Lilo & Stitch

When Lilo & Stitch was released in 2002 I wasn’t particularly impressed.  Unlike the Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast, I felt it lacked the catchy songs and refined artistry that typified the studio in the 80’s and 90’s.  Consequently, I ventured into the live-action version hoping Disney might finally deliver.  The actress playing Lilo ( Maia Kealoha,) is outstanding and brings an adorable spunk and authenticity throughout every scene.  The retro feel and cameo by Jason Scott Lee had me leaving the theater satisfied… that is until I rewatched the cartoon.  Here are my concerns:  The addition of nostalgic characters played by Tia Carrere and Amy Hill was unnecessary.  The transformation of the aliens into human form fell flat due to Zack Galifianakis’ inability to add the expected humour,  The ending was different and completely lacked all emotion.  Moreover, key items were missing—where was the iconic hula dance with Lilo & Stitch?  Why was the strong Elvis Presley presence downgraded severely?  Even small details, like Stitch’s ability to play music by opening his mouth, lost its charm in translation.  The original Lilo & Stitch was fun, heartfelt and had a natural flow. The live-action adaptation however, feels like a watered-down version.  Once again, it makes me wish Disney would focus on creating new original content rather than relying on remakes to stay relevant.