While it aims a couple of notches lower than the 2002 original, this retelling of Lilo and Stitch walks a fine balance, and ends up keeping enough of the charm intact to make this Disney’s best live action remake to date.
Lilo and Stitch was originally slated as a streaming exclusive, but after the meteoric success of the pre Snow White live action adaptations, not shipping this to cinemas would have been leaving money on the table. This is especially true given the status of Lilo and Stitch as one of the studio’s most beloved films. Yes, I’m aware that is nostalgia talking to some degree, but I’ve had a soft spot for that adorable blue alien since I was a kid. My family even got me one of the big plush toys from the Disney store for my sixteenth birthday, and I have it to this day.
What caught me off guard the most is just how much of a copy-paste the opening scene was from the original. This is made all the more blatant by Chris Sanders reprising his role as Stitch. He recaptures his cadences from the 2002 film so well it’s almost uncanny.
It’s impossible for me to divorce this movie from those memories even if I tried, and why would I want to? You might say that the film is obviously praying on that nostalgic connection. If it works, it won’t register as nostalgia bait; it will just register as a damn good movie. That’s what this is, albeit with a few speed bumps.
Sanders’ presence is definitely a net positive, considering Stitch is such a unique character in the voice department. He looks surprisingly good too, swapping out the smooth, scaly original design for something fluffier and more conventionally cute while preserving the essence of the character.
Much like most of these remakes, once we get deeper into the story, more creative liberties begin to be taken. Pleakly’s crossdressing is traded out for more gratuitous slapstick humour that will entertain the kids but offer little of value otherwise. Along with other minor story tweaks, some are more jarring than others.
Speaking of jarring, I don’t know what’s up with these Disney remakes and bizarre editing and cinematography. Mulan was the much bigger culprit, but it’s as if they’re going for this jaunty, off-the-wall feel with the chaotic zooms and clunky cuts. All it does is detract from an otherwise very polished product.
In truth, it doesn’t end up mattering that much. You’re certainly better off rewatching the original film. However, if you’re looking for a great day out at the movies, this is a close second.
