THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE DISCUSSED FILM. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
People have heard the tale of Mulan in one way or another. The original folklore centers on how a Chinese woman fought for the army, taking the place of her ill father. A story like that deserves to be seen on screen and when the first interpretation came around in 1998, in the style of animation, I don't think anyone expected something as great as this.
PLOT
The film Mulan takes place in the 15th century where ruthless Huns led by Shan-Yu are invading China. Fa Mulan (Ming-Na Wen) secretly joins the army to prevent her father Fa Zhou (Soon-Tek Oh) from dying in action, due to his weakened health. This is a risk because she can be executed due to impersonating a soldier being a capital offense. The ancestors summon a 'great stone' dragon to protect her, but the disgraced former guardian Mushu steps in when accidentally destroying it. She does pass as a male under the ‘Fa Ping’ when reporting to a military camp, led by Captain Li Shang (B.D. Wong). Within her training, she befriends with other soldiers named Ling (Gedde Watanabe), Yao (Harvey Fierstein) and Chien-Po (Jerry Tondo). Desiring for Mulan to succeed, Mushu sends a fake message for Shang to aid his father General Li (James Shigeta). They go to the mountains only to discover that the General and his troops were massacred by the Huns. They are then ambushed by them but during the conflict, Mulan sets off a cannon that buries almost the entire opposing army in an avalanche. Shan Yu attacks her by slashing her chest before he is buried as well. She is then able to save Shang from falling off a cliff. When her injury is noticed, her identity is revealed. Because of the law, Shang almost takes her life but spares it instead, out of respect of her saving him. He does still expel for from his army before departing to the imperial city. Shan Yu and a few huns survive the avalanche and escape the snow, heading to the city as well. When Mulan sees this, she goes to warn Shang, to no avail. The Huns begin their invasion as they take the Emperor (Pat Morita) hostage. Ling, Yao and Chien Po pose as concubines to sneak into the palace and take down the remaining huns, with Mulan's aid. Shang fights Shan Yu long enough for the Emperor to be rescued by his soldiers. Mulan lures Shan Yu to the roof where Mushu will hit him with fireworks, including a skyrocket. That same rocket propels him to the fireworks tower where he dies in a resulting explosion. The Emperor praises her efforts and offers her to be his new advisor. She turns it down due to wanting to return home. He then provides her gifts to honor her family, the Emperor’s crest and Shan-Yu's sword. When she comes home, she shows her father who's overjoyed to see her home again. Shang visits her and stays for dinner while the film ends with Mushu celebrating his reinstated position as a guardian.
THOUGHTS
In the Renaissance Era, Walt Disney Pictures went bold whether or not they were trying to and this is one of the best examples. This film stands out because we are quickly invested with this adventure due to its mixed tone. While providing joyful moments for children viewing this, there are such deep moments that only adults would understand. I mean after you play a hysterical song like ‘A Girl Worth Fighting For’, we then see the remains of a massacre and no more musical numbers play after that. That is proof on how bold this animation studio can go for keeping the audience hooked. You can look at this as another hit from the said studio, but this is one of a kind. We like our titular character because she is defying the odds in an era where it would be impossible for women to do so, instantly making her the definitive (female) icon of Walt Disney Pictures. Her song 'Reflection' is so empowering because it really does define one battling identity crisis in the most metaphorical way possible, making it more awe inspiring. She may be the main character but there were others that helped continue to elevate the story as she did. Li Shang is a good character because he becomes relatable through how he wants to be a good leader, which he instantly is. But it is really is due to the respect he has for Mulan as their journey progresses that makes him likable. The romance isn't exactly there until the end because that is never important in what's supposed to be a war movie. Also his song "I'll Make a Man Out of You' is pretty motivating for anyone because it's about working hard enough to reach your goals. During that song's sequence, it is truly incredible seeing Mulan climb to the top of the tree to retrieve the arrow because it shows that if a woman like her could do what looked impossible, than you can do whatever you think is impossible. Going into the voice cast, Miguel Ferrer succeeds in making Shan-Yu sound just as intimidating as he looks. The best shot of this movie that proves it’s greats animation has to be when the character catching his sword, as that becomes intriguing yet terrifying to witness. Last but not least, Eddie Murphy becomes the highlight of the film with the role of Mushu. The energy that the actor is known for in live action projects is at perfection here. The second he shouts "I Live!", you know he's going to be an entertaining, comedic delight. I love this movie a whole lot but there were some moments in the story that I do question to this day. It is hilarious on how impressing the matchmaker fails but how did Mulan put out the fire on the matchmaker’s ass when she threw liquid on her face? Animation bends reality but that confuses me heavily. I know she needs Mushu’s help but she should not apologize for slapping him, when he acted inappropriate towards her at first encounter. Speaking of Mushu, I understand that the dragon wants to be a guardian again but it was extremely dangerous to write a false document that orders the trainees to war. Mulan may have survived but it could’ve been worse and it would be his fault. I get that men would ignore Mulan because it was against the law for women to be in the army at the time. That’s already irritating to know and because of that, Shang wasn’t phased at all when Mulan said the Huns were alive. He spared her out of respect and the least he can do is listen to her. If you ignore all of these flaws, you’ll still love this movie as much as I have. Overall, Barry Cook and Tony Bancroft’s Mulan is the best example that animated movies can express positive, yet complex messages like any other live action film. If you love girl power, see this movie now.
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