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India Today
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
90s cartoon legends we want back after Lilo & Stitch's return. Reload the nostalgia
We're not crying, you're crying. Okay fine, we're all crying. Lilo & Stitch, the mischievous alien tale that made Ohana a household word, is getting the live-action treatment in 2025. And while some purists are side-eyeing the remake, most of us are screaming into our pillows out of sheer living in a world of remakes, reboots, and reimaginings, but not all of them hit where it matters- the heart. With the 2025 return of Lilo & Stitch in a live-action avatar, it's a reminder that some cartoon characters weren't just animated, they were emotionally made us laugh, cry, and believe in everything from friendship to flying cars. In a time of doomscrolling, hyper-edits, and AI-generated chaos, these characters deserve a comeback, not just to entertain a new generation, but to remind us millennials of what pure, pixel-powered joy felt like. The world doesn't just need content, it needs comfort. And what's more comforting than a cartoon hug from your childhood?But that got us thinking, if Stitch gets a second chance to wreak adorable havoc, what about the other animated icons we grew up with? The ones that shaped our humour, fuelled our snack binges, and made us believe the remote control was a sacred LILO & STITCH CAN RETURN, SO CAN THESE ICONS:Here's our ultimate wish list of cartoon characters that need to be resurrected, reimagined, and rebooted, because these legends still live rent-free in our COURAGE THE COWARDLY DOG Image: Wikimedia commons It was the OG horror-comedy show before Stranger Things. We had this pink paranoid pupper living in 'Nowhere'. Courage faced demonic cats, haunted mattresses, and cursed amulets, every night was a psychological it needs a comeback: With today's VFX and horror trends, Courage could finally get the terrifying visuals he deserves. Give him a Guillermo del Toro treatment, and we're sold.2. TOM AND JERRY (Image: Wikimedia commons) The eternal cat-and-mouse chase that somehow never got old. No dialogue, just pure slapstick chaos, visual comedy, and surprisingly deep emotional arcs, if you were paying it needs a comeback: We've rebooted them before, but never with heart. Think 2D animation meets Pixar emotions, a reboot where Tom and Jerry still don't talk, but finally get the emotional redemption arc they NODDY (Image: Wikimedia commons) Our favorite wooden boy with a bell on his cap and a red-yellow car was the unofficial ambassador of Toyland diplomacy. Every episode was a polite negotiation between friends, enemies, and that slightly shady goblin it needs a comeback: In a world of loud chaos, Noddy's quiet curiosity and conflict-resolution skills deserve a Gen Alpha upgrade. Picture a Studio Ghibli-style Toyland, soft pastels, life lessons, and tea with Big Ears. Wholesome, reloaded.4. OSWALD (Image: Youtube) A blue octopus with a bowler's hat and the patience of a monk, Oswald's world was a calm oasis of slow-paced joy. Every tiny adventure felt like a meditation app with it needs a comeback: In our hustle-burnout loop, we need Oswald more than ever. A reboot could be a gentle, animated mindfulness series; no villains, just vibes. Pair it with lo-fi jazz and you've got a preschool Ted BOB THE BUILDER (Image: Wikimedia commons) Yes we can! And yes, we did, build memories brick by brick with Bob, Wendy, and the whole machine crew. It was teamwork, trust, and toolbox-level it needs a comeback: Today's kids are coding robots, not just fixing fences. A new-age Bob could teach sustainability, smart tech, and empathy-led design thinking. Also, we miss Scoop's unhinged optimism.6. ED, EDD N EDDY (Image: Wikimedia commons) They were the kings of junkyard entrepreneurship. This chaotic trio turned cardboard boxes into rocket ships and scammed the entire neighbourhood for jawbreakers. Messy, loud, and endlessly creative, they were peak childhood it needs a comeback: A live-action series with a 'Home Alone' vibe could hit the nostalgia jackpot—slapstick, smarts, and suburban THE POWERPUFF GIRLS (Image: Wikimedia commons) The OG feminist icons before it was cool. Made from sugar, spice, and Chemical X, Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup fought monsters, went to school, and saved Townsville by 6 it needs a comeback: A proper live-action Powerpuff Girls that balances cute and kick-ass could inspire a new generation of girls to wear capes over pajamas.8. JOHNNY BRAVO (Image: Wikimedia commons) He was the himbo we didn't know we needed. With a pompadour higher than your future and confidence levels that defy gravity, Johnny was the clueless but lovable it needs a comeback: Cast someone like Chris Hemsworth and throw in a self-aware, woke twist? Comedy gold. Bonus points for Elvis-inspired dance breaks.9. KIM POSSIBLE (Image: Wikimedia commons) advertisementShe was always mission-ready and mid-exam. Kim juggled cheerleading, algebra, and saving the world, with a pager and a mole rat. She was every multitasking teen's role it needs a comeback: In a tech-savvy 2025 world, imagine her using AI, smartwatches, and drones, all while dealing with finals. Ron Stoppable still forgets his pants. Some things never change.10. DEXTER'S LABORATORY (Image: Wikimedia commons) Dexter was our favourite boy genius. He was an introverted nerd who had a secret lab, a mind too big for his tiny body, and a sister who could dismantle it all with it needs a comeback: A modern-day Dexter battling AI gone rogue? He could be the next 'Black Mirror' meets 'Spy Kids' 90S CARTOONS WERE NEVER JUST CARTOONSThese shows weren't 'just for kids.' They shaped how we see friendship, fear, fun, and even failure. In a world that now moves at hyper-speed, maybe it's time we returned to these slow-burn joys, one live-action reboot at a yes, Lilo & Stitch might be coming back, but we've got our eyes (and childhood hearts) set on the rest of the gang if you're listening, we have the nostalgia, we have the fanbase, and we have the memes. Let's make it happen.
Boston Globe
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
‘Lilo and Stitch' is a live-action alien resurrection
Disney's latest beeline for your wallet, and your nostalgia, is a live-action remake of 'Lilo & Stitch.' If that title doesn't ring a bell, this movie is not for you at all. I'm astonished by how many of my millennial friends consider the 2002 original to be an essential staple of their childhood. The character of Stitch is a fan favorite for them, and these are the people Disney is trying to reach. It's smart counterprogramming to the behemoth that is ' Advertisement I shouldn't really be surprised by the Stitch love: I took my then-four-year old nephew to see the original 'Lilo & Stitch,' and I've never seen a kid enjoy a movie more. His raggedy uncle, however, was praying the movie would fry in the projector; I hated, hated, hated this frenetic cartoon about an obnoxious little Hawaiian girl named Lilo and her equally destructive alien pal, Experiment 626, aka 'Stitch.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 23lilostitch - Stitch in Disney's live-action 'LILO & STITCH.' (Courtesy of Disney) Courtesy of Disney The remake keeps about 85 percent of the original plot, and a lot of its dialogue, so this recap will sound very familiar. The creation of a mad scientist named Jumba (Zach Galifianakis), Stitch was designed for maximum carnage. He's bulletproof, fireproof, smarter than a hundred supercomputers, and can learn and adapt to surroundings in the blink of an eye. Water is his only enemy, as his molecular structure will make him so heavy in water that he will drown. Advertisement Of course, when Stitch escapes from a tribunal where Jumba is being tried for creating him, he crash-lands on an island in Hawai'i, a state surrounded by water. He disguises himself as the world's ugliest dog, and Lilo (Maia Kealoha) temporarily adopts him from the pound. 23lilostitch - Maia Kealoha as Lilo, left, and Sydney Agudong as Nani in Disney's live-action 'LILO & STITCH.' (Matt Kennedy/Disney) Matt Kennedy/Disney Lilo's sister Nani (Sydney Agudong) has been taking care of her since their parents died in an automobile accident. Nani is trying to keep the family together, but she's barely an adult. The social worker assigned to the case, Mrs. Kekoa (Tia Carrere, who voiced Nani in the 2002 original), is understanding, but warns Nani that Lilo may be put in foster care. Meanwhile, an alien called the Grand Councilwoman (Hannah Waddingham) is quite ticked off that Stitch escaped. She has no choice but to free the jailed Jumba and send him to Earth to retrieve his product. The cruel and unfriendly Jumba is joined by an extroverted, one-eyed Earth specialist named Pleakley (Billy Magnussen). Pleakley's job is to keep the hotheaded Jumba from creating an intergalactic incident. Also in the mix is the awesomely named Cobra Bubbles (Courtney B. Vance), whose role here is slightly altered from the original's incarnation, which was voiced by Ving Rhames. David (Kaipo Dudoit), the tongue-tied surfer dude who's sweet on Nani, also makes the leap to this version. Jason Scott Lee, the original David, has a cameo here as well. 23lilostitch - From left, Maia Kealoha as Lilo, Stitch and Sydney Agudong as Nani in Disney's live-action 'LILO & STITCH.' (Courtesy of Disney) Courtesy of Disney As for Stitch, fans will be happy to know that Chris Sanders is once again providing his voice. Sanders also co-directed and co-wrote the original film before going on to greatness with 2010's 'How to Train Your Dragon' and last year's superb adaptation, ' Advertisement I revisited the animated version of 'Lilo & Stitch' right before my screening of this movie. I still hated the original, but I found this version a bit more tolerable. Both of the titular characters are more likable here, with Kealoha giving a good performance as Lilo. Take that with a grain of salt; I may have been slightly softened up by the sight of Stitch driving his car through the screening room before the movie started. This was cuter than anything the movie had to offer. Given my disdain, I'm surprised he didn't try to run me over. There's still time to hit me, Stitch! Because from a visual standpoint, this film is the ugliest entry in the live action remake sub-genre. The troublemaking alien Stitch and his fellow alien cronies look terrible in this incarnation. Stitch has always looked ugly and acted ratchet—I believe that's why he's so beloved—but a 2-D drawing can pull that off far better than CGI. 23lilostitch - Jumba voiced by Zach Galifianakis, left, and Pleakley voiced by Billy Magnussen in Disney's live-action 'LILO & STITCH.' (Courtesy of Disney) Courtesy of Disney Director The concept of 'ohana,' or extended family, remains a central theme in the live action 'Lilo & Stitch.' According to Lilo, family means no one is left behind or forgotten. I'm not surprised that I had the same cynical reaction to this overly simplistic philosophy in both iterations of this film. However, this version's final speech extoling the virtues of ohana moved me a little bit. Perhaps I'm becoming an old softie after all. Advertisement ★★ LILO & STITCH Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp. Written by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, Mike Van Waes. Starring Maia Kealoha, Sydney Agudong, Tia Carrere, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen, Hannah Waddingham. Courtney B. Vance, Kaipo Dudoit. At AMC Boston Common, Landmark Kendall Square, Alamo Drafthouse Seaport, AMC Causeway, suburbs. 108 min. PG (mild violence) Odie Henderson is the Boston Globe's film critic.
