Lilo & Stitch (2025)

A live-action remake of the modern Disney classic upgrades Stitch from a lovable 2D character into a 3D CG model. Something gets lost in translation, because all the charm is missing and it feels like the soul has been ripped out of it. I thought the relationship and chemistry between Lilo and her sister Nani was handled well, but the rest of it feels ham-fisted and shoehorned in. In the end, it's just another substandard remake, made to bleed the IP dry for a new generation who can't be bothered to watch movies older than 20 years old.

2 kuleana out of 5

Lilo & Stitch (2002)

An alien monster known as Experiment 626 escapes from his lab and hops a ship to Earth where he crash lands on the island of Kaua'i. He encounters lonely outcast Lilo who adopts the newly christened 'Stitch,' passing himself off as an intelligent dog-like creature while being pursued by the aliens in disguise. As two misfit halves of the same coin, they complement each other perfectly. The film is made charming by the colorful Hawaiian flavors and catchy soundtrack filled with original tunes and classic Elvis Presley songs.

Spawned three sequels, a television series and an (ugh) live-action remake.

3½ ʻohana out of 5

The Wild Robot (2024)

Instantly bringing to mind the likes of The Iron Giant, WALL·E and Big Hero 6, a helpful protocol droid named Roz (Lupita Nyong'o) washes up on the shores of an uninhabited island. Without any humans to fulfill its design, Roz uses its advanced AI processes to translate the language of the woodland animals, as a newly hatched gosling "imprints" upon it and gives Roz newfound purpose. This uplifting family film looks gorgeous (it's CG, but almost has a traditional hand-painted quality), and its intention is in the right place, despite the familiarity of the plot.

3 broken transponders out of 5

THE CROODS [2013]

How To Train Your Dragon director/screenwriter Chris Sanders & Kirk DeMicco crank up the fun in the CGI animated comedy The Croods.

Aided by some great voicework (particularly Ryan Reynolds hilariously perfecting smug bastard), some colorful heart-racing action scenes and composer Alan Silvestri doing his best work since The Mummy Returns, the film is light on substance but high on fast-paced entertainment.  The first 15 minutes might be a little too boring but I think it's intentional to polarize the ride you're taken on afterwards.  It's really goofy but the heart of the story wins you over with laughs and action.

3½ mother-in-laws out of 5 

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON [2010]

Loosely based on the children's novels by Cressida Cowell, Dreamwork's animated How To Train Your Dragon soars far higher than their previous efforts.

With a fantastic combination of heart and humor Dragon flys high with bright colors, characters and some truly breathtaking flight scenes.  It suffers from a few minor bumps in the road but manages to stick close to the heart of the story.

Highly recommended for anyone who's ever fallen in love with a pet. 

4 "Fish heads. Fish heads. Eat them up. Yum" out of 5