If you've been following Disney within the past decade, you'll know all about the stigma that follows the phrase "Disney live-action remake." Even as I write this, I can feel the chorus of groans and eye-rolls. Regardless, even a character as iconic and beloved as Stitch isn't immune from the inevitable shift to CGI. That said, how does this "new" version stand?
If we're being honest, Disney's decision to revitalize one of its most marketable characters since Winnie the Pooh is likely damage control after Rachel Zegler's Snow White debacle, but can Stitch wash away the bad taste with some sun, surf, and sci-fi antics? Here's what this writer has to say about his jump to live-action.
First impressions
Let's get one thing absolutely clear: this is 100% not your typical Disney remake. Director Dean Fleischer-Camp might have been an unusual choice at first, but the way he retells the story of Lilo and her extraterrestrial buddy with a more semi-realistic approach is something completely unique.
Although some critics might be divided, one thing that can't be denied is how beautiful the movie looks. Because the only CGI elements are Stitch and the rest of the appropriately used sci-fi elements, the islands of Hawaii are an absolute visual feast.
Speaking of visuals, we have to talk about how shockingly well Stitch transitioned into a fully rendered CGI figure. Disney undeniably took the most delicate care when adapting Stitch to live-action, and it shows. Of course, anything after Snow White's CGI dwarves is like a breath of fresh air, but I digress. Getting the obvious points out of the way, let's truly unpack this film.
The good
As someone who has been a dedicated Stitch fan for nearly two decades, I went into this film with an open, but cautious, mind. From what I had previously seen in the trailers, my hopes were certainly higher than planned. I went in expecting something akin to 101 Dalmatians from 1996, a familiar Disney story with some modern additions, and that's not an unfair comparisson.
If you saw the 2002 original animated feature, you pretty much know the essential story beats for this film. However, Fleisher-Camp has updated the story to incorporate some modern cultural elements, especially in the film's Hawaiian setting.
The remake is a modern retelling of the original animated story, but with some interesting new additions. Stitch, an illegal genetic experiment created by Dr. Jumba Jookiba (Zack Galifianakis) escapes his enclosure and steals a spacecraft before warping on a collision course with Hawaii. There, he is adopted by Lilo (Maia Kealoha) and her sister Nani (Sydney Agudong) while avoiding capture.
The alien elements of the film are very well-animated, and fans of the original will know every reference and redesign. The Grand Councilwoman (Hannah Waddingham) and her entourage all look realistic and carry enough presence to establish believability... save for one (more on that later).
Contrarywise, the human cast comes with a surprising amount of depth and realism. It was to the point that I started questioning whether or not I was actually watching a Disney movie.
Sydney Agudong plays Nani with palpable strength that cannot be ignored. She knows she's in over her head with the very rambunctious Lilo and her alien pal, and the audience feels every ounce of her emotion. It's a performance that is only rivaled by her on-screen sister, Maia Kealoha.
In this writer's opinion, you couldn't find a more accurate actress for a live-action Lilo if you tried. Kealoha is perfect for the part, but she adds an unexpeced amount of reality to her character as well. If you've ever met an excitable 6-year-old little girl, you'll know exactly what I'm taking about. Here's hoping Disney gives her a long and succesful career at the studio.
Of course, we can't forget our favorite blue troublemaker himself, Stitch. Much to the surprise of many, Experiment 626 makes the jump to live-action brilliantly, and a great deal of credit goes out to the legendary Chris Sanders, who reprises the role from the original film, and even gives him a slightly naughtier edge.
Seeing Lilo and Stitch together, getting into trouble, learning about ohana, and recreating iconic moments from the original film is a heartwarming experience everyone will love. Unfortunately, the film isn't without its flaws.
The bad
As a whole, the movie was a phenomenal family feature that will undoubtedly delight Disney fans. However, that's not to say it was flawless. While it was certainly an impressive and entertaining experience, there were a couple of issues that couldn't be ignored.
The opening sequence of the film has a noticeable pacing issue that makes things feel rushed. To a point, this is logically done so the audience can see more of Stitch going wild on the island with the rest of the human cast. However, it breezes through scenes with characters like Jumba and Pleakley to a point that it just feels unnatural.
On the subject of Jumba and Pleakley, it's here that we run into the film's biggest problems. Although Billy Magnussen does fine as Pleakley, both as an alien and in his human disguise. Zack Galifianakis was painfully miscast as Dr. Jumba.
Somewhere, David Ogden Stiers is rolling in his grave. Although Galifianakis is a skilled performer, his voice does not match the body it comes out of, and it becomes a major distraction whenever he's on screen. Given his new, bearded, human disguise and the original's cheesy Russian accent, it's a wonder Disney didn't employ David Harbour in between takes of Thunderbolts* to take on the role.
The final verdict
I went into this film expecting something like one of Disney's earlier remakes, a live-action adaptation of a Disney story with some modern upgrades thrown in. However, I was treated to a delightful summer family flick in the same vein as Nim's Island or Dolphin Tale. In short, this adaptation was made for ohanas of all shapes and sizes.
If I were asked to describe this film, I'd call it "surprisingly great." I sincerely enjoyed what I saw, even with one or two glaring flaws. While I still stand by my belief that it's entirely too soon for Stitch to get a live-action remake, I was happy to have seen it, and I am currently entertaining the thought of a second showing. I give it 4 out of 5 red space cruisers.
Lilo & Stitch is in theaters everywhere now!