. It does not disappoint with its captivating technological imagery. The film thrives on the ambience of love and connection with both empathy and humor in the friendship of Moana and Maui. While the movie is only above average overall, it manages to fuel joy through positivity.

For the holiday season, Moana 2 is fun to sing-along to and make an empathetic connection. I felt the same way with the first film in the franchise back in 2016. Overall, the moving parts of this sequel are skimmed over, and the presence of the central conflict tends to be clouded by the moments of fantasy and wonder. This is a Disney sequel that will make bank based on its family values more than a plot construct. In the end, there may have been no real need to place emphasis on the plot because it is all about the musical moments.

The film has waves, love, and treasures. It has happy voices of dialogue from Cravalho and Johnson.  Their voices are where Moana 2 finds its most soaring moments. It is a joyful holiday sequel that does not have to be taken seriously since the fun is simply continued from the first film. Three out of four stars for Moana 2.