My Thoughts: Disney's Live Action Mulan
Hey there! It's October – Halloween season is upon us. And, the live action adaptation of Mulan has been out for a few weeks now, so I figured it's fair game for a review!
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| Credit: Disney for Vanity Fair |
As some of you may be aware, as well as blogging, I also host the ChatDisney podcast – and on the podcast, my co-host Tash and I have agreed to wait until the movie is released for free on Disney+ in December before reviewing. This is so that all our lovely listeners can join in with the fun, spoiler free!
But for the eager amongst you, this review means that you're getting an early glimpse into my thoughts on the movie. Aren't you lucky!
So enjoy – and be sure to let me know what you thought of the film in the comments below.
- Mercedes
So first of all, I have to start by saying that I did not enjoy this movie.
The film has been marketed as a live action adaptation of the 1998 animated movie Mulan, but it's fair to say that this is in fact a reimagining of the traditional Mulan legend from Chinese culture. And it should be marketed as such.
I knew going into the movie that there was no Mushu and no singing – two of my favourite elements from the original. But to be honest with you, that wasn't my main issue with the film. I enjoyed the overture of "Reflection" as Mulan went into battle, and I even liked the inclusion of "it all depends on what she cooks like" and other lines from "A Girl Worth Fighting For" over the soldiers supper.
No, for me, the fundamental issue with this movie was that it was a serious, adult, martial arts film. Something I would never usually choose to watch.
I actually watched the movie at my friend Jamie's house, who's from South Korea. Half way through the film, she had to pause, so that she and her husband could explain the notion of "ch'i" to me, as I was so confused by Mulan's powers and the overall message of the film. As Salon perfectly put this, "the film is obsessed with the notion of ch'i but could not find it's own." I think that if I'm finding this message confusing, children certainly will.
Why does Mulan have powers? And why the Phoneix? And who is the woman? Is she a witch? So many questions.
I understand that Disney decided to change a lot from the film to make it more culturally appropriate – a celebration of Chinese culture. But as far as I'm aware, and I could be wrong, the original animation is hugely celebrated in China anyway!
When I went to Shanghai Disneyland for the Grand Opening in 2016, the Chinese visitors there were very happy to see Mulan and Mushu on parade, and they celebrated the Princess in attractions and decorations throughout the park. It was super positive. So I'm really unsure why so much from the original was manipulated in this film?
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| Mulan on parade at Shanghai Disneyland |
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not a complete Disney loyalist. In fact, I actually slated the live action Lion King for being TOO similar to the animated version. But there's changing things and then there's a completely different narrative, with missing characters, no music, and different themes entirely. It just isn't Mulan!
And then of course, there's the biggest plot hole of them all. In an animated movie, you can get away with creating design differences between Mulan and Ping, to make them look different as male and female. But unfortunately, this hasn't come across very well in the live action at all. As if those men couldn't see Mulan's dainty features, her slender neck. It is SO obvious that she is female, it's annoying!