Newcomer Maia Kealoha Steals Show in Live Action Lilo & Stitch

“Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” director Dean Fleischer Camp has hit the mouse house with a frolicking, fun reimagined live-action Lilo & Stitch based on the beloved animation franchise steeped in Hawaiian culture.

In addition, the amazing attention to detail, honoring the language, music and people of the island, this film focuses on when fear dictates how one is treated and/or misunderstood.

My heart shattered in a million pieces watching Lilo (fantabulously played by newcomer Mai Kealoha) get bullied right before her big recital.  It’s a feeling that hit especially hard while recalling my early childhood as a little Black girl living on the island of Kailua in Hawaii.

Kealoha literally steals every scene she inhabits signaling a brilliant cinematic future on the horizon.  Her comedic timing and chemistry with every character ia joyous to behold. She reminds audiences of how special it is to have a pet who loves unconditionally while bieng one’s best friend is invaluable.

While some roles were played by actors of Hawaiian descent, the cast is not entirely Hawaiian.  Sydney Agudong (Nani) is of mixed heritage, including Filipino and white.  The casting of Nani, particularly her skin tone, has sparked some controversy and discussion about representation, with some arguing that a darker-skinned Native Hawaiian actor should have been chosen. Regardless, Agudong’s engagingly heartfelt performance will make audeinces focus on the performance instead of her mixed heritage.

Having said that, one of the biggest differences one might discover with this live-action remake is Cobra Bubbles in now two different characters, a federal agent named Cobra (Courtney B. Vance), and a social worker named Mrs. Kekoa (Tia Carrere).  Ironically Carrere was the voice of Nani in the animated film version.

Knowing Disney has struggled with these live action films as of late (Snow White, Mufasa), Lilo & Stitch is hilarious, heartbreaking and at is core Hawaiian culture at its best shrouded in a Disney live-action remake future generations will enjoy for decades.