Pop Culture Happy Hour: Lilo & Stitch Remake Review Released on May 27, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour, hosted by NPR’s Stephen Thompson, Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, and co-hosts Aisha Harris and Candice Lim delve into the latest Disney live-action remake of the beloved 2002 animated film, Lilo & Stitch. Joining Stephen and Aisha is former Pop Culture Happy Hour producer Candice Lim and entertainment journalist Char Josel, who provide insightful perspectives on the film's adaptation, performance, and overall impact.
Overview of the Remake
Stephen Thompson opens the discussion by outlining the premise of the remake: a live-action retelling of Disney's Lilo & Stitch, highlighting the central characters—Lilo, portrayed by Maya Kealoha, her sister Nani (Sydney Elizabeth Agudong), and the chaotic alien Stitch. The remake follows the original plot closely, emphasizing themes of sisterhood and found family, while introducing live-action elements that add new dimensions to the story.
Cast and Performances
The panel praises the performances, particularly Sidney Elizabeth Agudong as Nani. Stephen notes, “[...] the emotional beats in this film really do have to come from these people acting out these scenes and doing it well enough that you care about them” (19:12). Billy Magnussen’s portrayal of Pleakly is also highlighted for bringing a natural comedic flair to the character, enhancing the film’s humor.
Differences from the Original
Candice Lim points out that the remake is "beat for beat," maintaining the original storyline but extending the runtime by 20 minutes (10:18). While this allows for deeper exploration of characters' lives—such as Nani's struggles with social workers and health insurance—it also results in pacing issues. Aisha Harris remarks, “...it's like, that is a long time to get your titular characters to finally interact” (10:37), indicating that the film takes longer to develop key relationships compared to the animated version.
Visual and Cultural Representation
The transition from animation to live-action brings both strengths and challenges. While the animated original offers vibrant, expressive characters, the live-action version sometimes struggles to convey the same dynamism. Candice notes, “[...] in the animated version, he [Stitch] was adorable, but also a creature literally bred to sow chaos” and how the live-action Stitch, resembling a “blue Paddington,” may not capture the same charm (06:07). However, Aisha appreciates the authentic representation, stating, “...if they were offering to direct live Stitch, I too would go to Hawaii and I too, would have fun with a little blue Stitch and Billy Magnussen” (21:13).
Emotional Depth and Themes
The remake introduces more mature themes, such as Nani’s stress and the pressures of guardianship, adding layers that were less prominent in the original. Aisha Harris explains, “There's this kind of moment where Nani has to tell, like, the social workers are taking you away from me. She can't even say it. It's so hurtful and it's so sad” (16:03). This adds emotional depth and makes the story resonate more with adult audiences, though it slightly shifts the focus from the purely whimsical elements of the animated film.
Music and Score
Music remains a strong element in the remake, with the iconic "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride" making a return. The panel appreciates the continuation of the original’s musical charm, with Candice mentioning, “I love the score of this film because there actually is... peacefulness, that kind of acknowledgment of the nature” (20:33). This maintains the cultural authenticity and emotional resonance that were hallmarks of the original.
Criticisms and Areas for Improvement
Despite the positive aspects, the panel identifies several areas where the remake falls short:
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Pacing Issues: The extended runtime leads to slower plot progression. Aisha notes, “...right when the title characters finally meet. It was about 30 minutes into the movie” (10:37), indicating delays in key plot developments.
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Missing Scenes and Characters: Certain beloved scenes and characters from the original are absent. Candice laments the omission of the Elvis montage and Gantu, stating, “There’s something there that I hold from a nostalgic place that I kind of realized... something that is lost when we go towards this kind of remake culture” (08:38).
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Visual Discrepancies: The live-action portrayal of Stitch can be unsettling for some viewers. Char Josel expresses discomfort with Stitch’s live-action depiction, saying, “there were times where I was like, I can't watch, like, him scaling the wall” (22:26).
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Superfluous Plot Elements: Some additions feel unnecessary, such as the subplot involving Stitch disrupting a wedding, which Char Josel finds unproductive and confusing (12:30).
Positive Enhancements
On the flip side, the live-action format allows for new comedic moments and interactions, particularly with humanized alien characters. Stephen praises the integration of human actors playing Jumba and Pleakly, enhancing the physical comedy and interaction that animation couldn’t achieve (14:29).
Cultural and Generational Impact
The remake bridges generational gaps, introducing Lilo & Stitch to a new audience while offering nostalgia for those familiar with the original. Stephen shares his personal experience of never having seen the original film, emphasizing the remake’s role in continuing the story for families who may not have experienced it before (09:04).
Conclusion
The Lilo & Stitch live-action remake offers a heartfelt homage to the original while introducing new elements that resonate with contemporary audiences. While it succeeds in enhancing certain aspects through live-action storytelling and strong performances, it also grapples with pacing issues and the challenges of translating animated charm to a live setting. Overall, the remake is praised for its emotional depth, cultural representation, and humor, making it a worthwhile watch for both new viewers and longtime fans.
Notable Quotes
- Char Josel: “I really enjoyed it for what it was.” (04:36)
- Aisha Harris: “This might be the first live action remake of a Disney movie that I actually really enjoyed.” (06:07)
- Candice Lim: “There's something there that I hold from a nostalgic place... something that is lost when we go towards this kind of remake culture.” (08:38)
- Stephen Thompson: “They have to do so quickly because animation can convey so much in a small amount of time.” (19:12) (Note: Adjusted for context)
- Candice Lim: “I felt a little less connected to this version of Lilo.” (16:15)
Timestamp References
- 04:36 - Char Josel on enjoying the film
- 06:07 - Aisha Harris expresses initial skepticism but eventual enjoyment
- 08:38 - Candice Lim on pacing and nostalgia
- 10:37 - Discussion on pacing and plot development
- 12:30 - Char Josel on unnecessary plot elements
- 14:29 - Praise for Billy Magnussen’s performance
- 16:15 - Candice Lim on connection with the new Lilo
- 19:12 - Stephen Thompson on performances
- 22:26 - Candice Lim on visual depiction issues
Note: The timestamps correspond to the provided transcript and are meant to aid listeners in locating specific parts of the discussion.