Why Lilo & Stitch’s Live-Action Remake Ruins Stitch’s Heartbreaking Story!

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Warning: There are spoilers ahead for the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch.

It’s unfortunate that the live-action version of Lilo & Stitch omitted a crucial aspect of Stitch’s initial storyline. Although Lilo & Stitch has generally received favorable reviews, the live-action remake has also drawn some criticism. A significant portion of this criticism stems from modifications made to the original 2002 animated film, particularly the revised ending for the live-action adaptation of Lilo & Stitch.

People have found it questionable that Nani leaves Lilo at the end of the movie adaptation of “Lilo & Stitch.” Critics argue that several alterations to this film, such as making Jumba the main villain, removing Gantu, and keeping Jumba and Pleakley human for most scenes, make it less appealing compared to the original. Although I wasn’t a fan of these changes, what really upset me was eliminating an essential aspect of Stitch’s storyline from the animated movie.

Lilo & Stitch Cuts Out The Ugly Duckling Book & Stitch’s “I’m Lost” Scene

The Ugly Duckling Story Is Important To Stitch

In the initial film, Stitch stumbles upon a storybook in Lilo’s room about the tale of the Ugly Duckling. This captures his interest, prompting him to rouse Lilo to interpret the narrative for him. On one side of the page, an illustration shows the Ugly Duckling weeping and exclaiming “‘I feel lost!’“, while on the other, the Ugly Duckling is seen reunited with his kin. Lilo explains that this brings joy because he knows where he belongs, a sentiment which Stitch identifies with deeply, as he carries the book to sleep with him.

At a later point, when Stitch believes he has shattered Lilo’s family and it would be better for him to leave, he carries only the Ugly Duckling book with him. To add to the melancholy, Stitch wanders into the forest, touches the page in the book depicting the reunited family, and starts saying “I’m lost” as he spends a solitary night. Regrettably, these poignant scenes are absent from the live-action adaptation, and the book plays no role in it whatsoever.

The Ugly Duckling Book & The “I’m Lost” Scene Are Vital To Stitch’s Development

They Help Him Understand Family & Himself

In the remake of Lilo & Stitch, alterations were unavoidable, but eliminating the Ugly Duckling tale and the “I’m lost” scene are particularly disappointing since they play a crucial role in shaping Stitch’s character. These elements are vital as they help Stitch grasp the idea of family, something he had never contemplated before. This understanding is significant because it eventually leads him to recognize that while he lacks biological kin, he discovers a family with Lilo and Nani that offers him joy and a sense of belonging.

In essence, the tale of The Ugly Duckling significantly contributes to Stitch’s self-discovery process, as he identifies with the portrayal of a creature who is misunderstood and feels isolated. This story not only aids him in understanding himself better but also enables him to express his deepest feelings, particularly when he says, “I’m lost.” Although Stitch eventually recognizes that he now has a family, this poignant scene still brings tears to my eyes whenever I watch it, and it plays a crucial role in Stitch’s journey.

The Live-Action Movie’s Replacement For These Scenes Doesn’t Work

These Changes Are Not An Improvement

In the real-world adaptation, the film aims to replace the narrative of “The Ugly Duckling” and certain emotional sequences, such as those expressing feelings of being lost, but these alterations fail to make an impact. A photo album, filled with images of Lilo and Nani’s parents, is presented to help Stitch grasp the idea of family. However, I find it hard to accept that these photographs would resonate with Stitch in the same way as the “The Ugly Duckling” story does. This is mainly because Stitch doesn’t see himself mirrored in the album photos like he does in the “Ugly Duckling” tale. Instead, I believe it would have been more effective to find a way for him to connect with the concept of family that aligns more closely with his unique circumstances.

Regarding the scene where Lilo expresses feeling lost, the live-action adaptation attempts to substitute this with Stitch returning to the shelter he was initially found at by Lilo. However, a more impactful emotional response is created when Stitch ventures into nature and echoes the Ugly Duckling’s words during sad moments, rather than just going back to the shelter. Although certain alterations, such as eliminating Gantu, were necessary because he didn’t fit in live-action, there’s no logical reason why the Ugly Duckling story and “I’m lost” scenes couldn’t have been included. The omission of these scenes hinders Stitch’s growth and development in the animated film, Lilo & Stitch.

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2025-05-29 13:37