Review: Mulan (1998)

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Mulan

Rating

Director

Tony Bancroft, Barry Cook

Screenplay

Rita Hsiao, Christopher Sanders, Philip LaZebnik, Raymond Singer, Eugenia-Bostwick-Singer (Story: Robert D. San Souci)

Length

1h 28m

Starring

Ming-Na Wen, Miguel Ferrer, Harvey Fierstein, Freda Foh Shen, June Foray, James Hong, Miriam Margolyes, Pat Morita, Eddie Murphy, Marni Nixon, Soon-Tek Oh, Donny Osmond, Lea Salonga, James Shigeta, George Takei, Jerry S. Tondo, Gedde Watanabe, Frank Welker, Matthew Wilder, B.D. Wong

MPAA Rating

Buy/Rent Movie

Soundtrack

Poster

Basic Plot

A young Chinese girl serves in her father’s place in the war against the Hun.

Review

A real role model for women in a Disney animated movie? Will wonders never cease?

It’s a dark, calm night. A guard walks up and down a large stone wall keeping watch by night. A giant bird swoops down and hits him in the head, he looks up to see a grappling hook hurtling onto the top of the tower, then a flood of them. He looks down to see an invasion of Huns preparing to come over the wall. He rushes to the top of his watchtower and attempts to light the warning fire. Only a large Hun stands in his way. We come to learn that this is Shan-Yu (Miguel Ferrer), a powerful leader.

“Mulan” (Ming-Na Wen with the singing voice of Lea Solonga) is the story about a young girl whose only hope to bring her family honor is to marry well. We understand this through the first song, an interesting melody called “Honor to Us All.” The song sets the tone for the first half of the movie and paints a refreshing picture to start of the show.

Mulan must go to meet the matchmaker to find out if she will be a suitable bride. Unfortunately, things don’t go as plans. In true Disney style, a comic, accident-filled sequence, ends her hopes of becoming a successful bride. She sulks home in dishonor.

A group of horsemen ride into town bearing a summons that one man from each household must serve in the military. Since her father is the only man in the family, he must accept the assignment despite walking with a cane.

Only after contemplating her father’s life and her own does Mulan realize there’s only one thing she can do. She impersonates a soldier and takes her father’s place.

The Fa family ancestors awaken to this tragic idea and awaken a servant who has lost his place of honor in the temple to bring the great dragon alive to go and protect Mulan in her coming battles. The tiny dragon, Mushu (Eddie Murphy), attempts to wake the great dragon but meets with failure destroying the statue and must go on his own to save her with the assistance of the most interesting cricket ever in a Disney film (sorry Jiminy).

From her training to be a soldier to the battle with the Huns and eventual victory, “Mulan” is a fascinating romp through the exquisite Chinese backdrop.

The breathtaking animation is top-notch Disney and the story is involving and strays slightly from the standard. Normally there are numerous songs, six or more. This one has only four principal songs in the beginning and then the usual Pop version of a song not in the film elsewhere and of the song “Reflections.”

The music, especially that composed by Jerry Goldsmith is wonderful. Some songs are tired, but each has a fresh Chinese beat to it.

The animation takes inspiration from classic Chinese artwork and blends it with Disney’s own style. The film has a certain crispness not seen before in an animated film.

“Mulan” is great for little kids, but adults will also enjoy it. This is the most adult animated Disney film since “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and certainly one of the best. While inferior to both “Hunchback” and “Beauty and the Beast,” “Mulan” is a fun film, exciting and breathtaking film that gives little girls a great role model and the strongest Disney heroin ever.

Awards Prospects

If the Best Picture race remains so open, Disney could see its second Animated best picture nomination. The score will be nominated, but they’ve had problems getting songs nominated. Many sound fun, but could be forgotten by Oscar time.