Movies

Nani’s Decision in Lilo & Stitch Live-Action Leaves Fans Disappointed!

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Alright, we have to talk about Lilo & Stitch. The new movie specifically.

To start off, let’s discuss in broad terms Disney’s reimagined live-action films. These productions often incorporate alterations that spark debate among viewers. In an article I penned, I argued that successful live-action adaptations from Disney could be achieved by adhering to the original source material while making modifications that resonate with the storyline and uphold the film’s core themes.

As a movie enthusiast, I must confess that most films fail to bring something truly unique to the table. We either get remakes like Snow White, which, while delightful for families and kids, strays far from the classic tale we all cherish, or movies such as The Lion King, which are essentially rehashes of the original with none of the original’s depth or flavor.

Today, let’s discuss my cherished movie, “Lilo & Stitch.” It’s a film that sparked my anticipation before its release. While I appreciate certain modifications made in the movie, there’s one alteration I simply can’t support. And so, we’ll delve into it today.

The Film Itself Is Still Fun And Captures The Heart Of The Original

The great news? Lilo & Stitch isn’t just a money-making machine, and for a Disney live-action remake, avoiding that is definitely a success.

As a devoted fan, I can confidently say that “Lilo & Stitch” has been reigning supreme at the box office for quite some time now. The reason behind its success is not only its impressive earnings but also its heartwarming storyline. You see, Lilo, much like myself, is a lonely and somewhat peculiar child. She, along with her sister, have lost their parents, leaving them to navigate life on their own. Stitch, an extraterrestrial who crash-lands on Earth, becomes an unexpected addition to their family despite his wild and unconventional nature – the complete package!

The remake is enjoyable, but it doesn’t quite match up to the classic. Frankly, nothing can truly surpass the original, but I must admit that there’s a certain charm and excitement about this version that makes it worth watching. After all, I’ve seen countless remakes in my time, and many of them have been dreadfully dull, lacking any real spark or entertainment value – enough to make me wish I was watching the original instead.

However, the film “Lilo & Stitch” proves to be successful. Despite being an older release, Stitch remains entertaining, and there are plenty of humorous scenes throughout. In summary, I believe it makes a great addition to the 2025 movie lineup.

However, there is one change I don’t like…and that has to do with Nani.

But I’m Not A Huge Fan Of Nani Leaving Lilo Behind

There are plenty of changes in 2025’s Lilo & Stitch.

Leaving Cobra Bubbles with a smaller role is crucial, while altering Gantu’s status as the main antagonist (or excluding him entirely) is another important change. Including Tutu, Lilo and Nani’s neighbor, is a shift I can accept.

What I find less appealing is the manner in which Nani chooses to look after Lilo in the movie. Upon re-watching the beloved animated film “Lilo & Stitch” for the first time in quite some time, I felt an incredibly strong bond with Nani for numerous reasons.

I believe it’s mainly due to maturing into an adult, or at least striving towards it, that I can understand Nani better. She wasn’t fully grown up herself when her parents passed away; instead, she suddenly found herself as the only mature figure caring for Lilo.

In the movie, she felt compelled to secure a job and make significant sacrifices to become an ideal figure for Lilo. However, it was clear that she wasn’t perfect, and throughout the film, we witnessed her growth alongside Lilo. This growth wasn’t just about their sisterly bond but also about learning acceptance and rebuilding their family from scratch. She went to great lengths to prevent being separated from her sister.

Now, it seems like Nani is planning to go to the mainland. Leaving her sister behind, under the care of a neighbor as a guardian? Well, I’m not quite sure about that.

As a moviegoer, I find myself torn between two worlds in this scenario. On one hand, I admire Nani’s ambition to attend the dream school for marine biology. Yet, on the other, there’s a deep-seated yearning within me that wishes she could remain by her little sister Lilo’s side. It’s evident throughout the film that Lilo means everything to Nani, and this decision seems to create a divide between their lives. Despite its allure, the school in California feels somewhat detached from her connection with Lilo, a bond I deeply value as a viewer.

If I were in her situation, having the portal gun or not, I’d prefer to stay as near as a human could be, just in case anything unexpected occurred.

It’s Very Honorable For The Neighbor To Volunteer, But I Don’t See That Happening In Real Life

In a different phrasing, it seems rather implausible that Tutu assumes the role of guardian for both Lilo and Stitch, as their caretaker, due to certain circumstances in this story.

Indeed, it’s quite likely that there are many wonderful neighbors out there. However, since I reside in an apartment complex, I don’t have as much interaction with my neighbors as I’d prefer due to limited opportunities for encounters. Nonetheless, I find it challenging to envision a scenario where I would be completely comfortable leaving my little sister in the care of a neighbor while I attend school for extended periods of time.

Despite this, I strongly believe that many neighbors might find it challenging to welcome a child, particularly Tutu, who is well into her seventies. Adopting a child at such an advanced age isn’t something that happens easily. It’s worth noting that Lilo is slightly older than a toddler, but to abandon your peaceful retirement for that? I find it hard to imagine this scenario unfolding.

It’s Sweet In Its Own Way For Nani To Live Her Life, But A Part Of Me Can’t Help But Feel Disappointed By It

I don’t believe Nani leaving the movie is a deal-breaker. In fact, her choice to pursue higher education is something I can understand given today’s expectations. However, there’s a small part of me that wishes she had chosen a college in Hawaii rather than going to the mainland. To my mind, that would have been more fitting for the story.

The first movie was special because it showed Nani becoming a caring parent for Lilo and their close bonding journey with Stitch and others, including rebuilding their home together. Unfortunately, we don’t see much of this towards the end when Nani goes to college.

It’s great that she can keep visiting and interacting with her as often as she can, yet it seems like it curtails a significant aspect of Nani’s character growth. While she has matured, it’s not the kind of development I’m accustomed to…and it leaves me feeling somewhat let down.

Regardless of the choice, the family remains unbroken, which is the essential part. Yet, it seems like yet another instance where a live-action remake by Disney appears to alter things unnecessarily – not always for the better.

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2025-06-07 18:08

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