Lilo & Stitch * Keeps The Nostalgia Of The Original Movie While Giving It A Fresh, Real-Life Twist
Wednesday, May 21st, 2025
Lilo & Stitch is a 2025 American science fiction comedy film directed by Dean Fleischer Camp and written by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes. The story is about a lonely human girl named Lilo who adopts a dog-like alien named Stitch to mend her fractured family, unaware that Stitch is genetically engineered to be a force of destruction, and is being pursued by aliens and social workers, while Lilo teaches Stitch the idea of family.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Katherine comments, “I enjoyed Disney’s new live action remake Lilo & Stitch. It keeps the nostalgia of the original movie while giving it a fresh, real-life twist and is one of the better recent live action remakes.” Isabella V. adds, “Lilo & Stitch is such a beautiful movie, not only visually but also in its story. I was in awe at so many points and felt so many emotions throughout the movie thanks to the incredible cast and crew.” Avani M. wraps it with, “This film’s message is about family. This is a big theme in this story. No matter how much trouble Lilo or Stitch cause, they stay as one big family with Nani. We are also reminded that it is okay to be different. Lilo is different from other kids her age and is made fun of.” See their full reviews below.
Lilo & Stitch
By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17
(L-R) Lilo (Maia Kealoha) and Stitch in Disney’s live-action LILO & STITCH. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2025 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
I enjoyed Disney’s new live action remake Lilo & Stitch. It keeps the nostalgia of the original movie while giving it a fresh, real-life twist and is one of the better recent live action remakes.
Lilo & Stitch (2025) brings the adored animated film of the same name from 2002 to life. Lilo (Maia Kealoha) is a lonely Hawaiian girl who lives with her older sister, Nani (Sydney Agudong) after their parents sadly pass away. Lilo discovers an adorable, but very chaotic fugitive alien named Stitch (Chris Sanders), who she teaches the meaning of “ohana,” which means family, while he helps mend her own.
This remake stays pretty true to the original story with a few minor differences and the addition of a few new characters.
(L-R) Maia Kealoha as Lilo and Stitch in Disney’s live-action LILO & STITCH. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2025 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
I love the designs of Stitch and the other aliens, like Pleakley and Jumba, as they stay very true to their original characters from the animated version but have more realistic textures and qualities to fit a live action movie. Stitch somehow looks even more adorable as a live action alien, kind of reminding me of Baby Yoda. Maia Kealoha, who portrays Lilo, is precious and I was rooting for her the whole way. This movie is her big screen debut, and she is incredibly talented, especially considering that her co-star is completely CGI. Nani and Lilo’s bond is explored more in this movie which I like as they really emulate a sibling relationship, but I wish that more of Stitch and Lilo’s bond was explored as their connection feels a little rushed.
Chris Sanders returns to voice Stitch’s iconic voice which really helps keep the magic of the original movie as most of the other characters are played by new actors.
(L-R) Amy Hill as Tūtū and Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles in Disney’s live-action LILO & STITCH. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2025 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
One of my favorite characters from this movie is a new one, Tutu, played by Amy Hill. She actually had a small role in the original film, and now she plays the sweet and lovable neighbor of Lilo and Nani. Overall, I definitely prefer the original animated Lilo & Stitch movie from 2002 but this version is still worth the watch for young kids and Stitch fans.
The film’s messages are about the importance of fighting for your family and a reminder that everyone is capable of change. It also displays the importance of strength, resilience and forgiveness during difficult times.
I give Lilo & Stitch 4 out of 5 stars and I recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. It comes out in theaters on May 23, 2025.
Lilo & Stitch
By Isabella V., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 14
(L-R) Sydney Agudong as Nani, Maia Kealoha as Lilo and Stitch in Disney’s live-action LILO & STITCH. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2025 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Lilo & Stitch is such a beautiful movie, not only visually but also in its story. I was in awe at so many points and felt so many emotions throughout the movie thanks to the incredible cast and crew.
Taking place in Hawaii and based on the 2002 animated film, the story follows Lilo (Maia Kealoha), a little girl struggling with being in a broken family, as she befriends Stitch (Chris Sanders), an alien hiding from being captured once again. Through this relationship, her small family attempts to stick together while keeping this strange pet.
The film’s cinematography is gorgeous with so many wonderful shots capturing the beauty of the Hawaiian island of Oahu where it was shot. I love the shots on the water, especially when Lilo, Nani, and Stitch are surfing.
(L-R) Maia Kealoha as Lilo and Sydney Agudong as Nani in Disney’s live-action LILO & STITCH. Photo by Matt Kennedy. © 2025 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The soundtrack also adds to the film and fits the mood needed for each scene. The upbeat songs during the surfing scenes or when Lilo and Stitch are playing are particularly enjoyable. The acting is incredible; all the actors have great chemistry with each other. The standout is the relationship between Lilo and her sister Nani (Sydney Agudong), who genuinely feel like they are sisters. I found myself becoming attached to the characters and getting emotional at times. The humorous script and the actors’ comedic timing are impeccable.
The CGI is extraordinary – everything is so detailed, especially Stitch.
The film’s message is about families sticking together, regardless if they are related by blood or not. Be warned that there are some intense fighting sequences.
I give Lilo & Stitch 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18. It releases in theaters on May 23, 2025.
Lilo & Stitch
By Avani M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 12
Lilo (Maia Kealoha) in Disney’s live-action LILO & STITCH. Photo by Matt Kennedy. © 2025 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Disney’s live action Lilo & Stitch brings a fresh retelling of the classic story about the sense of family. I like how the film combines beautiful settings and themes of love, acceptance and family.
Set in the Hawaiian Islands, the story of Lilo and Stitch follows a girl with a really big imagination named Lilo (Maia Kealoha). Throughout the story, she and her sister, Nani (Sydney Agudong), struggle with the loss of her parents and Lilo feels out of place in her community. Then one day, Lilo meets a strange creature who she thinks is a dog named Stitch (Chris Sanders). At first, Stitch does nothing but cause destruction in their household. This provides an even bigger challenge for Nani because she has stepped into the role of a parent. Originally Stitch was exiled from his own planet, but after seeing the bond of their family, the Grand Councilwoman (Hannah Waddingham) lets him live with Lilo.
Grand Councilwoman voiced by Hannah Waddingham in Disney’s live-action LILO & STITCH. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2025 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.
I love the setting on the island of Oahu; it is filled with vibrant colors and beautiful trees and flowers. The acting is terrific, especially newcomer, Maia Kealoha, who is incredible as Lilo. Her tone brings a mix of happiness and sadness at different times; she never fails to have great facial expressions and reactions. Sydney Agudong is awesome in the role of Nani; she is great at showing her love, strength and how stressed she is when trying to be a good mother. And I really love the relationship between Lilo and Nani because it is so nice how they always believe in each other. I also love how in times of struggle, they manage to work together. Chris Sanders comes back to voice Stitch. Even though Stitch doesn’t talk as much, Chris Sanders puts lots of emotion into his growls and little laughs.
One of my favorite characters is Agent Cobra Bubbles played by Courtney B. Vance. At first, Vance shows up as an intimidating character, but as the movie continues, we see that he only wants what is best for the girls. Ohana is the Hawaiian word for family and the film talks about how nobody in your family gets left behind or forgotten.
This film’s message is about family. This is a big theme in this story. No matter how much trouble Lilo or Stitch cause, they stay as one big family with Nani. We are also reminded that it is okay to be different. Lilo is different from other kids her age and is made fun of. Stitch doesn’t know how to fit in and thinks that he is just tearing the family apart. However, the two sisters and Stitch find a way to keep going and work hard.
I give Lilo and Stitch 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages to 5 to 18, plus adults. It releases in theaters on May 23, 2025
A fun and adventurous Panda travels from China to Africa to rescue his best friend, Dragon, who has been kidnapped by the lions. On his journey, he discovers a completely unknown world and faces frightening hippos, suspicious hyenas, and wise gorillas. Relying on his wits and some newfound friends, he makes his way across Africa, before rescuing his friend Dragon and saving his new friends’ jungle home.
Panda Bear in Africa is outstanding! The storyline is captivating and thematically rich. Many characters share words of wisdom that make the film inspirational. I enjoyed the creative humor and witty comments throughout the film.
This film is phenomenal! The storyline is well done and impressive. Pang’s adventure is riveting and the characters he meets along the way open up when he embraces them with kindness. I like the wise comments in the film such as “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Putting these wise words into the film adds a level of depth relatable to many. The humor is abundant throughout the film mainly from the lion prince Ade (Namisa Mdalose). The humor is child appropriate and enjoyable for all ages. My favorite part is the lion prince’s birthday party because many animals bring him some hilarious gifts. My favorite character is Niala (Candice Modiselle) because she is guarded and salty at the beginning but becomes friendlier toward the end of the film.
I love Panda Bear in Africa. It is funny, well animated, has an amazing storyline, and great voice acting. It kept me entertained and laughing through the whole movie.
Panda Bear in Africa is filled with ridiculous scenes and jokes that kept cracking me up. Even the characters themselves are hilarious. Props to the animators for using the CGI to the fullest. They use it to the absolute best of their capabilities to make everything so beautiful. The sand, water, trees, even the animals are wonderfully done. I have to commend Richard Claus and Karsten Kiilerich for both writing and directing this movie. The script is fantastic and it had me wondering what was going to happen next. It also kept my eyes open while I sat at the edge of my seat. I could feel all the emotions the main characters were expressing. I especially love the voice acting of Yootha Wong Loi Sing. He really captures a goofy, childlike personality for his character. The casting is really good all across the board. The music department really succeeds at making the music match the scenes. It really helped immerse me into the film. As much as I love this film, the one thing that is missing is character development – the characters are pretty much one dimensional. Other than that, this is a great film. My favorite part is when Jielong’s self-pep talk goes terribly wrong and she is then faced with a duo of dastardly animals which complicate her plans.
I like the film Panda Bear in Africa, because of its adventures and the Nigerian accents. l also like how the panda is so warm-hearted and genuine. I like how the dragon always supports the panda in everything he does – and it goes both ways. In everything they do, they are so intertwined; it’s almost like their brains are connected.
One thing that is very noticeable is the panda bear’s bravery; it broke my heart to see the panda risk everything to save his friend’s life. In addition to his warm-hearted personality, Panda Bear is emotional, thoughtful, responsible and goofy. The other characters help us better understand the panda bear’s personality. I didn’t like how JoJo is always leaving the panda and running away. However, I do really like the ending when he comes to help the panda. I also like Ade (Namisa Mdalose), because he’s funny – after every sad scene he brings happiness. This movie taught me to think about how jungle animals live and take care of each other. I like how The Lion King and Kung Fu Panda are referenced. I love the adventures in this movie. They made me jump out of my seat every time something exciting happened. I also like how they combine Asia and Africa here. The graphics are crisp and realistic – making the audience feel as if you are a part of the movie. Another notable element is how the jungle is shown in both countries. I also like the lighting; it makes the jungle look so real. The darkness is real as well.
Panda Bear in Africa is a cute, heartwarming animated film full of fun characters, vibrant colors, and great messages. I enjoyed the animation, the characters and all the lessons the movie teaches along the way.
The animation is so bright and vibrantly colored! The greens of the jungle and red and yellows of Pang’s home town make me feel like I am right there with Pang. However, I was disappointed that Pang and the other animals are not so cute, the landscapes are not particularly detailed and the lion’s rock feels very flat. However I do like how lions and hyenas are part of the story. I love how every animal has its own personality and skills that, in the end, are used to help Pang find his friend. At first, they don’t work together so well, but eventually they learn to work as a team. The voice actors are expressive and fit each character with a unique and interesting personality for each one. Pang has a gentle tone that shows how caring he is. He helps everyone in need even if it means risking something and giving people multiple chances. Georgina Verbaan, who voices Jielong has a very upbeat tone and sounds very positive all the time, even when she is captured. Maurits Delchot plays the very talkative monkey, Jojo. He is energetic and provides comedic relief for the story. Jojo accompanies Pang on his journey and guides Pang through Africa.
Teenage inventor Miles Fletcher unlocks the lost secret to limitless energy, catching the attention of Luxos Energy, a corporation posing as heroes. Just as he perfects his invention, they betray him—stealing his work and shutting him out. With nowhere to turn, Miles must decide—give up or trust his friends and fight back. In a high-stakes battle of ingenuity vs. industry, he races to stop Luxos before they turn his discovery into a weapon.
The Lightning Code is a thrilling and heartfelt adventure that blends science, friendship, and courage into a family-friendly sci-fi film that sparks your imagination! With high-stakes action, lovable characters, and a meaningful message about innovation and integrity, this film is a standout in the genre.
The story follows teen inventor Miles Fletcher (Andrew Reid), who finally cracks his late mother’s code, an invention based on Nikola Tesla’s dream of limitless energy. When a powerful corporation called Luxos Energy steps in with promises to help, Miles believes he’s found a way to change the world. But Luxos has its own sinister agenda. With the help of his best friend Piper, her hilarious younger brother Jamie, and his loyal robot companion Newt, Miles must outsmart a tech giant and unlock the truth about his invention and himself. Andrew Reid brings charm and conviction to the role of Miles, making him both relatable and inspiring. Piper is a standout character too, fierce, loyal, and smart. The chemistry among the young cast is fun to watch, and Newt the robot adds humor and heart to the team.
The visual effects are impressive, especially during the high-voltage scenes involving Miles’ invention. The film feels both futuristic and grounded, thanks to its sleek design and real-world themes. One of my favorite parts of the movie is when Miles and Piper break into Luxos to retrieve the missing blueprints; it’s full of suspense, clever thinking, and showcases their strong friendship. The film also excels in building emotional stakes, especially in scenes that connect Miles to his mother’s memory and mission.
The Lightning Code is not your standard issue sci-fi film. A complex plot with multiple layers, mystery at every turn, and the trust and chemistry of friendship set the stage to prove that the future is truly what we make it.
It might seem like this feature is pretty straightforward, but there are more twists and turns than I expected. Multiple elusive storylines create an air of mystery, and how the parallel adventures from multiple times come together, through code, is fun to see. There are times when Miles might feel stuck, only to find a phrase or a sequence from years before that shows the way through a challenge. My favorite scene is actually one such instance. After Miles learns the truth behind Luxos, he’s not sure where to turn next. All seems lost until a saved childhood artifact reveals the code he must crack for him to keep going.
Now any good movie has laughter, and The Lightning Code is no exception. This movie finds its own in Newt, a robot with a wicked sense of dry humor. Built to help Miles’ endeavors, Newt always is there to provide a new side to the argument with hilarious and often sarcastic comments. Of course Miles has more friends than just a realist robot. The chemistry between Piper, Jamie, and Miles is clear as day, and brings the movie further into reality. Director Kali Bailey wonderfully captures the spirit of teamwork as the friends work through the difficulties Luxos throws their way.
The Lightning Code is such a unique movie with incredible visuals and ideas. It’s unlike anything I have ever seen, and the mysteries and puzzles always had me invested thanks to their distinctiveness.
The Lightning Code has such distinctive ideas and uses very interesting concepts to create a captivating story. The concepts and ideas for technology in this film are phenomenal – not only are they remarkable, but they are especially well designed and executed. For example, the machine for power is so special and cool looking, and I love how the way it works is well explained. The story is very well-written, with noteworthy plot points and characters such as the protagonist, Miles Fletcher. His character arc is extremely well-developed, and his actions and reactions are all believable as a result of our following his reasoning as it occurs. However, some earlier scenes suffer from a lack of buildup, leading to them to make less of an impact than later scenes, despite their importance. These scenes are helped by the impeccable camera work by Diego Cacho which highlights the emotions of the characters through the visuals.
On the whole, the visuals are extraordinary – the sets help tell the story and the bigger effects, such as the explosions, all leave their mark. The music choices add a lot, especially in the montages, such as when “The Spark” is used when Miles is inventing – they help tell the story through the lyrics.
Ella‘s story begins in Greece, she is the only child of Jack, an American singer-song writer and Despina, a Greek, zany, overprotective Gyros owner. Nick, Ella’s only friend, is a 10 year old shy, nerdy looking boy. Ella and Nick grow and their friendship turns into love but in 2010 the Greek economy collapses, Nick vanishes and Jack dies. Despina and Ella have to move overnight to America for their survival. Now Ella is a 27 years old late-bloomer, with zero love life, dreaming of becoming a singer, but Despina pressures her to take over the Gyros. During their daily fight, Despina drops dead of a heart attack only to returns as an intervening ghost, haunting Ella with unwanted advice and romantic guidance after Nick re-surfaces as a handsome doctor (and something of a playboy). In this supernatural heartwarming romantic comedy-drenched in Greek Drama – Ella will ultimately take control of her life. Find the meaning of true love and learn how to deal with the passing of her mother.
Greek Mothers Never Die is a comedic, warm-hearted movie. I really like this film and the way that it highlights the Greek experience. It’s over-the-top dramatic in such an exciting way!
I really enjoyed all the comedic aspects of this film. Getting to learn about the Greek mother-daughter relationship was really interesting to me. Seeing how overprotective Greek mothers are, yet so loving, and always putting their children first is so special. I could feel the energy and joy that this film created with the audience in the theater. For example, at one point, Despina is spying on Ella while she is interacting with a boy. This moment is quite funny, and something that people can easily relate too. Another standout is Rachel Suissa’s talent. Not only does she play the leading role of Despina, she also directed the film, wrote the script, and wrote most of the music. Her work ethic and quality of work is extremely impressive. Rachel’s passion and love for this project is so evident, and shines through as you watch the film. The storyline was inspired by her own life, making everything feel very authentic. There certainly would be no better person to take on this project than her.
Lastly, the chemistry and connection between Abby Miner, and Simon Rérolle, who plays Nick, is outstanding. These two actors work so well together, and you can feel the love they have for each other bouncing off the screen. I learned that they had very little time from meeting one another, to filming, which makes their connection even more incredible. It is almost natural — I found myself smiling at the screen because of their lovely admiration for one another. All of their moments on the boat dock are key to the development of their relationship, and establish such a genuine connection.
After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap, an unconventional team of antiheroes must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.
