Mulan review: live-action remake on Disney Plus, a timely and poignant shot

While Disney’s live action remake of Mulan have faced several launch delays Due to the coronavirus pandemic, its long awaited debut on Disney Plus feels perfectly in sync. The movie’s messages about female empowerment, courage, and devotion to family are particularly poignant as we navigate a changing and uncertain world.

As in the beloved 1998 animated film, Mulan (Yifei Liu) struggles to find a balance between embracing her abilities and honoring her family in China. As a woman centuries ago, you were told that it is your duty to bring honor through marriage. But from a very young MulanThe parent sees that she is blessed with a special energy, or “chi.” As she ages, not only must Mulan face the struggle of hiding her abilities; her father also experiences the gut-wrenching pain of having to overlook his daughter’s abilities just because she’s a girl.

“Chi is for warriors, not daughters,” her father tells her as a child. “Soon, you will be a young woman, and it is time for you to hide your gift.”

This repeated narrative makes Mulan feel that she does not belong to either a men’s world or a women’s world. Her family tells her to “learn her place”, but that proves to be quite challenging when that place apparently does not exist.

The remake, which is punctuated by jaw-dropping acrobatics of swirling sword-wielding warriors, takes on a more serious and dramatic tone than its animated predecessor. This is evident in the absence of songs like I’ll Make a Man Out of You and Honor to Us All. While the catchy tunes are a big part of the appeal of many Disney movies, their inclusion here would have felt forced, and Mulan’s compelling story is enough to carry the movie. There’s a powerful instrumental rendition of Reflection that plays along with a poignant montage of Mulan embracing his abilities later in the movie, which feels like a nod enough to the beloved music from the animated version.

The heavier tone also means that the mood is lowered. We don’t see Mulan’s resourceful grandmother in the remake, and Mushu is notably missing. Instead, Mulan’s father invokes the power of a phoenix, a symbol referenced throughout the film, to keep watch over Mulan. The lack of humor also manifests itself in an adult Mulan who is less brave and mischievous than her animated counterpart, taking away some of the charm that makes her so relatable and adorable. But ultimately, it’s a minor loss that gives way to a focused and fearless character.

With the removal of some old characters, new ones are also introduced to us. The remake gives Mulan a sister, probably as a means of juxtaposing the unbridled demeanor of the main character with that of a “well-bred” daughter. The lucky cricket from the animated version reinvents herself as a fellow soldier named Cricket, and there are a few attempts to weave some soft humor into her role, but none of the jokes really make the landing.

They also introduce us to Xianniang (Gong Li), a witch who often takes the form of the antagonist Böri Khan’s bird. She also takes on the appearance of male victims when she needs to carry out a plan. Like Mulan, Xianniang struggles to be accepted and thus is forced to serve Khan in exchange for his promise to provide “a place where his powers are not vilified.”

Xianniang’s introduction brings a greater dimension to the story as we come to see the parallels between her life and Mulan’s. They are both outcasts who choose to dress up to fit in. The key difference, of course, is that Mulan wears her disguise to fight for good, while Xianniang stands up for evil, presenting us with the possibility of what Mulan could become if she let the bitterness of her exclusion take hold. Give Your Heart.

Xianniang’s character development and evolving relationship with Mulan is one of the most surprising attributes of the film. Watching two women fight for a place in the world as they cheer on each other is refreshing and inspiring, particularly at a time when the issues that the MeToo movement brought to light continue to impact women in all industries and walks of life. .

The ending of the film offers a beautiful resolution to the struggle between balancing personal needs with the desire to serve family. We are often told, particularly through movies and television shows, that these two priorities are mutually exclusive. It’s refreshing that Mulan can finally find her place and purpose while also showing devotion to her family.

That kind of devotion to family and helping others takes on special meaning today. As everyday life is disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic, many of us have found ourselves reflecting on the relationships that matter most. Uncertainty provides the opportunity to appreciate all that we have right now and the opportunity to support those in need. Mulan’s acts of love and devotion to her family are a poignant reminder that we can tap into our own abilities and skills to help others.

The movie is also a testament to the power of courage. As Mulan’s father tells her, “There is no courage without fear.” It is natural to feel apprehensive about the state of the world and about our purpose and destiny. But having the courage to move on and be the best and truest version of ourselves despite that uncertainty is one of the bravest things we can do. To continue fighting, against all odds, for ourselves and those around us is truly the feat of a modern warrior.

Mulan is available to stream on Disney Plus starting Friday for $ 30 in the US, in addition to the regular Disney Plus subscription fee. It will become in free to anyone with a standard Disney Plus membership on December 4. Mulan is also available in international markets such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and several Western European countries.

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