Lilo & Stitch (2025)
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Lilo & Stitch is a 2025 American science fiction comedy film created by Walt Disney Pictures and Rideback, and it is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, this film serves as a live-action/animated remake of Disney's 2002 traditionally animated feature Lilo & Stitch, incorporating elements from the animated sequel films and television shows associated with that original film. The cast includes Maia Kealoha, making her film debut as Lilo Pelekai, alongside original Lilo & Stitch writer-director Chris Sanders, who reprises his voice role as Stitch. The supporting cast features Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Hannah Waddingham, Courtney B. Vance, Zach Galifianakis, as well as original cast members Amy Hill, Tia Carrere, and Jason Scott Lee in various supporting roles.
Plot
[edit | edit source]On the planet Turo, Dr. Jumba Jookiba faces conviction by the United Galactic Federation for conducting illegal genetic experiments, resulting in the creation of an aggressive, nearly indestructible creature with advanced learning abilities known as Experiment 626. While Jumba is incarcerated, 626 is exiled due to his destructive tendencies. Nevertheless, 626 manages to escape by commandeering a police cruiser and utilizing its hyperdrive to travel to Earth, ultimately crashing on Kaua'i. The Grand Councilwoman offers Jumba his freedom contingent upon his successful recapture of 626, assigning him to work alongside Earth specialist, Agent Pleakley. 626 crashes in proximity to a wedding reception and is subsequently run over by a tourist trolley before being taken to an animal shelter. A Hawaiian girl named Lilo Pelekai is expelled from hula school after she pushes her bully Mertle off the stage, driven by frustration over her sister Nani's absence. Their social worker, Mrs. Kekoa, pays a visit and determines that Nani is unfit to care for them, insisting that she complete her responsibilities within a week. The following day, upon learning that Lilo desires a friend, their neighbor Tūtū takes Lilo to the animal shelter where 626 is housed. Aware that Jumba and Pleakley are pursuing him, 626 disguises himself as a dog and permits Lilo to adopt him for his own safety. Nani then takes them to her job at a resort lūʻau alongside her friend David Kawena. Lilo names 626 "Stitch" after Nani remarks on the need to stitch a car seat that he has torn. They enjoy their time at the resort, but Stitch inadvertently causes a fire at a table, resulting in Nani's termination. The next morning, Kekoa and Bubbles arrive to discover that Lilo is missing, prompting them and Nani to initiate a search for her. Lilo encounters Stitch at the shelter, but Jumba arrives in an attempt to recapture Stitch. They flee to the Pelekais' residence and engage in a confrontation with Jumba, leading to the destruction of their home. During the altercation, Jumba discloses that Stitch had been using Lilo for his own protection, which causes Stitch to feel guilt and ultimately surrender.
Cast
[edit | edit source]- Maia Kealoha as Lilo Pelekai,
- Chris Sanders as the voice of Stitch
- Sydney Elizebeth Agudong as Nani Pelekai
- Galifianakis also physically portrays Jumba's human disguise.
- Billy Magnussen as the voice of Agent Wendell Pleakley
- Courtney B. Vance as Cobra Bubbles
- Amy Hill as Tūtū
- Tia Carrere as Mrs. Kekoa
- Kaipo Dudoit as David Kawena
- Hannah Waddingham as the voice of the Grand Councilwoman
- Jason Scott Lee as the manager for the Lū'au Nani
- Emery Hookano-Briel as Mertle Edmonds
Trailer
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