One specific aspect of the live-action Lilo & Sтιтch remake is much better than the original animated movie. Even though Lilo & Sтιтch is definitely one of the best live-action Disney remakes, critics and audiences are still pointing out issues with the film. For example, many people have pointed out that Jumba in Lilo & Sтιтch is a much worse character than he was in the animated film, specifically because he doesn’t get the same development in the new movie. Since Jumba serves as the main antagonist in the live-action movie, Captain Gunta also doesn’t appear, which is disappointing.

However, despite these issues, reviews for Lilo & Sтιтch have still been quite solid, with Screen Rant’s own Mary Kᴀssel giving it a 7 out of 10. Additionally, the film has been a huge box office success. As of this writing, Lilo & Sтιтch has grossed $610 million at the worldwide box office (via Box Office Mojo). Therefore, it’s clear that Lilo & Sтιтch has been a mᴀssive success for Disney. On a story level, there is actually one change that the live-action Lilo & Sтιтch movie makes that I think is better than the animated film.

Lilo & Sтιтch Reveals That Sтιтch Is Afraid Of Water Due To His Molecular Density

Sтιтch Immediately Sinks When He’s In Water

At the beginning of Disney’s latest live-action remake, Sтιтch is practically declared an abomination and is sentenced to exile by the United Galactic Federation. However, before the leaders of the United Galactic Federation can take matters into their own hands, Stich steals a police cruiser and uses its hyperdrive to head towards Earth. Initially, the Grand Councilwoman isn’t concerned about him heading to Earth since it is a planet that is mostly made up of water. In a conversation between her and Jumba, it is stated that Sтιтch’s molecular density will cause him to drown immediately.

Because of this conversation, it is immediately established that Sтιтch being near water could lead to his death. This makes his fear of water in the movie very valid, since he practically loses all his strength in the ocean. This is pretty ironic since he lands on a remote island which is surrounded by water. However, Sтιтch crash-landing in Hawaii is not ideal for the United Galactic Federation, which is why the Grand Councilwoman sends Jumba and Pleakley to capture him.

The Lilo & Sтιтch Ending Adds New Visual Of The Duo After Escaping Jumba’s Ship

Lilo & Sтιтch’s Ending Is Much Different From The Animated Movie

Jumba and Pleakley’s hunt for Sтιтch eventually leads to them sabotaging him while he is surfing with Nani and Lilo. This is the first time that Sтιтch almost drowns in the new film. After falling off the surfboard, Sтιтch pulls Lilo down with him. In this moment, Sтιтch isn’t actually trying to cause Lilo harm, but he is completely helpless underwater and just looking for help. Thankfully, both Lilo and Sтιтch make it out of the water alive, but they also have another close call at the end of the film, which is a significant change from the animated movie.

In the animated film, Lilo and Sтιтch wait on the wing of the ship after stopping Gantu. After Lilo and Sтιтch defeat Gantu, who serves as the main antagonist of the animated film, David helps them, along with Nani, Jumba, and Pleakley, back to shore. However, the ending of the live-action Lilo & Sтιтch is much different, and Sтιтch almost drowns once again. In the live-action film, Lilo and Sтιтch fight Jumba instead of Gantu, which leads to his ship getting destroyed. After this fight, the ship crashes into the ocean and Lilo and Sтιтch are sent into the water.

Since Sтιтch can’t swim and Lilo isn’t strong enough to bring him to shore, the lovable blue alien almost drowns at the end of the film. This ending is actually much more emotional than the animated film, since Sтιтch practically sacrifices his own life and lets himself drown so that Nani can save Lilo. However, after she makes sure Lilo is safe, Nani is thankfully able to bring Sтιтch back to shore, as well. At the end of the film, Nani saves Sтιтch by running along the ocean floor until they reach the beach.

The New Lilo & Sтιтch Scene Adds New Layers To Sтιтch Becoming A Changed Person

Sтιтch Undergoes A Lot Of Development In Lilo & Sтιтch

Sтιтch almost drowning at the end of the live-action film is a big improvement over the ending of the animated movie. Lilo and Sтιтch getting stranded in the ocean at the end of the movie mirrors the aforementioned surfboard scene, during which the former pulls the latter underwater and risks her life. In contrast, Sтιтch lets Lilo go at the end of the movie and allows himself to sink to the bottom of the ocean. This proves that Sтιтch has gone through a lot of character development throughout the movie, and is now a more selfless creature.

Sтιтch making this selfless decision at the end of Lilo & Sтιтch also helps to make up for the live-action movie cutting the Ugly Duckling storyline. In the animated film, Sтιтch learns about the concept of family by reading the Ugly Duckling book. Even though that is not present in the live-action film, him sacrificing his life for Lilo proves that he has undergone the same kind of character development. Sтιтch drowning at the end of the movie is even more heartbreaking since he makes the same dancing hand gestures that Lilo taught him earlier in the film while sinking.

The Lilo & Sтιтch Remake Illustrates Sтιтch’s Fear Better Than The Original

The Live-Action Lilo & Sтιтch Properly Explains Sтιтch’s Fear

Overall, while critics and fans have pointed out many problems with the live-action Lilo & Sтιтch film, this is at least one change that is better than the original. In the animated film, there is only one scene in which Sтιтch almost drowns, and this weakness of his is never revisited again. However, the live-action version quickly makes it clear that water is Sтιтch’s biggest weakness and fear, and becomes an important part of the film’s ending.

Obviously, Sтιтch was never going to die at the end of the live-action remake. However, him almost drowning at the end of Lilo & Sтιтch is still very sad and reveals a lot about his character. The mention of Sтιтch’s molecular density in the live-action film, even if it is a quick line, perfectly explains why Sтιтch can’t swim. By including this line, the live-action film successfully improves upon a detail from the animated movie that was underdeveloped. Therefore, I’m glad to say that not all the changes made in the live-action Lilo & Sтιтch film are bad.