The live-action Lilo and Stitch remake has audiences hyped to see the adorable alien Stitch cause mayhem. However, as we anticipate the new movie, letโs not forget the original animated version. The original is a masterpiece, and the live-action version shouldnโt be seen as a replacement. Here are five reasons to rewatch the original version before you see the remake.
1. Lilo and Stitch has Beautiful Artwork

The gorgeous artwork in the original Lilo and Stitch simply canโt be replicated in live-action. The hand-drawn characters are wonderfully expressive, and the watercolor backgrounds are lovely to look at. Traditional hand-drawn animation offers a unique experience that feels like you are looking into someoneโs imagination. The smooth, round lines and bright colors convey a sense of peace and wonder.
2. Daveigh Chase
It looks like Maia Kealoha will do a good job capturing Liloโs quirky personality in the live-action version. However, Daveigh Chase was the original Lilo, and she brought an overwhelming level of charm and poignancy to the character with her vocal performance. She could generate laughter with deadpan lines like โDid you ever kill anyone?โ and break the audienceโs hearts when she says goodbye to Stitch.
3. The Humor
The Lilo and Stitch script broke new ground for Disney humor. Lilo innocently states that Nani likes Davidโs butt. Stitch and Jumba chant โone potato, two potatoโ while tossing a deadly weapon back and forth. Pleakley studies Earth culture with a ViewMaster. It remains to be seen whether or not the new movie will have the same unique sense of humor, but even if it does, the original movie did it first.
4. The Emotion
The original can make you laugh out loud one minute and tear up the next. Lilo and Nani are portrayed as real, flawed people. They yell at each other like sisters do, which makes it more powerful when they talk about how their family is broken. Stitch seems like a simple, chaotic character at first, but as the movie progresses, we see how lonely he truly is. It will take real skill for the remake to pull off the same level of emotion.
5. Wynonnaโs Cover of โBurning Loveโ
The original utilizes several Elvis Presley songs in its soundtrack, culminating by an amazing cover of โBurning Love.โ Sung by Wynonna Judd, the cover plays over a montage of Lilo and Stitch enjoying various recreational activities. The cover is full of energy and soul, making a perfect finale for the movie. While the live-action soundtrack also has a cover of โBurning Love,โ performed by Nyjah Music and Zyah Rhythm, nothing can top Wynonnaโs version.
Conclusion
The live-action Lilo and Stitch looks like it is trying to capture the heart of the original version. Indeed, it looks like it will have a cute girl playing Lilo, an adorable CGI Stitch, and plenty of tropical scenery to treat audiences. However, itโs the original that is a classic, and no matter how many remakes Disney churns out, we should never forget the animated originals. Now is the perfect time to revisit the first Lilo and Stitch.