Comparing the original Lilo & Stitch (2002) to the 2025 live-action remake.

First, a few thoughts on live-action remakes of classics:

• Animation and live-action are two different art forms and should be treated as such. Some things can be achieved in animation that don’t translate into live-action and vice-versa.
• A different art form necessitates changes.
• Any remakes shouldn’t be carbon copies of the original but bring something new, the director’s own take while keeping the integrity and heart of the story alive.

Lilo & Stitch (2002)

★★★★

• Growing up on Maui and being a local makes this movie incredibly important to me. It’s more than a part of my childhood. It’s a rare glimpse at local life on the islands. We have very few movies/tv that accurate represents the islands, without being about tourists vacationing.
• There aren’t many big films that showcase Hawaiian Pidgin, it’s so comforting to hear the local dialect. “Kapu” meaning sacred, forbidden, or taboo written on a note against Lilo’s door.
• This is one of Disney’s unique and original films, showcasing what they can achieve when they aren’t reusing the same old storyline but creating something wholly new.
• Children from the Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus sung for the Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride song.
• Stitch driving all over Kauai and hitting water on every side of the island is the most relatable island experience.
• Overall: It’s a fun and heartfelt film.

Lilo & Stitch (2025)

★★★

• Pleakley looks like he’s gunk that came out of my nose. You can make live action without making them look hyper realistic and ugly…
• UH Manoa has the best marine biology program, not San Diego…
• I appreciate the inclusion of kama’aina in this and the conscious efforts to make this film a reflection of the islands.
• They built off the original plot to tell a more dynamic story, but now it feels disjointed. The story no longer fits with the alien/Stitch parts. If they had not felt so tied to the original story, and they just told a story about two sisters who were learning how to continue after losing their parents, I think it would work better. There are some things that just doesn’t translate well from animation to live action, and a cuddly alien with groovy Elvis moves seems to be it. We can love stitch in animation.
• Pleakley and Jumba attempt to bring some comedic relief, but only while in faux human form. Pleakley is no longer our dress-wearing gay icon. And Jumba has now become a villain.
• The actors all did a great job, especially Maia Kealoha as Lily, Sydney Agudong as Nana, Amy Hill as their tutu, and Kaipo Dudoit as David. They all had a great dynamic on screen, loved the use of Pidgin in this like in the original animated feature. I wish there was more Pidgin throughout, but I’ll take what they give me.