Notes on Lilo and Stitch Movie Commentary

General Sentiment

• The speaker is very unhappy with the new Lilo and Stitch movie.
• Felt the movie was disappointing, especially compared to the original.
• Angry with Disney for focusing on merchandise over movie quality.

Merchandise

• The speaker bought Lilo and Stitch merchandise before seeing the movie.
• Disney reportedly made $2.6 billion from Stitch merchandise.
• Felt the movie was a vehicle to promote merchandise rather than quality storytelling.

Movie Budget and Impact

• Movie was supposed to be on Disney Plus with a $100 million budget.
• Many beloved elements and characters from the original were cut to save money.
• Stitch is portrayed more as a pet than a friend, which was a disappointment.

Character Analysis

• Lilo: Maya Kilahu is praised for her performance.
• Stitch: Lacking presence in the movie, perceived as a supporting character.
• Nani: Changes made to her character, possibly whitewashed, and turned into an aspiring marine biologist.
  • Changes made without meaningful integration into the story.
• Jumba and Pleakley: Changes considered poor and offensive.
  • Zach Galifianakis was miscast as Jumba.
  • Pleakley’s portrayal is criticized for potential queerbaiting.

Comparison to Original Movie

• Original film was a masterpiece, new one feels like a downgrade.
• Key scenes like the ugly duckling and Elvis montage were missing.
• The original film's heart and soul were perceived as missing.
• Lilo and Stitch’s chemistry and original lines largely absent.

Critique on Adaptation

• Live-action version lacks the vibrancy and aesthetic of the original animation.
• Many original elements were changed or removed, losing the original’s charm.
• Criticism of Disney’s recent live-action remakes being subpar.

Conclusion

• The remake lacks creativity and is primarily a cash grab.
• A call for viewers' opinions despite the speaker’s negative experience.
• The speaker’s frustration is a reflection of a broader disappointment in Disney’s current direction.