Hey King!
Disney finally released its long-awaited live-action adaptation of the beloved 2002 animated film Lilo & Stitch on May 23rd, and audiences have been flocking to theatres to see it. Most viewers have responded positively, appreciating that the film stayed largely faithful to the original. However, some fans were disappointed by the omission of iconic moments, such as the “ugly duckling” scene, where Stitch reads The Ugly Duckling, and the Elvis montage.

Many were relieved that Disney didn’t ruin such a cherished classic and praised the film’s visuals. Still, online discussions have described the remake as “shallow,” with critics arguing that it lacks the heart and soul of the original. Many fans were also critical of the casting choice. Nani’s actor, Sydney Agudong, is from Hawaii, but she is not ethnically native Hawaiian, and is instead Filipino and White. Given the significance of Nani and Lilo’s native Hawaiian ancestry in the original, where they are victims of the extreme tourist culture in Hawaii, it is natural that many Hawaiians believe Disney is downplaying the importance of Nani and Lilo’s ethnic identity with this casting choice.  While the new version offers a fresh perspective, fans have voiced concerns about changes to the ending and questioned the overall quality of the remake compared to the animated classic.

Regardless of how students at King received the animated movie, watching the live-action Lilo & Stitch is bound to be an exciting experience, whether one decides it is worse,  better, or on par with the original.