Mulan is a 2020 live-action remake of the classic Disney animated adaptation of a young woman’s journey to save her father.
Ah, the trend of making live-action adaptations of classic Disney properties still continues to this day. This time around, we now have a new version of the 1998 animated film known as Mulan. After the release of the abysmal Artemis Fowl on Disney+ due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the studio has also decided to show Mulan on their streaming service in certain countries, but it’s going to cost you a little extra money. Directed by Niki Caro, known for Whale Rider and The Zookeeper’s Wife, she takes on the huge task of bringing this remarkable world to life hopefully in a more realistic and different way. That being said, does the remake do a good job of capturing the spirit and energy of this beloved tale from decades ago? Let’s find out!
Like the original, Mulan focuses on the titular protagonist (played by Liu Yifei) who goes on a journey that involves enlisting in the Imperial Army and taking her father’s place by disguising herself as a man. She’ll do whatever it takes to become a strong and brave warrior in order to defend China from the evil Northern invaders. It’s pretty much the same premise with some major changes that will either make you happy or disappointed with the film.
Visually, it’s beautiful to look at. Love or hate these live-action Disney adaptations, you still have to admit that the cinematography and scenery are top-notch. It’s nice seeing these unique worlds come to life, and you can’t help but feel super nostalgic about it. The action is quite exciting, and they really do a great job capturing some epic moments on screen. The slow motion can be a little jarring, but thankfully it doesn’t always compromise the experience.
While the visuals and action sequences are spectacular to look at, Mulan is obviously not a perfect movie. The cast does fine with what they’re given, but they don’t really stand out since Mulan is the only one you actually care about. The script has some noticeable issues such as awkward dialogue and pacing. Sometimes when characters start talking, it just makes you want to cringe. The remake also has a longer runtime than its predecessor, and as such does drag during some scenes. Oh and yes, the rumor is true, and don’t worry it’s not a spoiler. The scene-stealing sidekick named Mushu from the animated classic does not appear whatsoever, which is kind of a bummer. If you have seen the original, you will admittedly miss his fun presence while watching the film. Also, there are no musical numbers at all. Just with the intro alone, you can tell the movie wants to take itself seriously by having a grittier tone, which will either please or irritate the audience.
In the end, Mulan is a not a bad adaptation. If you’re a hardcore fan of the original, it obviously won’t win you over as the quintessential version of this iconic source material. While it is a little disappointing that there are no musical numbers or Mushu, you still have to praise the filmmakers for wanting to try something new. As a war drama with a strong lead character, it’s actually quite compelling sometimes.