Ming-Na Wen

Eddie Murphy

BD Wong

Miguel Ferrer

Harvey Fierstein

Freda Foh Shen

June Foray

James Hong

Miriam Margolyes

Pat Morita

Marni Nixon

Soon-Tek Oh

Donny Osmond

Lea Salonga

James Shigeta

George Takei

Jerry Tondo

Gedde Watanabe

Frank Welker

Matthew Wilder

Tom Amundsen

Arminae Austen

Mary Kay Bergman

Susan Boyd

Julianne Buescher

Steve Bulen

Corey Burton

Mitch Carter

Robert Clotworthy

David Cowgill

Sally Dworsky

Beth Fowler

Donald Fullilove

Elisa Gabrielli

Jack Gilpin

Sandie Hall

Richard Steven Horvitz

Linda Kerns

Matthew Labyorteaux

Conan Lee

Dana Lee

Edie Lehmann Boddicker

Luisa Leschin

Christina Ma

Susan McBride

Haunani Minn

Edie Mirman

Mark Moseley

Patrick Pinney

Peter Renaday

Maurita L. Thornburgh

John Walcutt

Claudette Wells

Eugenia Bostwick-Singer

Tony Bancroft

Jerry Goldsmith

Raymond Singer

Barry Cook

Rita Hsiao

Chris Sanders

Pam Coats

Philip LaZebnik

James Baker

Craig R. Maras

Caroline Cruikshank

José Luis Gil

Ángel Fernández Sebastián

Rita Salgueiro

Rui Paulo

Dave Kupczyk

Rob Bekuhrs

Aaron Blaise

Michael Kelly

Brian Ferguson

Kendra Haaland

Dave Tidgwell

Dean A. Zupancic

Lon Bender

Terry Porter

Mel Metcalfe

David 'Joey' Mildenberger

Ric Sluiter

Shawn Keller

Robert S. Garber

Hans Bacher

David Zippel

Peter DeSève

David Reynolds

Barry Johnson

Chris Williams

Burny Mattinson

Ed Gombert

Joe Grant

Julius Aguimatang

John Sanford

Lorna Cook

Thom Enriquez

Floyd Norman

Tim Hodge

Alexander Courage

Mulan Collection

Animation

Family

Adventure

Mulan

Walt Disney Pictures

Walt Disney Feature Animation

United States of America

English

普通话

princess

daughter

china

homeland

villain

musical

sexism

training

cricket

based on true story

female protagonist

dragon

east asian lead

war hero

based on song, poem or rhyme

luck

great wall of china

gender disguise

based on fairy tale

female warrior

hand drawn animation

father daughter relationship

action comedy

woman disguised as man

celebratory

joyful

<em>'Mulan'</em> is good Disney.

There's a lot to enjoy about this film, it's not without a few less entertaining parts but overall it's one that many will like. The plot is pretty fascinating, even if it isn't as dark or in-depth as it could be.

Ming-Na Wen gives a more than acceptable performance in the lead role. Eddie Murphy, though, is definitely the most memorable voice from this. I don't love his character, who is a bit too cartoon-y and looks out of place, but Murphy is simply funny, in what certainly feels like a precursor to his role in the <em>'Shrek'</em> franchise. None of the other cast standout, yet still give what's required.

Animation-wise it's nice, while a few of the songs are catchy. I don't, as already alluded to with Murphy's Mushu, overly rate the character design. Aside from the aforementioned, I also don't like how Shan Yu (Miguel Ferrer) looks - he, at least to me, just looks angry all the time rather than terrifying or threatening.

I do class this as a film worth watching for sure, the pacing helps keep things enjoyable.

Manuel São Bento

If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @
https://www.msbreviews.com

2020 brings us yet another Disney's live-action remake. After new versions of The Jungle Book, Aladdin, The Lion King, and many others, now comes the time for Mulan. Therefore, I decided to go back in time and relive one of the latest installments of the Disney Renaissance Era. As a kid, even though I was (and I still am) far from being someone impacted by the Chinese culture, I always enjoyed the movie for its story, characters, and of course, its memorable score. However, for some reason, it never became one of those Disney classics I revisit every year. This might very well be only my 5th time watching this film, which for someone born in the 90s like me, feels weirdly short.

This is probably the first time I watch Mulan since I was an innocent young teenager, so I was definitely intrigued to see if my overall opinion would change a lot or not. Well, enough of the suspense, I love it! I appreciate it a lot more than when I was a kid, without a single doubt. In fact, if I could only choose one movie to be remade in the live-action format, Mulan would be my ultimate choice, simply due to its epic and cinematic feel. Not trying to take away from the compelling story and incredible characters, but when it comes to live-action, Mulan has everything to deliver a chill-inducing visual spectacle. This film proves how 2D animation can feel so powerful and emotionally overwhelming.

As with every movie from the Disney Renaissance Era, the animation looks gorgeous. Dozens of jaw-dropping shots resemble the epic scope of Lord of the Rings. The action sequences are incredibly riveting and innovative, placing the main character in situations where she needs to act smart. Jerry Goldsmith's music plays a vital part in the narrative. Not only it develops characters in a meaningful way, but it helps the story move forward with fun and entertaining songs. Once again, the action set pieces are also elevated by this score, which offers a whole other cinematic layer. Technically, Mulan is one of Disney's best animated flicks ever.

However, as usual, the two pillars of any film are what people end up saving in their hearts and memory: story and characters. With so many writers attached to screenplay credits, I'm genuinely surprised Mulan has such a well-written, well-structured, emotionally resonating narrative. Packed with culturally significant storylines, it's hard not to feel enthralled by Mulan's (Ming-Na Wen) arc. A daughter who goes to war by stealing her old father's spot, protecting him from certain death, while also trying to honor her family. A woman who wants to be more than just a wife to some man. Fighting against the menacing Shan-Yu (Miguel Ferrer) and his army, but also against condescending stereotypes and ancient society rules.

Ming-Na Wen gives Mulan a powerful voice worth remembering. After more than twenty years, her journey is still an inspiring tale not only to every woman and young girl on the planet, but to everyone who lays eyes on this movie. Captain Li Shang (BD Wong) also has his own arc of trying to prove himself worthy of being called Captain. Against all the odds, he still trains his troops and honors his own father. Ling (Gedde Watanabe), Yao (Harvey Fierstein), and Chien-Po (Jerry Tondo) are hilarious, but also essential to help save China from the enemy. Shan-Yu works perfectly as an intimidating presence, even though his motivations follow the generic villain formula.

Now, prepare yourselves because my only issue with the film might be a hot take. I'm sure that as a kid, I loved Mushu and all of his jokes. He also has a compelling storyline in the same way as other characters. However, watching the film now, I can only hear Eddie Murphy perform a few jokes like a standup routine. When I listen to Mushu, I don't think "oh, that's Mushu". I think "that's Eddie Murphy". It's a remarkably somber, dark movie to match Disney's trademark humor, so the tone's balance must be perfect for it to work. Mushu might bring the necessary levity with a lighthearted joke here and there, but overall, he's the main reason why sometimes the film loses track of when to take things seriously and when to be funny.

All in all, Mulan is one of the most culturally significant animated classics that Disney possesses. Even after two decades, its story inspires every single person who sets eyes in this magnificent piece of cinema. Its emotionally compelling narrative is packed with epic action sequences elevated by a memorable score, which also helps develop characters and carry the story forward. The eponymous character's arc still resonates with many people today: a journey of proving one's self-worth, family, and breaking stereotypes. With a terrific voice cast, almost every character holds a captivating storyline with their own clear motivations. Visually, it has a cinematic feel that no other Disney animated flick owns. Tonally, the balance could be better. The tragic, somber, dark war is present throughout the whole runtime, and while some levity and humor are definitely welcome, some jokes stand out as unnecessary, and Eddie Murphy's Mushu is way too silly during certain moments. Having in mind the target audience, one can't complain too much. It's a little nitpick in an otherwise phenomenal movie, one that I recommend to every reader so that you can all be inspired by it like so many people all around the world.

Rating: A-

CinemaSerf

Disney heads East for this fantasy adventure, this time based on an ancient myth from Imperial Chinese folklore. The Hun hordes are attacking the ancient kingdom and the Emperor must rally every troop he can to defend the nation. His riders travel far and wide calling upon all his men to join the army. They arrive at the home of "Mulan" and rather then send her ageing father, she decides to impersonate a boy and go join the fight. There is plenty of action in this much darker animation; the evil "Shan-Yu' has devilish, piercing eyes and the use of darker colours and hues - alongside heavy drum-based themes from Jerry Goldsmith goes some way to project a decent sense of menace on the latter half of the film. "Mulan" herself, though spending half of the film pretending, turns out to be a feisty heroine easily the match of her male counterparts. So, why only 3/5 - well: Eddie Murphy drove me mad. "Mushu" was as irritating as he was noisy; a hammer to crack a nut - so overblown as to largely ruin the film for me.

Mulan( 1998)

THE FLOWER THAT BLOOMS IN ADVERSITY IS THE MOST RARE AND BEAUTIFUL OF ALL.

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A review by r96sk

Written by r96sk on Thu Jul 02 2020

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