Tags: blog, film, family, 2025
Author: KickingK
Date: Friday August 29th, 2025
Also cute and fluffy!
How to discuss a remake of the Lilo & Stitch? I’m a big believer in the idea that remakes, reimaginings etc should be judged on their own terms. Ignore the past, that still exists, it’s still yours to own, focus on the new and judge it by today’s standards.
The problem here is that I just can’t do that. Lilo & Stitch is indelibly a part of my movie watching life and I can’t watch this new version with fresh eyes.
So, one of the highest pieces of praise I can say about this new version is that where they have made changes they’ve done so thoughtfully and with care.
The most obvious is the previous films biggest flaw: Jumba’s change of heart. It never made sense and always looked like the result of a rushed script. This absolutely fixes that problem and makes the film work for the modern age, where the powerful and exploitative are so firmly entrenched in their destructive path.
In fact Jumba and Pleakly are something of a triumph. There odd couple dynamic actually working a lot better as two out of sorts humans than it did in the original. Pleakly’s completely unreserved enthusiasm for life on earth is one of the highlights of the entire film, Billy Magnussen’s elastic face work overtime to wring every last drop out each joke.
The other biggest script change is focusing the story a lot more on Nani. Here, the switch to live action helps to focus on the drama of the family as whole. Nani is given her own story, with her own wants and needs, and has a bit more agency in this version. This works particularly well in the scenes with both Lilo and Nani. Both Maia Kealoha and Sydney Agudong are superb in their roles and their relationship is completely believable.
The downside is that the new realism highlights the original stories weaknesses. The tension between the family and their social worker was fine for an animation told from the point of view of Lilo. But when the film makes us feel like we’re looking at a real family with real issues of grief being worked through, having a simplistic plot about a social worker breaking the family up doesn’t fit anymore.1
There’s also a distinct flatness with the cinematography and music as well. Whereas the original had the most superbly painted backgrounds and landscapes, here we just get drone shots of Hawaii looking like any other tourist resort. It looks like a great place to stay but the original looked magical. And whilst Elvis is used much like he was last time, the film doesn’t hang its hat on it. Now it’s just some music for some of the scenes, rather than a good chunk of the films identity. It lacks flair, which isn’t something you should be saying about Elvis.
But, crucially, it still works. Like an OK cover of a truly great song, the story of Lilo & Stitch is, much like Stitch himself, bullet proof. This cover is very funny, pulls at the heart strings and is a good time from start to finish. Youngster going into the story for the first time will absolutely love it.
But if you have a choice for which one to show them first, stick with the original.
Poster Credit Where to Watch
1. Part of me wishes they'd leant into it. Ditched the crowd pleasing stuff about aliens with guns and instead made a kitchen sink drama with a magical realist Stitch. Basically, what I'm asking for is for Shane Meadows to adapt Skizz.
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Tags: blog, film, comedy, family, 2025
Author: KickingK
Date: Tuesday August 26th, 2025
A Bear of Very Considerable Heart
The title pretty much describes everything you need to know about this film. It’s Paddington and all the characters you’ve grown to love over the last two Paddington films, but on holiday in the jungle.
Once again, all those characters are intensely likeable. And once again, even (especially) the villains are thoroughly enjoyable, played with camp and freedom, getting their comeuppance in a suitably joyful manner.
It’s not just the characters that are lifted straight from the first two films. The cinematography has a great eye for a good shot, but also tells its story coherently, even (especially) when the slapstick starts to snowball.
The meticulous plotting is back. Just about everything is either a set up or a pay-off, it all clicks together satisfyingly, like a really good Lego set.
The laughs are evenly paced throughout the film and it’s never, ever boring, not for a minute. And it’s pro-immigration message couldn’t be more welcome and well received than right now.
What it doesn’t quite bring from the first two films is that little bit of magic they both had, that extra special sparkle. To a certain extent it doesn’t need to. The warm afterglow from Paddington 2 is so great that it envelopes this entire film like a big bear hug. You want to love this film, maybe a bit more than it deserves.
So whilst this is fun and enjoyable enough on its own terms, it only feels like an encore to Paddington 2. But who doesn’t want that?
Poster Credit Where to Watch
Tags: blog, film, family, 2024
Author: KickingK
Date: Tuesday June 11th, 2024
Ompéi, Lýkos!
Shot on 16mm film for maximum nostalgia, this is an intentional throwback to the 70’s and 80’s. The most obvious reference point will be The Goonies but it reminded me the most of The Children’s Film Foundation. Low budget films made for children, usually starring children.
This has charm and enthusiasm in spades and is surprisingly rich in its themes. Managing to weave fantasy elements into the story, turning a search for an egg into an epic, high-fantasy quest. It even has a witch.
Another plus point is that, despite its nostalgia, it isn’t trying to lionise the past at the expense of the present. The kids have mobile phones and play with them like kids do. The whole motivation for their quest is they want to play their brand new games console but their mum won’t let them.
A console that they’ve stolen. These kids aren’t angelic, they’re just the right amount of little devils, which makes them hugely engaging.
Sadly, the film is too long and drags quite a bit. I can see why, many of the films best bits are the unnecessary scenes. An extended dance sequence is a highlight. It’s a shame as I think it’s a difficult sell as a kids film, it lacks excitement. And for kids who won’t appreciate the nostalgia, I don’t think it’ll work.