Live-Action ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Is No ‘Snow White’

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The recent Disney live-action adaptation of “Lilo & Stitch” generally succeeds, but it falls short compared to the more emotionally profound original version.

Much like recent Disney reboots, it adheres closely to the original movie, replicating key moments and reproducing famous visuals.

I’ve consistently admired Lilo’s tale about searching for a friend who shares her unconventional spirit and longing for a family, but I’ve never shown interest in any of the extraterrestrial elements. Regardless, the fundamental premise remains similar: Stitch is an unruly experiment from a space scientist.

It’s uncovered that Stitch is invincible, poses a significant threat, and is marked for elimination. Instead of enduring red tape, Stitch wrecks the premises and flees to Earth.

The portrayal of Lilo, her sister Nani, and their challenging situation remains authentic and tugs at one’s heartstrings effectively. However, transforming this story into a live-action film introduces odd shifts in tone – the contrast between the comical aliens and the human characters, who are now real people, was more seamless when they were animated.

Transitioning from a Child Protective Services visit at Lilo and Nani’s home, to intergalactic antics, then back to Nani at work, followed by the zany alien bounty hunters, gives the impression of abruptly changing between two completely unrelated stories. It’s as if you flipped through TV channels to watch two contrasting films.

The Lost Empire” (also released in 2001), the release of “Lilo & Stitch” was a pleasant and unexpected change.

It’s among the best animated films ever made at the Mouse House.

In my opinion, “Lilo & Stitch,” with its depiction of two Hawaiian sisters navigating life as a family in present-day Hawaii, is one of the rare movies that truly represents contemporary Hawaiians without resorting to stereotypes. And let me tell you, it’s one of the recent Disney animations that never fails to bring tears to my eyes each time I watch it.

Although I remained dry-eyed during the latest “Lilo & Stitch”, I found that its most impactful moments resonated with me due to my strong faith in the cute, blue extraterrestrial character.

Occasionally, certain sequences seem completely developed, whereas others give the impression that key parts were trimmed short in the editing process. Should a longer version of the film ever surface, I’d be eager to watch it, as it feels like some scenes might have been significantly reduced to maintain pace.

Among the new arrivals, Maia Kealoha bears a charming resemblance to Lilo, yet it’s Sydney Elizabeth Agudong who truly shines and delivers a standout performance as Nani in the film.

In terms of the latest additions, Maia Kealoha is quite adorable like Lilo, but it’s Sydney Elizabeth Agudong who steals the show with her remarkable portrayal of Nani.

It’s delightful to witness Tia Carrere, a versatile actress, shining in a thoughtfully crafted supporting part on screen. The movie paid a fitting homage to Carrere, who lent her voice to Nani in the initial film and series. However, it seems they missed an opportunity by bringing back Jason Scott Lee, a notable figure from the original cast, and underutilizing him by giving him a minor role.

Cobra Bubbles is an incredibly amusing character, and Courtney B. Vance does an excellent job in portraying him. However, Ving Rhames’ initial interpretation of the character remains unmatched in terms of comedy.

As a devoted fan, I must admit that I found myself yearning for more of Scott Lee in the recent “Lilo & Stitch” sequel, but unfortunately, it seemed to overload us with Zach Galifianakis instead. In this reboot, both Galifianakis and his screen partner Billy Magnussen, who portray alien characters now disguised as humans, fell short of expectations for me.

One scene from the original movie that I particularly cherish seems to be missing – the one where Lilo’s homemade doll, “Scrump,” is ridiculed by others, left on the street, and then Lilo runs back to it, giving it a heartfelt hug. That child’s resilience and love for her creation really resonate with me.

Lilo exhibits some peculiar, authentic, yet occasionally exasperating behavior. The unique aspect of her cohabiting with her sister Nani, who’s navigating her own challenges, is what makes both the original and remake stand out. I find the alien antics and Elvis musical interludes unnecessary.

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The special effects are outstanding, making it appear as if Stitch truly exists within our three-dimensional world. Watching him ride a surfboard feels surreal, thanks to the masterful work of the team at Industrial Light & Magic who’ve crafted the character with an astonishing level of photographic realism.

In these scenes, it’s heartwarming to see how well Stitch, portrayed through special effects, interacts with the live actors. The movie often depicts Stitch acting like an unruly creature reminiscent of a Gremlin, but when it comes to conveying the message that we are all on our own journeys of growth, those tender moments resonate deeply and effectively.

Instead of enumerating all the Disney live-action remakes that didn’t resonate, let me share a few favorites: “Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book” (1994), “Maleficent” (2014), “Cinderella” (2015), “The Jungle Book” (2016) and this particular one.

Two and a Half Stars

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2025-05-22 16:03