The live-action remake of Lilo and Stitch is set to arrive in theaters worldwide later this week, to the excitement of fans who have been looking forward to its release.
Considering the mixed reception to the recent Disney live-action remake releases, there have been questions about whether Lilo and Stitch will be on the right track or it will end up being a disappointment.
Fortunately, the early social media reactions from critics, pundits, and influencers who watched the early screenings have arrived, and based on what we've seen so far, it looks like it delivered the hype.
Here are the five reasons why the Lilo and Stitch live-action remake is worth watching, according to the early reactions.
One of the Best Disney Live-Action Remakes
Some of the early reactions have already hailed Lilo and Stitch as one of the best (if not the best) Disney live-action remakes to date, and faithful to the original source material.
While the bar might not be high for this type of film, it's still an impressive reception, and it is a promising sign for its box office performance once it arrives in theaters.
Maia Kealoha and Sydney Agudong Receive Praises
Maia Kealoha (Lilo) and Sydney Agudong (Nani) have received a considerable amount of praise from the early reactions so far. They are being called the standout among the cast.
This film is a great introduction for the actresses to the worldwide audiences and showcases why they are the talents to watch out for. Considering how crucial their characters are, it's important that they can carry the film alongside the CGI Stitch.
Maintains the Original Movie's Emotional Core
For fans of the original, it might be important for the live-action remake to maintain the emotional core and the message of the importance of "ohana" in our lives.
Fortunately, the early social media reactions indicated that the remake managed to do that, and fans won't likely be disappointed by the modern take on the beloved Disney animated classic.
Family Movie of the Year
Lilo and Stitch is being hailed as the family movie of the year, which is high praise considering that there are a lot of films in the genre that are releasing in 2025.
While it remains to be seen whether it is indeed going to be the "family of the year" by the end of 2025, we can safely say that this will be appealing among the family audiences, and the "ohana" message will resonate with them.
Stitch Rules (Again)
As we expected, the CGI Stitch is getting praises in the early reactions. Specifically, they highlighted how the film managed to do a successful recreation of CGI Stitch in the live-action space and make him a character that audiences root for.
You can argue that the film will not work without him, and, fortunately, it looks like the filmmakers managed to make him an effective CGI character. If nothing else, he is the reason why the film might be worth watching.
Disney has also smartly made him the center of the marketing campaign, as they released animatronics of Stitch in various theaters. It won't be surprising if we see a resurgence of his popularity throughout the summer season.
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