MULAN

US, 2020, 115 minutes, Colour.

Liu Yifei, Donnie Yen, Gong Li, Jet Li, Yoson An, Jason Scott Lee, Tzi Ma, Rosalind Chao, Nelson Lee.

Directed by Niki Caro.

Disney’s animated version of this story was very successful, a female hero, a different Princess from the usual Disney stories.

In the 2010s, the Disney studios began remaking their classics in life-action form, ranging from Beauty and the Beast to The Lion King. This version of Mulan was released during the 2020 lockdowns, going to streaming services, not receiving such positive reviews. Comparisons, of course, with the animated version.

But, for those who do not remember or who have not seen the animated version, this is quite a spectacular life-action version. And, for its Asian cast, he relies on some stalwarts from Hong Kong and Chinese industries, Liu Yifei for Mulan, Gong Li and Jet Li, successful both in their homelands and in Hollywood as well as American Chinese veterans, Tzi of Ma, Rosalind Chao, Jason Scott Lee, Ronald Yuan. No difficulties with the cast.

This is a story of a young woman, strong, martial arts, devoted to family, to her father. When the Emperor asks for enlistment in her village, her old father, limping, volunteers. She then disguises herself and volunteers in his stead.

The story covers her disguise and her success as a warrior, the discovery of who she was, the relationship with various soldiers, with the authorities, and her being trusted in battle where she is successful, vindicating her heroic stature and reconciling with her father.

The film was directed by New Zealand director, Niki Caro, who made The Whale Rider but made significant films in the US including McFarland USA and The Zookeeper’s Wife.

1. The popularity of the story? Female heroic warrior? The popularity of Disney’s animated version? Decision to make a live action version?
2. The settings, Chinese past, the vivid life of the village, streets and shops, community life, the home? The countryside and Mulan is activities? The background of the war, the Imperial Palace, the Emperor and his court? The opposing force, the role of the witch in her transformations? Soldiers training, special guard, support for the Emperor, the battles? These restored? The visuals, sets and decor, costumes? Action and special effects?
3. Introducing Mulan, her place in the family, strict father, devoted mother, younger sister – and the fear of spiders? Mulan and her action, skills, tomboy? Her father’s reaction? Her growing up, was writing, weaponry skills, fast reactions and reflexes? But her father wanting her to marry, the visit to the matchmaker, the spider, the upset, broken crockery, the matchmaker disgusted?
4. The portrait of the parents, the devoted mother, the very strict father, his past military service, his leg and injuries? Patriarchal, dominating his daughters?
5. The portrait of the Emperor, his court, hierarchical? The threat to his empire? The confrontation with his enemy? Having killed his enemy’s father? The transform soldier and his message to the court?
6. The enemy, the effect of the single horseman, the gradual increasing number, their advance, the attack, Mulan and her diverging the Lance?
7. The introduction of the witch, her background, male domination, her powers, her entering into the merchant and infiltrating the town, transformation into a bird, the discussions with the rebel leader, his dominating her? Her infiltrating the surviving soldier, entry into the Imperial Court and speaking with the Emperor? Her role during the invasion? The multi-birds and the soldiers shielding themselves with shields? The encounter with Mulan, comparisons, the invitation to Malan, her refusal? Her death, her final words of affirmation to Malan?
8. The recruiter, the village, one man from every family, the father volunteering, but his falling? Malan, taking the sword and armour, the horse, writing away, disguising herself? With the soldiers, concealing her skills, concealing herself, the issue of showers and Revelation, her bathing? The exercises with Honghui, antagonism, the bathing, her stances, the revelation of her skills?
9. The commander, discipline, offenses for execution, for expulsion? The risks for Mulan?
10. The battle sequences, the resistance, the attack? The staging of the battles? The wheat and the the birds, the soldiers shielding themselves? Malan, her interventions, creating the avalanche, the effect of the avalanche?
11. Revelation, the commander, the condemnation of Mulan? Her message about the threat to the Emperor? Honghui and the others supporting her? Her being invited to lead?
12. The Emperor, the battle, Mulan and the confrontation with the leader of the rebels, his death?
13. Order restored, her being honoured, but her wanting to return home, apologies to her father, the reconciliation, the gift of the sword from the Emperor, the values including loyalty to family? Celebration in the village, her return to her military role?
14. Chinese folklore – the equivalent of a fairytale and a strong heroine?