Mulan (2020)

The animated Mulan was my favorite of all the Disney animated films that came out in the 90s. I fell in love with Mulan`s spirit and courage. I even liked the songs, which are thankfully missing from this live action version. I can`t see the boys in the military camp suddenly bursting into song. I would have just been `weird`.

The girl we meet at the start of the movie is her own person. If anyone was born to defy tradition it is Mulan. The movie assumes that we all already have seen the animated movie and there are many shout-outs to that 1998 classic.

 

   

You all know the story. When warriors from the North threaten the Empire, one family is ordered to send on male family member to fight in the Chinese army. Since Mulan`s father (Zi Mar) only had daughters, HE was the one who had to go fight, despite being a war hero and having injuries that will make him more of a liability than an asset in battle. Because of her love for her father, Mulan makes the reckless decision to take his place in the army by pretending to be a boy.

The training sequences are exiting as are the relationships Mulan forms with her fellow soldiers. However, the whole time Mulan has to be someone she is not, despite the fact that she is just as good a soldier as any one of them. He very life depends on it.

The film is a slave to the 1998 version of the classic tale to the better in my opinion. They added an entirely new character to take the place of the Dragon and the Cricket. She is the witch played by Gong Li in a role that will make her one of the great Disney villains if only with how they write her to just be another character whole life changes just because she came into contact with Mulan. This movie is presented as being told by her Father which for me explains all the fantastical elements. Let's call it dramatic license.

Every classic part of the tale is there. Mulan does fall in love with a hunky fellow soldier. She does wipe out the enemy forces with a mountain avalanche. There is a good villain worthy of her courage for her to defeat and that killer ending when she returns home to face her Family and father. I admit I shed a tear.

Because of her unbreakable spirit, Mulan become the finest soldier in her regiment. She is stronger, better, faster, smarter and more loyal that all of them put together. Her fellow soldiers know that when they thought she was a boy. They believe it twice as much when they learn she is a girl. I don't know if that opinions of her talents are an insult or a compliment. Either way, the scenes of her and her squad really resonate with the comradery that all soldiers share. When they stand up for Mulan it's because boy or girl, Mulan is their friend and a brother in arms.

(I want this figure set very much)

Donny Len is very good as the Commander of the Regiment who believes that Mulan is the SON of his old friend, who happens to be Mulan's father. When Mulan's secret is revealed, he feels hurt and a sense of betrayal. He saw something in the Boy Mulan that set him apart from just the rest of the recruits. In fact, he thought that Boy Mulan would make a good match for HIS daughter!

The battle scenes have the weightlessness of animation and the wire work here is spectacular. Tween kids of both sexes will love this film. It's bloodless and a grand adventure of a great Chinese legend. 

Jason Scoot Lee, (An actor who was my Jason Mamoa before there was a Jason Mamoa) is a great Disney bad guy who has a mission of revenge and comes THIS close to pulling it off. 

Jet Li is almost unrecognizable as the Emperor.

The ending does have the emotional punch that it should have and perfectly sets up a sequel. I admire what female director came up with. She has created a worthy companion to the amazing animated film. I think you will enjoy it. The beautiful vistas deserve to be seen on the big screen as do the costumes but these are the times we live in.