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The Sun
21 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Lilo & Stitch lacking in soul
IN the long line of Disney's live-action remakes, Lilo & Stitch joins the class of well-cast, well-budgeted reimaginings that feel... fine. Not offensively bad. Not memorably good. Just somewhere orbiting Planet Okay. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On), the film checks the boxes: beautiful Hawaiian backdrops, a fluffy blue alien and a story about family that still says 'ohana.' But somewhere between the sun-soaked visuals and the CGI shenanigans, the remake forgets to pack one crucial thing for its theatrical vacation: its soul. Stitch is the star (as he should be) Everyone knows that everyone came for Stitch. And for that, the movie delivers. The beloved chaos gremlin is as destructive and adorable as ever, thanks to the returning voice of Chris Sanders, who breathes familiar life into the blue misfit. Kids in the audience are eating it up, laughing, gasping and cheering during every scene where Stitch does something wild or weird. And to be fair, he is incredibly well-rendered. The animation team clearly spent time making sure his ears, fur and general menace translate well into live action. But Stitch alone cannot hold up the film's emotional core and that is where the cracks begin to show. Cast that deserves better material There is nothing technically wrong with the acting here. Newcomer Maia Kealoha brings a spark of charm as the plucky Lilo and Sydney Elizebeth Agudong handles big sister Nani's stress with surprising maturity. Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen bring the expected oddball flair to their alien roles and the supporting cast, including Hannah Waddingham and Courtney B. Vance, fits the puzzle neatly. The issue is not performance, it is purpose. The script feels like a paint-by-numbers retelling that is too cautious to be fresh and too reverent to be impactful. The result is a movie where actors are doing their best, but the emotion gets lost somewhere between the picture-perfect beaches and the galactic exposition dumps. Aesthetically polished, emotionally thin Visually, Lilo & Stitch is a tropical treat. Kaua'i is captured in warm, golden light and the island's natural beauty radiates off the screen. There is a clear effort to respect Hawaiian culture through casting, music and local flavour and while the dialogue occasionally leans into awkward exposition, it is all cleanly directed and competently paced. But polished visuals can not replace authentic feeling. Where the original animated film tugged at heartstrings with its small-scale sincerity, the live-action version often feels like a glossy souvenir nice to look at, but not something that sticks with you. The emotional highs are muted, the character arcs feel rushed and the raw vulnerability that made the original a tearjerker has been replaced with safer, broader beats meant to appeal to a general audience. Film for the kids One thing is certain: children are having a blast. From Stitch's antics to the colourful action sequences, this remake plays like a crowd-pleasing matinee for the under-10 crowd. It is loud, fast and funny enough to hold short attention spans and Stitch remains a merchandiser's dream. For adults or fans of the 2002 original, though, the experience varies. Some may find comfort in the nostalgia, while others will notice that the film, despite its efforts, never quite reaches the emotional depth or quirky sincerity that made the original a cult favourite. It is the cinematic equivalent of a re-recorded pop song, technically competent, but missing the soul of the original performance. Safe, slight and sort of sweet Lilo & Stitch is not a disaster. It is a decent family film that entertains without offending, but rarely inspires. Fans hoping for a bold reimagining or a deeply emotional retelling may leave wanting more. At the same time, younger audiences and casual viewers will likely walk away satisfied, especially if they came just to see Stitch run wild. This is not the worst-acted remake out there. It is not even the worst Disney has done. It is simply another entry in the live-action pipeline that feels more like a product than a passion project. Watch it for Stitch. Watch it for fun. Just do not expect to feel much when it is over. DIRECTOR: Dean Fleischer Camp CAST: Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Zach Galifianakis E-VALUE: 6/10 PLOT: 5/10 ACTING: 5/10
TimesLIVE
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Tom Cruise tackles his final Mission, Lilo and Stitch are back, Cannes celebrates great movies and stars
Spotlight is our bite-sized entertainment snapshot featuring new releases in SA, exclusive film trailers and more. New episodes come out every Thursday on Sunday Times Lifestyle, Sowetan Entertainment and YouTube, plus you can follow Spotlight on Facebook. Spotlight this week features some of Hollywood's biggest blockbuster releases and a closer look at Johannesburg's latest VIP luxury cinema destination. Lilo & Stitch is Walt Disney Studios live-action remake of the popular original animation S titch! The Movie about an extraterrestrial entity who finds his way to Earth, with hilarious and chaotic consequences. Crossing paths with Lilo, they navigate the world together as best friends. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On) and starring Maia Kealoha, Sydney Agudong and Chris Sanders, it is on at cinemas and 3D. With the central theme of ohana, meaning family, the release is a stellar outing for the whole family. The mission impossible forges ahead one last time in the eighth and final chapter. Shot in the UK, SA and the Arctic, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning picks up where Dead Reckoning left off, with Tom Cruise again as death-defying Ethan Hunt pursuing the destruction of the Entity. It is directed again by franchise veteran Christopher McQuarrie and with returning cast Esai Morales, Hayley Atwell and Angela Bassett. On at cinemas, IMAX, 4DX and D-BOX, the film is an action-packed marvel delivering the best escapism. The 78th Cannes Film Festival laid down the red carpet last week with some of Hollywood's finest stepping out to announce and promote new cinema releases. Highlights of the festival included the French comedy Leave One Day by Amélie Bonnin as the opening film, and the Honorary Palme d'Or awarded to two Hollywood giants Robert De Niro and Denzel Washington. It also included the world premiere for Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, with those attending applauding the cast and talent of the film with a five-minute standing ovation. Local movie lovers celebrated the luxurious joy of cinema with the opening of Johannesburg's newest VIP cinema destination at Nu Metro's deluxe new cinema at Bedford Centre. Don't miss this week's coverage of the glitz and glamour of the opening. For full interviews, breaking news, trailers and clips visit our Spotlight Facebook page. See you at the movies. Presenter Collette Prince is styled and dressed by Claris by Gerrit Pienaar when attending premieres and special events. Facebook @Claris by Gerrit Pienaar/Instagram: gerritpienaardesigns. Competition giveaways We have two giveaways this week. Answer a question to win an exclusive Lilo & Stitch movie merchandise hamper, or win an exclusive Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning key ring and movie tickets by answering a question. For full competition details and the questions, go to the Spotlight SA Facebook page and DM your answers and contact details by May 28. Terms and conditions apply. Winners will be drawn randomly and notified by SMS after the competition has closed. Entrants' personal details will not be retained for marketing purposes. Winners have to provide proof of age (ID/driving licence) and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. By entering, participants agree to have their names published on TimesLIVE, SowetanLIVE and Spotlight SA on Facebook. Employees of Arena Holdings and their family members are not eligible to enter.
