Starring
Liu Yifei
Donnie Yen
Jason Scott Lee
Jet Li
Directed by Niki
Caro
Disney’s Mulan
live-action film delivers action scenes that will leave you in awe. The
cinematography is stunning, and the fight sequences are magnificent. Yes, I
missed Mushu, and the screenplay doesn’t quite match the charm of the 1998 animated
classic it’s based on, but this is still a beautifully made,
nerve-wracking movie.
What Disney did
here was replace all the Mushu moments with drama—enough drama to last you
through September! Director Niki Caro did her best to shape the film so that
the absence of Mushu wasn’t too glaring.
One thing I
really appreciated was how they portrayed Mulan as smart and resourceful,
allowing her to survive a pivotal attack because of her strength as a woman.
The turning point happens about an hour in when she embraces her true self.
From that moment, the movie shifts into a higher gear, and I found myself
completely caught up, moving with her through the battles like I was right
there fighting alongside her.
If you’ve seen
the animated
Mulan, you already know the basic storyline. But instead of Mushu
guiding her, this time, we get a phantom phoenix filling that role.
The plot starts
by introducing us to a young Mulan, who is extraordinary because of her strong
connection to her chi. (Yes, the movie leans into some gravity-defying
effects.) However, her family views her abilities as a source of potential
disgrace, insisting she needs to marry to restore honor. Despite her struggles
to fit the mold, it’s clear that Mulan is a skilled fighter with impressive
acrobatics.
The conflict
arises when the Rourans attack China and threaten the Emperor. In response, he
decrees that every family must volunteer one man to join the war. Mulan’s
father, a former war hero with a bad leg, prepares to go, but Mulan can’t bear
to watch him suffer. She secretly takes his place, stealing his armor and sword
and disguising herself as a man.
As Mulan trains
to become a warrior, she faces the challenges brought on by her disguise while
her army battles the advancing Rourans. The stakes rise dramatically as the
truth about her identity begins to unravel, culminating in intense moments
where the Emperor’s life is on the line. These nerve-wracking scenes pack
plenty of emotional weight and action.
For me, this
movie ranks as my fourth favorite Disney live-action adaptation, following Cinderella
(2015), The
Jungle Book (2016), and Alice
in Wonderland (2010).
When it comes to
casting, the film doesn’t rely on A-list stars to make its point. Even Donnie
Yen and Jet Li play supporting roles to Liu Yifei, the leading lady. That said,
her public support of China over Hong Kong led to calls for a boycott of the film.
Despite this controversy, I think it’s a fantastic movie worth watching.
Mulan’s release
was delayed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Disney eventually
chose to release it as a video-on-demand offering on Disney+. This move was a
financial gamble, with reports suggesting the film needed up to 10 million paid
views to break even.
Based on how much I enjoyed the movie, I wish them all the best. Mulan is a must-see, even for younger viewers. Rated PG-13.
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