Walt Disney Pictures and Rideback’s Lilo & Stitch (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; partly animation) is the story of a lonely six-year-old girl who adopts a dog-like alien.
Lilo (Maia Kealoha) is a six-year-old orphan who is lonely. She lives with her elder sister, Nani (Sydney Elizebeth Agudong). Lilo adopts a dog-like alien, Stitch, unaware that it is genetically engineered to be a force of destruction. Lilo is also not aware that Stitch is being pursued by aliens and social workers. Lilo teaches Stitch family values and is very happy in its company. But soon, Grand Councilwoman, the grey alien leader of the United Galactic Federation, comes to Earth to fetch Stitch. The Grand Councilwoman had actually sent Dr. Jumba Jookiba (the Kweltikwan mad scientist who created Stitch) and Agent Pleakley (a Plorgonarian agent of the United Galactic Federation) to get Stitch back but they had failed in their mission. What happens after the Grand Councilwoman reaches Earth?
Based on Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois’ Lilo & Stitch (2002), the film has a cute story but one which will appeal to kids only. Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes’ screenplay is fairly engaging but it is also quite contrived. Besides, it gets repetitive after a point of time.
Maia Kealoha shines as Lilo. Sydney Elizebeth Agudong acts ably as Nani. Courtney B. Vance is okay as federal agent Cobra Bubbles. Kaipo Dudoit has good screen presence and acts well as David Kawena. Tia Carrere is natural in the role of Mrs. Kekoa. Amy Hill is endearing as Tutu. The voice acting of the animated characters is fair.
Dean Fleischer Camp’s direction is okay. Dan Romer’s background music is alright. Nigel Bluck’s cinematography is of a fine standard. Todd Cherniawsky’s production designing is appropriate. Editing (Adam Gerstel and Phillip J. Bartell) could’ve been sharper. Dubbing is quite nice.
On the whole, Lilo & Stitch is too ordinary to do much at the ticket windows.
Released on 23-5-’25 at Gemini (daily 2 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay by Star India Pvt. Ltd. Publicity & opening: poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was dull everywhere.