Under the orders of the nightmarish Shan Yu, the Huns have stormed the Great Wall of China and are threatening to destroy the entire Middle Kingdom. To protect his people, the emperor decides to raise a large army, calling on each family from each village to provide a man ready to fight.
After completely missing an interview with a matchmaker her parents wanted her to meet, Mulan, a young girl from a small village, learns that her aging and tired father is mobilizing to meet the Huns. Unable to bear such injustice, she decides to leave him in his place. Having stolen his sword, armor and horse, he cuts his hair and disguises himself as a man to join the army.
To help him, his ancestors decide to send him a rather unexpected travel companion: a little dragon named Mushu.
- Tonight with the Family: This Disney may not have been the best of the 90s, but it was epic!
Disney coming off the beaten track
Since the end of the 90s, the Disney studios continue to produce masterpieces and prepare to end this special decade as they began. Not content with mastering their core assets to perfection, they don’t hesitate to take risks and explore territory with each new feature film that the Enchanted Kingdom flag has never flown before.
So in many ways, Mulan is outside the box. First, because it is the first Disney to be geographically located in China (aside from The Jungle Book in 1967, no other animated film from the studio has ever gone to Asia). Then because it’s a real war movie (a genre that’s also been used very little by the company’s artists so far, even if Pocahontas has drawn the outlines of a battle between two peoples).
A heroine unlike any other
And finally, because it has a completely unique heroine. Even if the first films of the 90s already significantly developed the profile of their female characters (for example, with Ariel, who defied her parents’ authority to realize her dream, Belle, who bravely stood up to the monster or Esmeralda, who firmly defended her beliefs. All the citizens of Paris before), Mulan reaches a new stage.
In this way, the feature film manages to create a main character who is lovable, deep and interesting, but also brave, bold and strong. Perfectly combining her sensitivity and determination, she manages to earn a place of honor (with swords, fans and missiles) in a world ruled by men while continuing to femininity as the standard.
In addition to the many qualities of the heroine, Mulan is also a great film with its songs (especially special like a man), for his technical prowess (the charge of the Huns literally brings down the savage in The Lion King ) and his omnipresent humor (thanks Mushu!).
What will you like…
- The secondary characters of the film, most of them are very funny. Therefore, Mushu, but also the beloved Kri-ki, as well as Mulan’s three training companions: Ling, Chien-po and Yao.
- The impressive final battle of the film, in the palace of the Chinese emperor.
What could be bothering them…
- Shan Yu, the leader of the Huns, is undoubtedly one of the most terrifying villains in Disney history.
(Re)discover our video dedicated to ‘Mulan’…
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
