Stitch's Live-Action Letdown The Couch Critic podcast

6d ago 11:10

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Disney's live-action remake machine continues churning with their latest offering, Lilo & Stitch, and I have some strong thoughts about it. While box office numbers may tell one story, the heart of this Hawaiian tale seems to have gotten lost somewhere between animation and reality.
The 2002 animated classic captured something special - the raw, emotional bond between two sisters trying to stay together after losing their parents. "Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind" wasn't just a cute catchphrase; it was the emotional core that made the original resonate with audiences for over two decades. Unfortunately, this remake makes bewildering choices that undermine this central message, including a controversial ending where Nani leaves Lilo to attend college - essentially abandoning the very premise that made the original so powerful.
Despite bright spots like original Stitch voice actor Chris Sanders returning and some nice cameos from the 2002 voice cast, the film ultimately feels like a pointless exercise. Character changes feel arbitrary rather than meaningful, with Zach Galifianakis' Jumba missing the distinctive Russian accent that defined the animated character, and Nani suddenly aspiring to be a marine biologist without substantial development. After the disastrous Snow White remake, I had hoped Disney might course-correct, but this feels like another missed opportunity to either honor what made the original special or take the story somewhere genuinely new. Don't miss next week's episode where my wife and I review the final Mission Impossible film - was it a worthy send-off or a disappointing conclusion? Subscribe now and join us for new episodes every Saturday!