Movies

Disney’s Shocking Betrayal of Stitch: What Happened to Our Favorite Alien?

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In a surprising turn of events, it’s Stitch, an alien disguised as a dog in the 2002 movie “Lilo & Stitch,” who has become a global sensation in the Disney realm. Despite his chaotic nature and stark contrast to the friendly demeanor of Mickey Mouse, Stitch’s design has an undeniable charm, evident in his large floppy ears, toothy grin, and dance moves that blend the Tasmanian Devil with a hula dancer. This unexpected success led to three animated sequels, three TV series, including “Stitch!”, and a vast array of merchandise on the Disney Store website, not including replicas. When it was announced that Stitch would star in a live-action remake, directed by Dean Fleischer Camp, who is renowned for “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On,” anticipation ran high for this alien’s comeback. In fact, some predict that its opening weekend earnings could surpass even Tom Cruise’s box office draw from jumping out of planes.

In the upcoming release of “Lilo & Stitch” on May 23rd, it’s clear that Stitch is an unwelcome alien. Given that this remake surpasses the original by over 20 minutes, one might anticipate a more significant role for such a beloved animated character. The promotions certainly suggest as much – if you’ve ventured outdoors recently, you’ve likely noticed Stitch plastered on clothing, home goods, and practically anything with a price tag. It’s easy to think he’s the sole focus of the film. However, this extended runtime opens up possibilities for an enriched backstory, flashbacks revealing the havoc he wreaked that led to his outer space exile, and a more profound connection between Stitch and Lilo, among other developments.

As a movie enthusiast, I found myself investing more time with the lovable character Stitch, expecting him to take center stage, especially considering his unique alien nature. However, this film focuses more on Lilo and her elder sister Nani, who was unexpectedly thrust into a guardian role after their tragic parents’ accidental demise. Ambitious Nani had even secured a full scholarship for marine biology at a prestigious university, but she prioritizes Lilo above her dreams. Additionally, there’s Tūtũ, their neighbor with an ironclad protective instinct towards them. These new aspects are neither disappointing nor unwelcome, but I find it puzzling that the narrative chooses to delve into their lives at the cost of Stitch’s screen time.

Instead of focusing solely on Stitch’s character development, the movie prefers to showcase his antics, often favoring chaos over depth. A fresh scene showcases him wrecking a wedding reception with the intention of devouring the cake, accompanied by “Uptown Funk.” He consumes excessively and burps frequently. He even swallows a lava lamp and burps again. All these actions reflect his playful nature. However, these moments overshadow Stitch’s true character, as they seem more geared towards creating memes or future merchandising opportunities rather than exploring his complexities. His character lacks growth and a personal narrative. The evolution of the once misunderstood creature seeking self-identity into a party animal reminiscent of a frat house resident is evident. If the movie were to fast forward, one could imagine Stitch drinking beers and demolishing a nacho platter.

Viewers didn’t just find Stitch endearing because he’s an oddball character who causes havoc, or because of his adorable blue and fluffy appearance (although that definitely adds to the charm). The real reason they connected with him was that in the 2002 movie “Lilo & Stitch,” Stitch was portrayed as an outsider yearning for acceptance. He made constant efforts to control his destructive impulses to solidify his newfound family ties with Lilo and Nani. Stitch deeply desired to fit in, to be a part of a world he always felt excluded from. This sense of longing was also shared by Lilo, who was ostracized at school and grappling with profound loss. The film tells the story of two outcasts joining forces to confront a world that has only brought them pain.

In the updated version, unfortunately, key moments that significantly shaped Stitch’s character in the original movie are missing. In the initial animated film, after creating chaos for the sisters, Stitch would feel restless at night and Jumba, his creator, would observe him. Reflecting to Pleakley, Jumba lamented, “I never gave him a greater purpose. What is it like to have nothing? Not even memories to revisit during the night?” Bored and seeking distraction, Stitch would rummage through Lilo’s bookshelf and be drawn to a picture book titled “The Ugly Duckling“. He would then awaken Lilo to share his thoughts on it.

Lilo clarifies that he’s sad because no one seems to want him, but in the story, his family recognizes his cries and come to find him. This realization brings joy to the Ugly Duckling as he knows where he belongs. The significance of this resonates deeply with him, causing him to bring the book close and rest his eyes. However, just as he’s about to drift off to sleep, Lilo introduces him to Elvis’ music, strengthening their friendship even further.

In the movie, Stitch accidentally leads to Nani losing her job, which forces Mr. Bubbles to consider separating the sisters and placing Lilo in foster care. Stricken with remorse, Stitch deserts Lilo, taking only The Ugly Duckling along. This is when Lilo utters the heartfelt motto that becomes the film’s core: “Family means nobody gets left behind.” Though touched by her sentiment, Stitch decides to leave, seeking self-discovery and wanting to stop causing pain to someone he cherishes so dearly. In the forest, he opens the book to the same page he was on with Lilo, where the duckling cries, “I’m lost!” Feeling a deep sense of isolation, Stitch echoes those words: “I’m lost.” He expresses more than just physical confusion; he is lonely in the world after leaving the only person who loved him selflessly. Uncertain about his identity, he is adrift.

In a surprising turn for most family films, Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” delves deeply into the emotional aftermath of tragic events, something not often explored in their usual fare.

2025’s version of “Lilo & Stitch” provides only rough outlines for a key relationship. The Disney Live-Action division has taken some peculiar paths in adapting their animated masterpieces, but perhaps the greatest misstep is failing to grasp what makes one of their most universally cherished characters endearing. Instead of these crucial scenes, we encounter a brief exchange between Lilo and Stitch where she queries about his family. In response, he replies with a simple “no.” This exchange, which could have offered depth, is swiftly moved past. A remake doesn’t need to be an exact replica to hold value; introducing fresh perspectives justifies the process of remaking these films, and it sets apart the few live-action remakes worth watching in Disney’s library. However, there must be a delicate balance between innovation and preserving the essence that made the original story compelling.

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2025-05-21 20:08

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