Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Lilo & Stitch review says this is one of the best, least gratuitous live action versions of a Disney classic yet.

In general, I’m not a big fan of the live action remakes of Disney classic animated films. Not that they’re poorly made movies, it’s just that they seem like such callous money grabs. Why mess with perfection?

But, surprisingly enough, this version of Lilo and Stitch really works. Quite true to the original animated story, this feels smaller and more intimate than most of the other live action remakes.

That could be attributed to the fact that the live action Lilo & Stitch is not tarted up with all new trendy songs and big production numbers. The story flows organically, without being interrupted by dazzling CGI musical montages. We stay right with the characters and their foibles—even those of the aliens, who help to add novelty and comic relief.

But the sweet intimacy could also be attributed to the thoughtful yet whimsical touch of director Dean Fleischer-Camp, most recently responsible for the quiet epic Marcel the Shell With Shoes On, one of my all time favorite animated films.

Lilo & Stitch review — familiar plot with a twist

This version follows the original storyline of the animated version pretty closely. Lilo (revelatory young Maia Kealoha) and her 19-year-old sister Nina (freshly sublime Sydney Agudong) have been orphaned—which is a given in so many Disney films.

Here we find strong willed, six-year-old Lilo  is a bit of a handful for Nina, who is trying to play breadwinner, mom and sibling, all at the same time. When along comes wild child runaway alien Stitch to team up with Lilo as a much needed bestie,  all hell breaks loose in their friendly little Hawaiian community.

The story gets even more complicated with an avid social worker just trying to do her job (Tia Carrere), and other aliens (Zack Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen) coming to earth to find the wayward Stitch.

Some viewers will doubtless be upset by the fact that the ending varies from the original, but I find it infinitely more satisfying. Every one wins when the chosen family works together.

After all, the film is all about “ohana,” or “family,” that can come in all forms, species, shapes and sizes. It’s really quite lovely, has a fantastic cast, many of them newcomers who have big things in their futures.

Rated PG

1 Hour 48 Minutes

If this Lilo & Stitch review encourages you to saunter to the cineplex for a sweet island treat, find times and tickets in advance at Fandango.

Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Lilo & Stitch review says this is one of the best, least gratuitous live action versions of a Disney classic yet.