“Marcel the Shell with Sneakers On” director Dean Fleischer Camp has hit the mouse home with a frolicking, enjoyable reimagined live-action Lilo & Sew based mostly on the beloved animation franchise steeped in Hawaiian tradition.
As well as, the wonderful consideration to element, honoring the language, music and folks of the island, this movie focuses on when worry dictates how one is handled and/or misunderstood.
My coronary heart shattered in 1,000,000 items watching Lilo (fantabulously performed by newcomer Mai Kealoha) get bullied proper earlier than her huge recital. It’s a sense that hit particularly laborious whereas recalling my early childhood as slightly Black lady residing on the island of Kailua in Hawaii.
Kealoha actually steals each scene she inhabits signaling an excellent cinematic future on the horizon. Her comedic timing and chemistry with each character ia joyous to behold. She reminds audiences of how particular it’s to have a pet who loves unconditionally whereas bieng one’s finest good friend is invaluable.
Whereas some roles have been performed by actors of Hawaiian descent, the forged is just not fully Hawaiian. Sydney Agudong (Nani) is of blended heritage, together with Filipino and white. The casting of Nani, significantly her pores and skin tone, has sparked some controversy and dialogue about illustration, with some arguing {that a} darker-skinned Native Hawaiian actor ought to have been chosen. Regardless, Agudong’s engagingly heartfelt efficiency will make audeinces concentrate on the efficiency as an alternative of her blended heritage.
Having mentioned that, one of many greatest variations one may uncover with this live-action remake is Cobra Bubbles in now two completely different characters, a federal agent named Cobra (Courtney B. Vance), and a social employee named Mrs. Kekoa (Tia Carrere). Paradoxically Carrere was the voice of Nani within the animated movie model.
Understanding Disney has struggled with these dwell motion movies as of late (Snow White, Mufasa), Lilo & Sew is hilarious, heartbreaking and at is core Hawaiian tradition at its finest shrouded in a Disney live-action remake future generations will get pleasure from for many years.
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