Lilo & Stitch Remake TRASHES Nani's Character!

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for the live-action Lilo & Stitch remake!

In the modern adaptation of “Lilo & Stitch,” Nani takes an unexpected turn in her actions, a move she didn’t make in the original production. This twist leaves me deeply disappointed. The live-action remake aimed to delve deeper into the bond between Lilo and Nani as sisters, hoping to create a more intimate story. Regrettably, the conclusion of “Lilo & Stitch” took an unusual path that seems to contradict this intent, leaving not only me but others puzzled by Nani’s choice in the final scene.

As a devoted Disney enthusiast, I must admit that I haven’t found myself appreciating any of the live-action adaptations, and this sentiment extends to the 2025 remake of Lilo & Stitch. In my opinion, it seems that the creators of this remake have missed the mark when it comes to capturing the essence and emotions portrayed in the original movie.

For instance, the decision to make Jumba the main antagonist suggests a lack of understanding for his crucial role in the familial themes present in the first film, as his redemption was pivotal to these themes.

Similarly, Lilo’s fascination with mainland tourists, which is conspicuously absent from the remake, played an essential part in the original’s narrative.

However, it is the changes made to Nani’s character that are most surprising. These alterations have left me utterly astonished.

Nani Gives Up Lilo To The State When She Goes To College

And This Is Presented As A Good Thing

In the live-action adaptation of “Lilo & Stitch,” we delve deeper into the past of the character Nani, revealing her life before their parents’ demise. Originally, Nani was a talented surfer with a promising future in the sport. Her academic prowess was equally impressive, with aspirations to study marine biology off the coast of Hawaii. After the loss of their parents, however, Nani abandoned these ambitions to focus on caring for Lilo. The remake emphasizes the significant sacrifices Nani made for her sister, even though her role remains consistent in both versions of “Lilo & Stitch.

In the remake, Nani’s neighbor Tutu and various other characters consistently inspire her to chase her ambitions. However, she faces challenges in juggling her personal life with caring for Lilo, often leading to run-ins with child protective services. By the end of the remake, social workers suggest that Nani must find a new home for Lilo. In an unexpected twist, Nani consents, placing Lilo under Tūtū’s care. Nani subsequently departs to attend college, following her dreams. This finale may seem heartwarming, but it presents a surprising departure from Nani’s character as portrayed in the original film.

Nani’s Decision In The Remake Deviates From The Original Lilo & Stitch Movie

Where She Continues To Live With Lilo

In contrast to the 2002 original where Nani keeps Lilo, an unexpected twist occurs in this scenario as Nani surrenders Lilo to the state. However, in the movie, when the Grand Councilwoman visits Earth, she designates both Lilo and Nani as Stitch’s caretakers, successfully persuading Cobra Bubbles against separating the family. Consequently, Lilo resides with Stitch, Nani, Jumba, and Pleakley in their home, with the state no longer interfering in their lives. Eventually, even Cobra Bubbles befriends the family in subsequent animated Lilo & Stitch series.

As a devoted fan of the original Lilo & Stitch, I must admit that I was taken aback by the drastic shift in Nani’s character in the remake. In the animated version, she was relentless in her efforts to keep Lilo with her, growing steadily into an admirable parental figure throughout the series. However, in this new adaptation, it seems that Nani’s determination is noticeably less pronounced. Although there is a scene showing her job search, it doesn’t carry the same sense of urgency or commitment as before.

In the original movie, Nani came up with the idea of getting Lilo a dog as she noticed her sister was feeling lonely and wanted to help. This decision stemmed from their close sibling bond. However, in the remake, Tūtū is the one who suggests getting a dog instead. This alteration may appear minor, but in the original story, this moment served a significant thematic purpose. While modifications aren’t always negative, when they remove emotional depth without introducing anything new, it can be considered a poor decision.

I’m Upset Because This Ending Change Ruins The Whole Point Of Nani & Lilo’s Story

And I’m Not The Only One Who Thinks So

It seems like I’m not alone in feeling dissatisfied with this change. The revised storyline appears to be the most contentious choice for this remake, drawing criticism from many devotees of the original film. Many people have pointed out that this alteration diminishes one of the most powerful emotional moments from the first movie, negatively affecting Nani’s character and the central themes in Lilo & Stitch.

I’m puzzled about the decision by the creators of the remake, seeing that this alteration seems to undermine the essence of Nani and Lilo’s tale in Lilo & Stitch. The series is deeply rooted in the theme of family, emphasizing that any unconventional family, like Nani taking care of Lilo with a talking blue dog and two aliens, holds equal importance as more traditional families. This peculiar family serves as home for Lilo, and throughout the Lilo & Stitch universe, characters flourish through their mutual love and affection.

In the reimagined version of “Lilo & Stitch”, Lilo is placed with a nearby relative, leaving Nani to move to another state. Jumba, unfortunately, does not undergo redemption. Contrary to the movie’s message that “Ohana” means everyone stays together, Lilo remains alone in Hawaii. The likelihood of Nani and Lilo living together again might be years away, causing Nani to feel weaker and less caring in character.

One reason this change is problematic ties back to a larger narrative of the original “Lilo & Stitch”: the concept of colonialism. In the 2002 movie, Lilo often feels like an outsider on her own island. She’s captivated by mainland tourists and they tend to view her as more of a curiosity than a person. The social worker’s effort to separate Lilo and Nani can be seen as symbolizing the United States’ separation of Hawaii when it was annexed, reflecting similar power imbalances that come with colonialism.

In a revised and conversational manner: The character Nani in the remake sings “Aloha ‘Oe” to Lilo the night before she is separated, which is a song penned by Queen Lili’uokalani of Hawaii before the annexation. This choice seems peculiar because it mirrors the original film’s theme of Nani surrendering Lilo, which could be seen as implying that colonization is acceptable. If the remake intends to portray this separation as a positive event, it would unwittingly echo the idea that colonization is beneficial – a notion that contradicts the original film’s message. This example highlights how failing to grasp the essence of “Lilo & Stitch” can lead to problematic thematic outcomes in its adaptations.

2025-05-26 16:42

Lilo & Stitch Remake TRASHES Nani’s Character!