‘Lilo and Stitch’ in stunning 4K Ultra HD
Category: Blu-ray's and DVD's
Finally the beauty of this popular Disney film has been released in stunning 4K Ultra HD which highlights the colors and sound of the story of one little girl and one alien experiment who became “Ohana.” Fans of this emotional and adorable story of Lilo and Stitch can now enjoy it in all its splendor, just like popping into the film itself.
All of the characters are memorable, but none as much as little Lilo who lost her parents and is living with her older sister Nani. While Nani does her best, it’s not good enough and little Lilo is set to be taken away to foster care. But as we all know, that doesn’t happen!
Up in space Jumba is inventing experiments to do a variety of things, and his latest, 626, is causing havoc amongst the council. He is incarcerated but manages to steal a spaceship and eventually crash lands on Kauai, which happens to be the island where Lilo lives.
The story continues with Lilo going to the dog pound and adopting her new “puppy” who really isn’t a puppy after all, but is in fact 626. She names him Stitch and soon the two are becoming best buddies. But the United Galactic Federation Grand Councilwoman has sent Jumba and member of the Galactic Federation Pleakley to recover 626 and bring him back to their planet.
While avoiding and evading his hunters, Stitch tries his best to fit in, with the help of Lilo. She tells him that Elvis (whom she idolizes) was a great example and he should follow him. Lilo is a bit quirky, but in her heart she is very lovable and just wants to be loved. She takes peanut butter sandwiches to Pudge the fish every Thursday. Why? Because Pudge controls the weather!
Lilo is a good girl and does her best but things don’t work out for her or Nani. However all’s well that ends well when the Grand Councilwoman comes to retrieve 626 and he tells her he found his Ohana. Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten. This sways and touches her and ultimately allows 626 to stay on Earth, with the caveat that Jumba and Pleakly look after the family.
Bonus Features (Bonus materials vary by format and retailer)
In one feature there is a brief Hula Lesson which explains the four basic steps (traveler step, hip sway, leg extension, and a combination) and viewers can follow along to learn a little hula. Hula has been passed from generation to generation. It’s a living record and is described as a “dance of the heart.”
Another feature looks at how the filmmakers animated the hula scenes in the film. They knew the significance of the hula to the Hawaiian culture and wanted to honor it, portray it realistically with respect and accuracy. To do that they filmed an entire day of Hula in a Halau (Hula school) and made sure they put all the movements on paper – by hand.
Another feature is a travel log of the Hawaiian Islands narrated by Nani and Lilo. Viewers see scenes from the big island of Hawai’i and learn about volcanos and lava flows. They then travel to O’ahu to learn about surfing and its history. On Maui viewers get the lowdown on leis and Luaus which celebrates life with food, music, and dance. Kaua’i is the most tropical island with plenty of rain and spectacular waterfalls. Lana’i used to have pineapple plantations but no longer. However, the warm waters there attract migrating whales. And Moloka’i has a small population but a long history.
While viewers see and learn about these islands, the history of Hawaii is also touched on by Nani with a little input from Lilo. (No, Lilo, it wasn’t Captain Hook who discovered the islands – it was Captain Cook!)
Two music videos and a behind-the-scenes featurette with Wynona who sings Elvis’ “Burning Love” in the film.
There is an adorable animated featurette, “A Stitch in Time: Stitch Through the Years,” that looks at how this little fellow tried to insert himself into various Disney films, acted as an extra in some films, and helped out around the studio before finally getting his own film.
And there are four Inter-Stitch-ials which were trailers for Lilo and Stitch inserting Stitch into Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King.
Lilo and Stitch 4K
This new edition makes the animation pop. It’s beautiful with the heartwarming story of Lilo and Stitch. The bonus features are included on the Blu-ray disc, which comes along with the 4K disc.
The characters were so popular there was a TV series highlighting Lilo and Stitch finding the perfect places for all of his “cousins.” After all, there were 625 experiments before him. Plus, there were some additional movies with Lilo and Stitch with plenty of antics and a lot of love for this Ohana.
With the live-action version of the film coming to theaters on May 23, 2025, this is the perfect time to revisit the original 2002 movie as it was initially envisioned.
Lilo and Stitch on 4K Blu-ray (with Digital Code) is available on May 6, 2025.
Aloha!
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.
All images supplied courtesy Disney Home Entertainment