On opening day, I brought seven tweens along to see Disney’s latest live-action adaptation, Lilo & Stitch. What unfolded was an afternoon filled with laughter, tears, and an undeniable sense of ohana — family.
The film, directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (Marcel the Shell With Shoes On), retells the beloved story of Lilo (Maia Kealoha), a young girl navigating life in Hawaii after the loss of her parents. Raised by her older sister Nani (Sydney Agudong), Lilo finds companionship in Stitch, a genetically engineered alien voiced by Chris Sanders, who becomes an unexpected but heartfelt part of their family.
Our group included seven children aged 9 to 10, along with four adults, gathered at a dine-in cinema to experience the film together. The children arrived decked out in themed merchandise—Stitch plush toys, Pez dispensers, and handmade pouches—underscoring the affection this story holds for young fans.
The screening featured themed concessions, including “Galactic Popcorn” topped with blue M&Ms and an “Aloha Blue Breeze” mocktail, blending lemonade and nonalcoholic blue curaçao. The brightly glowing ice cubes added a whimsical touch, albeit one that cast a blue hue across the theater.
As anticipated, the film tugged at viewers’ heartstrings. While the audience was familiar with Disney’s signature narrative of orphaned protagonists, Lilo & Stitch delivered emotionally charged moments that resonated deeply. A particularly suspenseful near-drowning scene and the looming threat of social services intervention added tension to the story’s core theme: that family means nobody gets left behind.
One poignant moment came when my daughter, seated beside me, reached for my hand—a gesture made all the more touching in the theater’s dim light—and shed tears, marking her first emotional response to a film. Similarly, one adult companion remained visibly moved well after the credits, which themselves featured several rewarding Easter eggs.
The children found humor in the film’s irreverent moments, with fart and burp jokes earning the biggest laughs. Stitch’s antics—his fondness for cake and quirky thirst for “lava lamp juice”—also delighted the younger viewers. Meanwhile, fans appreciated the continuity of voice actors from the original 2002 animated film, underscoring the filmmakers’ respectful nod to nostalgia.
Musically, the soundtrack remained anchored in Elvis Presley classics, much to the delight of the audience, blending timeless hits with a contemporary cinematic experience. Scenes showcasing Hawaii’s natural beauty provided a vivid backdrop, offering viewers a temporary escape to paradise, tempered by the realistic challenges faced by the characters.
Post-film conversations among the tweens revealed an insightful commentary on Disney tropes—particularly the recurring absence of mothers in these stories—and the varied appearances of early princess characters. The shared experience fostered empathy and emotional openness, exemplified by discussions about grief and family bonds.
Looking ahead, the group expressed enthusiasm for upcoming sequels such as Zootopia 2 and Bad Guys 2, highlighting a sustained engagement with family-friendly franchises.
Overall, Lilo & Stitch succeeded in delivering a heartfelt, humorous, and visually vibrant film experience that appealed equally to children and adults alike, affirming the enduring power of this ohana story.
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