Hello Readers,
I saw Lilo & Stitch on May 22nd, and I’ve been
sitting with my thoughts ever since. Ever since the trailer dropped, people
have had a lot to say and not all of it was positive. By the time I watched it
(a day after its UK release), I'd already seen my fair share of negative
reviews. But honestly? I think I’m in the minority: I didn’t think it was a bad
film.
In fact, I really enjoyed it. Yes, there were a few
creative choices I questioned, but and I hate to say this sometimes it’s just
not that deep. Maybe it’s because I’ve been reading a lot of retellings lately,
but this version felt less like a copy of the original and more like a
heartfelt reinterpretation. And that worked, beautifully. In some ways, the
characters we loved in the original have even more depth here. The film adds
layers without losing the heart of the story. I don’t own the rights to the poster image (used here
under Fair Use for review purposes, as per sections 29 and 30 of the Copyright
Act).
And now, before I go any further: this is your spoiler
warning.
We’re diving right in: I've seen a lot of complaints
about the film "changing the meaning of Ohana." But the film still
emphasizes that Ohana means family and that family means no one gets left
behind or forgotten. Hear me out: Nani doesn’t abandon Lilo.
Let’s put this into perspective. Nani is only 18. She’s
lost her parents and is doing everything she can to care for her little sister.
She gave up her dream of studying marine biology and is already at rock bottom
when she loses her job. For those upset about changes in the story… How exactly
is she supposed to cope?
There’s a beautiful moment between Nani and Tutu, where
Nani worries, she’s breaking up the Ohana. Tutu gently reminds her that Ohana
also means not leaving yourself behind, even when you make sacrifices for those
you love. It’s a powerful message: to truly care for others, you must also care
for yourself too.
Nani didn’t walk away from Lilo. She made the incredibly
tough choice to give Lilo a stable life with their neighbour for a couple of
years while she pursued an education so they could build a better future
together.
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room or should I say, the whale. Captain Gantu
isn’t in this movie. And honestly? I’m not even mad about it. Can you imagine
what a live-action Captain Gantu would even look like? It could have easily
gone full nightmare fuel. But the story still works without him. His absence
doesn’t take away from the heart of the film it just tells it in a different
way. Speaking of which…
Jumba taking on more of a villain role in this version. I
think it’s a smart move and a more
believable arc. Don’t get me wrong, I love the original film. But Jumba going
from mad scientist to quirky uncle almost instantly always felt a bit too
convenient. In this version, the door’s wide open for a follow-up story.
I have to say, I absolutely love Billy Magnussen as
Pleakley. For me, he was the perfect fit bringing the character to life without
tipping into overly slapstick territory. Sure, part of me was a little bummed
we didn’t get the classic Pleakley in a-dress moment, but honestly, that’s more
about nostalgia than the role itself. It doesn’t take away from how well he
plays the part.
The original Lilo & Stitch means a lot to people. It
means a lot to me too. But I don’t think this new version ruins anything. If
anything, it adds to the story’s legacy. It gives new fans a chance to connect,
and long time fans a chance to see it all from a different perspective. It's
okay if it's not perfect but it is heartfelt. And maybe that’s enough. Because
at the end of the day to quote Stitch " It's little, and broken, but still
good. Yeah. Still good,".
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