Mulan (2020) is the Disney live-action remake of the animation movie with the same name that was released back in 1998. And like the weak soul I am, I also paid $35 AUD for ‘early premier access’. Can I first commentate on the price cuz if this movie did come out on the big screen, I’d wind up paying $28 for tickets and a large popcorn. But then again, tickets would cost at least $70 if I’m watching this with my family in the cinema. So $35… I lowkey find it worth it but at the same time, I kinda regret it.
Things you need to know before we start the review: I may be Asian but I have no right to commentate on the accuracy of the portrayal of culture and historical accuracies since I’m not Chinese. I also watched the original animated film and its sequel (ouch on Mulan 2 btw) and really like the animated version a lot. I’ll make a man out of you is my favourite song in the soundtrack (second goes to Lea Salonga’s rendition of Reflection). Lastly, I watched the live-action with my boyfriend who LOVES the Disney Renaissance animations. So in this review, I will also be sharing some of his thoughts as well.
A quick TLDR before I go into detail – it’s an ok movie. I enjoyed it, but at the same time, I’m like ‘wtf did I just watched’. My boyfriend, also the same.
The elephant in the room – #BoycottMulan
I know there is some criticism when it comes to watching Mulan. I have expressed my thoughts on my support of the Hong Kong protest. So I understand protesters when they plea everyone to boycott the movie. But I also was looking to watching it since the live-action production was announced years ago. But at the same time, it was only the lead actress who showed support towards China & the Police Brutality.
I don’t want to be a hypocrite or an asshole just for watching a movie. I remember some of my friends messaging me on Facebook to not watch Eurovision in 2019 due it being hosted in Israel and the apartheid that’s happening in Palestine.
If you want to watch the movie but not question your morals or ethics, the closest thing I could recommend is piracy. I know it’s illegal but we all know the impacts of piracy in relation to the media industry. But also, you shouldn’t feel guilty for supporting one thing, yet consuming something that goes against it. It’s part of the cancel culture mentality and shame/stigma (looking at you Beauty Community). Also – in saying that that will support my case – my boyfriend wanted to watch Mulan because one of his favourite content creators has a minor speaking role in the film and he wanted to see him on screen.
The good stuff
Before I go nitpicky and share some issues, I will share what I like about the film.
I kinda like that it’s now a live-action. The animation, partially, the looks of the characters looks like stereotypes of how a Chinese person should look at the time. Also, I kinda like the aesthetics the live-action showed. IMO, It looks better compared to watching ‘The Great Wall’, where the lead are white.
Also, Cricket deserves protection! He’s wholesome and innocent and I can’t believe he winded up into the army.
This may be an unpopular opinion – I also think that it was a good idea to remove the comedic characters like the cricket and the dragon. Don’t get me wrong, Eddie Murphy was great but if you watch the two side by side, I don’t think adding those characters back is necessary. In fact, it will just feel like a Marvel movie where they act serious but will put jokes in between and I will just cringe while watching.
I’m a bit sad that they removed the ‘cutting of the hair’ scene. That one was iconic in my opinion. But apparently, that scene was deemed offensive towards Chinese audiences.
I will admit this – I did enjoy watching it. But there are some problems.
It’s no longer a musical, but the songs are still there
Yep, they got rid of the songs. And I think that was a good decision. Mulan is based on a Chinese story/legend about a female warrior (if I remember correctly). But the use of the instrumental in some of the scenes is a good way to keep the nostalgia going for those who watched the original. I also slightly find it disappointing that not all the songs were featured. I also think they overplayed Reflection. It’s a good song, it’s iconic and it’s the most recognizable when talking about the movie (like A whole new world with Aladdin). but Idk… I guess that’s just me with overplayed songs (like Part of your world in The Little Mermaid). But yeah, I’m glad that some of the original songs made it to the movie as instrumentals.
It’s like watching a bunch of other movies all at once
When my boyfriend and I watched this movie, one of the things we commentated about is how some scenes felt similar to other pieces of media we watched in the past.
Here are a few examples:
- When they talked about ‘chi’ – it reminded me of Kung Fu Panda… but I prefer how Dreamworks did it rather than Disney.
- Xian Lang was sitting at the emperor’s throne – Avatar Last Airbender when Azula was on the throne in Ba Sing Se.
- Mulan said ‘Till next we meet Hunghui’ – The 100.
I know movies have repeated lines that make it cringy or recognizable from other movies and pieces of work but they’re usually subtle. This just feels on the nose.
Speaking of Chi…
So Chi is like a superpower now???
In Kung-Fu Panda, Chi is something that kung-fu masters can achieve if they find true peace. Chi is also an energy that can be taken and given back. You know… balance.
In Mulan however, Chi is a skill or spirit energy that both men and women can harness. But for some reason, it’s only the women that can harness it’s full potential and can become… shapeshifters??? Is this legal???
I swear, the men are shook when they see Mulan (or in this case Hua Jun) using their abilities. I’m like ‘can’t you do the same as well’. You know what would be cool? IF BORI KHAN CAN USE CHI THE SAME WAY!!! At least it wouldn’t be like a ‘secret superpower that for some reason only the women in this film can use’.
But yeah, chi gives the user superpowers rather than just some energy that you can channel to help clear your mind and make you more attentive in battle (at least that’s what I got when I watched Kung-Fu Panda 2).
The characters are… interesting
They removed certain characters that made the movie iconic and either added new ones or changed them entirely. Yeah… I have mixed feelings about that.
The change of commander – that’s alright. It’s cool that the leader is someone who fought the previous war. Hunghui and Mulan’s friends, kinda still resemble the old crew one way or another… but also, don’t kinda like that Hunghui became the new ‘love interest’.
I love how the emperor… someone who’d you’d expect to be strict on tradition and culture, just accepts Mulan and tells her to ‘get up, you’re a mighty warrior’ during the final battle. When watching that, I see it as him just saying anything just so his ass can be saved. EVEN MY BOYFRIEND AGREES WITH ME!!!.
In the original animated film, the emperor was mad towards Mulan. He was close to casting her aside despite her efforts. But Mulan showed she’s capable of saving China and deserves respect.
If Mulan came to the Imperial city before Bori Khan or met the emperor beforehand and he criticized her for being a woman with the ability and skill of a warrior, it would make so much sense for to be like ‘Ah, she’s gifted and I shouldn’t shove in stereotypes’.
The phoenix.. oh my god… I mean, it’s alright but… it’s just a symbolism centrepiece. Also… phoenixes are more western rather than eastern. The way they describe it is more seen in fantasy fiction (eg: Harry Potter). I know the father prayed for the phoenix to guide Mulan but to me, it felt like if Ho-oh in Pokemon followed Ash throughout season 1 rather than it just appearing once and have its image appear in a few episodes.
But the bad guys… oh boy. I don’t want to sound racist and I’m only saying this out of observation. But the bad guys look more middle eastern rather than Asian origins. When I first watched this, the first thing in my head was ‘are they supposed to represent the enemies of the Chinese empire’. I just wind up seeing it as Middle East vs China due to the costumes.
Pandering to feminism and the PC movement but it feels… forced
Look, I’m all for representation. I’m praying that one day, we’d see a show that represents demisexuals so I can point to my friends ‘I TOLD YOU SO!!!’ If you want to do something that shows proper representation – Watch Black Panther. They did that really well!
Mulan… feels so forced that some people think they’re still representing Chinese culture wrong. In my opinion, I think the writers went to Subtle Asian Traits, see how the youth see their families, did little research on ancient China, and put it into the movie for the sake of ‘relatability’. No fam… it doesn’t, it really doesn’t. One of the big reasons I wanted to watch Mulan is to see a powerful Asian character. Instead, I feel like watching a K-Drama from the early 2000s based on Ancient China.
Also, the ‘go girl’ feminism message… uhhh. I mean it’s great. ‘Don’t let a man tell your place’ and ‘a woman shouldn’t just be a pretty face/stay in the kitchen’. But the message feels very forced. This is why I prefer watching KIDS SHOWS than this. At least kids shows are now trying to be less on the nose and make the message a bit subtle.
It’s an ok film but if something ain’t broke, don’t fix
I liked the live-action, it’s great. But watching it in today’s environment makes it harder to appreciate it. Also, there was nothing wrong with the animated versions so why make it live-action. I know I wanted to see the live-action back in the initial announcement but due to PC movement + world affairs, it’s hard to watch it without those outside world contexts.
Do I regret paying $35 for the premier access? Slightly. I would watch it again if I was younger and is unaware of the political landscape. Part of my hesitance for appreciating the adaptation is that it’s the environment we live in now compared to when production was announced.
If you’re aware of world politics – just wait for it to come out in December or pirate it. If you’re a family or still innocent about the world around them, go watch it. You’re young and and you shouldn’t let outside influences control what you consume because you’re still growing and innocent.
Rating: 3.5/5 – it was fun but it also feels repetitive and forced. But I would watch it again if it wasn’t for the political environment.
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