KSL Movie Show review: How does ‘Lilo & Stitch’ measure up to the original?

Editor’s note: This is an editorial piece. An editorial, like a news article, is based on fact but also shares opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not associated with our newsroom.

Walt Disney Pictures continues its efforts to take its animated catalog and turn it into live-action features that have had somewhat limited success. In industry parlance, they basically amount to “cash grabs,” although some have managed to rise above that term, namely “The Jungle Book,” “Pete’s Dragon,” “Cinderella” and “Cruella.”

There are a whole bunch more that didn’t fare as well.

So, where does “Lilo & Stitch” land?

I’d say in the mostly positive arena, especially since it’s been 20-plus years since the first animated version hit the big screen. And of course, the age-old question remains in remake-land. Do you mirror the original movie exactly? Or do you find some way to enhance what was already a pretty good film?

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I think the latter is preferred, since if you did a shot-for-shot revisit, then what was the point? Admittedly, the opening where we first see Experiment 626, with his creator Dr. Jumba on trial for genetically engineering this super strong, super smart, little monster, is almost word for word, all the way until the creature crash lands on Earth in Hawaii, and Jumba and Agent Pleakley are sent to capture it and bring it back before the Council of the United Galactic Federation.

Once 626 gets to Hawaii, things are a bit more loosey goosey with additional characters and more background created for little Lilo (first timer Maia Kealoha) and her exasperated big sister and legal guardian Nani (Sydney Agudong).

For example, we’re introduced to the idea that Nani was hoping to go to college on the mainland but had to cancel those plans once the parents passed away (no explanation of their absence given in this remake either).

Another big difference was with the social worker. In this version, government agent Cobra Bubbles (Courtney B. Vance) doesn’t show up until halfway through the movie. An additional character Mrs. Kekoa (Tia Carrere) takes on the early social work responsibilities. In the original, Ving Rhames beautifully and powerfully combines the two parts into a mysterious, but compassionate single character.

Also, and I’m not sure why they chose to go this way (perhaps costs), the two bumbling, searching aliens in the original just put on outfits so they aren’t spotted by humans. In the remake, the aliens become human clones in the likeness of Zach Galifianakis and Billy Magnussen.

It changes the whole dynamic and feels a little weird, even though they do bring some levity, especially Magnussen’s over-the-top exuberance.

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Fortunately, the heart of the story is Lilo and her pet adoption of 626, now called Stitch. They are cute together and you can tell the filmmakers spent a lot of time and effort to make Stitch the most accurate and best possible character they could. They even brought back the same guy to voice Stitch (Chris Sanders, who also co-wrote and co-directed the original film.

How do I remember such detail, since the films are decades apart? Well, I decided to watch the original “Lilo & Stitch” just hours before the screening of the new one.

And here’s my final take. The original felt more streamlined and tighter than the remake, which makes sense, as the 2002 version was a crisp 89 minutes, while this latest one runs 108.

Yet, I think kids will still have a good time with either film, but my preference would be with the OG first movie. Sorry. Just sayin’.

LILO & STITCH (B-) Rated PG for action, peril and thematic elements. Starring Maia Kealoha, Sydney Agudong, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen, Amy Hill, Tia Carrere and the voice of Chris Sanders. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp (“Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” “Fraud”) – filmed in Hawaii. Running time: 108 minutes.

The KSL Movie Show with Andy Farnsworth and Steve Salles airs Fridays on KSL NewsRadio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow the show on Facebook, and join The KSL Movie Show Club for exclusive perks by texting MOVIE to 57500. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Message frequency varies.