With the pandemic taking a huge jab at Hollywood, studious have been put in a very sticky situation. A lot of big movies got pushed later the year, some got pushed to a date in 2021, or the rest were give a TBD or some just got dropped straight to a streaming service platform. It’s sad time for the entertainment industry, but until things get back to normal (which no one actually knows), studios are trying to do what they think is best for their product, in order for people to slowly get back to watching movies on the big screen. Originally slated for a release in March 27th, 2020, then getting bumped to July 24th, 2020, then to August 21st, 2020, to then being completely removed off the calendar entirely, Mulan was then given a release date for September 4th, 2020 for Disney+, but with a slight catch. It’ll only be available for Disney+ subscribers, but with an additional fee of $30, so while paying $7 dollars a month for Disney+, you have to pay an additional $30 to watch Mulan. But that’s besides the point. Disney is revitalizing their animated properties in the live-action format, but Mulan is the one that lends itself better because it has this cinematic quality to it. Plus, when it was announced that this Mulan was removing the singing, it sort of became this sign of the studio making a true war movie. And sure enough, Mulan is is Disney’s most faithful and honoring live action adaptation since either Jungle Book or Cinderella. The movie is wonderful. It’s portrait of humanity is full of heart and sincerity. It’s visuals are breathtaking, the action and stunt work is incredible and it honors the original animated movie and the Chinese story of Mulan.
Mulan tells the same story that 1998 animated version did. It focuses on a young woman who disguises herself as a warrior in hopes to save her family and kingdom from northern invaders. The only differences with this Mulan and the original is there’s no singing. Mulan is not the best Disney animated movie, but it’s definitely on the list of great, but the one thing that it has over all the other Disney live-action adaptations that have been released thus far is that the live-action treatment would work well in it’s favor than maybe The Jungle Book or Beauty & the Beast might. And with the musical aspect being taken away with this version of Mulan, it was proof that this version of Mulan would honor the ancient Chinese story of the character, while still horning the original animated movie at the same time. Hence, why this Mulan is an incredible achievement because its juggling two different pieces of work and it executes it very well.
It’s up for debate if Mulan is the best live-action Disney movie that’s been made. However, I think there’s an argument to be made that it might be the best looking movie, visually speaking. It’s sad that a lot of people won’t get the opportunity to see this movie in theaters, because Mulan is a beautiful and glamorous piece of art, that captures the beautiful landscape of China and the epic and luminous shots of soldiers riding into battle. Every single moving image in this movie oozes with substance and style, that make the emotional crux of this movie really pay off. Directed by Niki Caro (The Zookeeper’s Wife and McFarland, USA), who doesn’t have a lot of experience in working on movies this big, is able to show off her talents by displaying beautiful shots of China and incredible battle sequences, while still brining it back to the quieter moments and the character moments. Caro perfectly balances out the epic moments, but knows how to appropriately maneuver in the moments to develop character and further along the narrative.
The performances from the entire ensemble were also absolutely first-class. The supporting team, whether it’s Donnie Yen, Jet Li or Jason Scott Lee were all exceptional. It’s always a great to see Donnie Yen in any movie because you know that there’s a high possibility that the movie will show off his skills as a martial artist and Mulan takes advantage that in the best way possible. Jason Scott Lee might be a face that a small group of people will recognize, but as the villain, Bori Khan, is one of the best exemplifications of what makes a good villain. He’s ruthless, scary, merciless and he also features some great combat scenes with Mulan. But the scene stealer was Liu Yifei, as the titular character. She brings a lot of dignity, passion and grit to a character that means so much to a lot of women out there, but most importantly, she gives so much life and nature on bringing the character to the big screen.
The action and stunt work in Mulan is some of the best that’s ever been put to screen. The attention to detail with each battle and fight sequence was quite astonishing, but it never shied away from capturing the brutal nature and the viciousness of what war really is. The nature of war in Mulan makes it the most adult and mature adaptation thus far because, while it definitely has moments of levity, it fully embraces it’s themes of growing up, violence, and war that perfectly distinguishes itself from the other Disney animated movies that have been adapted over the last 5 years or so. Its action is dynamic, grand and it elevates its scope and thematic substance in a sincere and profound way.
Just like every other live-action Disney movie, Mulan respects the work that came before it, but it also creates something for itself. With sweeping scale, spectacular action, and a dynamic lead in Yifei Liu, Disney’s live-action Mulan updates the original in surprising, mostly-effective ways while still maintaining the spirit of its predecessor, making it the most confident Disney remake yet.
My grade for Mulan: A
Zane's take at the Cinema's 