One specific aspect of the live-action Captain Gunta also doesn't appear, which is disappointing.

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

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

Stitch Immediately Sinks When He's In Water

At the beginning of Disney's latest live-action remake, Stitch 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 Stitch's molecular density will cause him to drown immediately.

Because of this conversation, it is immediately established that Stitch 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, Stitch 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 & Stitch Ending Adds New Visual Of The Duo After Escaping Jumba's Ship

Lilo & Stitch's Ending Is Much Different From The Animated Movie

Jumba and Pleakley's hunt for Stitch eventually leads to them sabotaging him while he is surfing with Nani and Lilo. This is the first time that Stitch almost drowns in the new film. After falling off the surfboard, Stitch pulls Lilo down with him. In this moment, Stitch isn't actually trying to cause Lilo harm, but he is completely helpless underwater and just looking for help. Thankfully, both Lilo and Stitch 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.

Stitch practically sacrifices his own life and lets himself drown so that Nani can save Lilo.

In the animated film, Lilo and Stitch wait on the wing of the ship after stopping Gantu. After Lilo and Stitch 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 & Stitch is much different, and Stitch almost drowns once again. In the live-action film, Lilo and Stitch fight Jumba instead of Gantu, which leads to his ship getting destroyed. After this fight, the ship crashes into the ocean and Lilo and Stitch are sent into the water.

Since Stitch 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 Stitch 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 Stitch back to shore, as well. At the end of the film, Nani saves Stitch by running along the ocean floor until they reach the beach.

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

Stitch Undergoes A Lot Of Development In Lilo & Stitch

Stitch almost drowning at the end of the live-action film is a big improvement over the ending of the animated movie. Lilo and Stitch 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, Stitch lets Lilo go at the end of the movie and allows himself to sink to the bottom of the ocean. This proves that Stitch has gone through a lot of character development throughout the movie, and is now a more selfless creature.

Stitch making this selfless decision at the end of Lilo & Stitch also helps to make up for the live-action movie cutting the Ugly Duckling storyline. In the animated film, Stitch 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. Stitch 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 & Stitch Remake Illustrates Stitch's Fear Better Than The Original

The Live-Action Lilo & Stitch Properly Explains Stitch's Fear

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

Obviously, Stitch was never going to die at the end of the live-action remake. However, him almost drowning at the end of Lilo & Stitch is still very sad and reveals a lot about his character. The mention of Stitch's molecular density in the live-action film, even if it is a quick line, perfectly explains why Stitch 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 & Stitch film are bad.