By this point, we’ve seen dozens of live action re-makes from Disney. It seems no animated film is safe from getting a new look. This year alone we’ve already seen Snow White, which earned a middling reception, and now we’re on to Lilo & Stitch. This film got a prime Memorial Day Weekend spot, but is it worth the hype?

The film follows experiment 626, who comes to be known as Stitch (Chris Sanders) on Earth, as he goes on an adventure. He’s been sentenced to exile, and instead escapes. He’s got great skills but also a wild personality that helps get him into trouble. He also struggles with water, which makes his crash-landing on a Hawaiian island less than ideal.

Hot on his trail are a pair of wranglers that are tasked with finding him and bringing him back. One is Jumba (Zach Galifianakis), the scientist who created 626. He has his own sneaky plans once reunited. He’s paired with Pleakey (Billy Magnussen), an Earth expert and loyal employee of the Grand Councilwoman (Hannah Waddingham). He’s interested in experiencing Earth, while trying to recapture 626 and keep a low-profile. Neither goal goes as planned.

After wreaking havoc at a wedding, 626 ends up at an animal shelter. There, he encounters Lilo (Maia Kealoha), a young girl in need of a friend. She takes him home despite the unease of her sister Nani (Sydney Agudong), who has become her caretaker after the death of their parents. Nani is doing her best, delaying her dreams, but their family hanging by a thread. The addition of 626—christened Stitch after a few incidents with the family—doesn’t make it any easier.

If you’ve seen the animated film, you know in general where this is going. Sanders, who voices Stitch in this film was the voice of Stitch in the animated film and a co-director. He’s obviously quite fun in the role with some tender moments, too. That includes the iconic closing line about family, which hits just as hard in this version.

The integration of animated/CGI features and live action is a credit to director Dean Fleischer Camp, who has some experience with this style. He previously worked on Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, and brings the same level of fun, laughter, and heart to this production. It works together well and creates a heck of a fun ride.

I really enjoyed Kealoha and Agudong in these roles. They have a great chemistry together and they are at the heart of the film. I liked the supporting cast here, too, and the way this film works in some of the voice actors from the original film—including Tia Carrere, Amy Hill, and Jason Scott Lee—and nice nods to that film.

Since the summer season began it’s been mostly horror and action. This is the first big family release of the season and it’s worth the wait. This will please audiences of all ages. It’s a fun re-make that surpasses the original. Go check it out.

Lilo & Stitch is now playing nationwide.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.