Mulan (2020) – Super Brief Thoughts

What? I thought we were done with the I-have-special-power-that-needs-to-be-released trope after Rey and Captain Marvel. Are you saying we have to go through it again? And without Mushu’s rice congee too??

So, 2020’s Mulan.

First off: this new film is… fine. It is a decent and admirable attempt to bring to the big screen the beloved legend of Mulan. Why admirable? Because the film seemingly made a point to please everyone on the planet.

Did it achieve that goal? Possibly.

Well choreographed fighting sequences (though at times unrealistic), a fearless protagonist, brilliant sceneries, cultural elements woven into the narrative in a very Disney fashion. From a child’s point of view — because after all, children and teens are the target audience — there is not much that is wrong with Mulan.

What prevents the film from reaching its full potential — or to be specific, reaching the Disney magic that makes stories and characters memorable — is that it tries too hard to be correct that in the end, it is exactly just that: correct.

THE NEW MULAN

Many versions of the story, a different director, a new vision — this film tells a Chinese story but it is also made for international audience, specifically audience of Disney, and it should be judged from a viewpoint where there’s some leniency towards historical inaccuracy or costumes that are too colorful.

So, the only thing I will discuss in depth (well, kind of) here is the character of Mulan, because she is what matters the most to any child who sits in front of the screen.

This version of Mulan, from a young age, has had exceptional skills and abilities. Her father encourages her to enhance those abilities and be herself, but at the same time… not to go overboard with it (?). Okay, Dad, a little confusing but I’ll let that pass.

Her struggle throughout her journey is not much about sacrificing her female identity to take her father’s place in the army, it is about her unwillingness to release her full power. A female lead who is different and fearless and needs to show the world that she is.

Is there anything wrong with that? Well… not technically. But how many times have we seen this characterization already?

From Disney, at least twice. Jasmine (Aladdin) doesn’t simply want to marry for love anymore, she is fearless and wants to become a sultan. Belle (Beauty and the Beast) is no longer just a kind-hearted girl who yearns for adventure, she is fearless and wants to promote literacy for women and invent things. See what I’m getting at? Every single female character is bound to turn out the same if we force on them the same values without focusing on the struggles that make them unique.

Mulan is skilled from the start; therefore, there is no life-changing moment when she decides to charge into the harsh world of men and war where she might just get squashed on day one. There is no hard work or real suffering during her training because her solution is the Force inner energy called Qi (chi) she just happens to have a lot of.

Don’t be afraid to be who you are — yes, the message is well received. But what if Mulan did not have that special inner strength that she eventually decides to unleash?

The only meaningful relationship Mulan has is with another woman — a witch who fights for the enemy’s side — who also happens to be ultra special in terms of skills and power.

Not sure how ordinary girls are supposed to relate to this, but all right.

All being said, you can say that Mulan makes a lot of brave choices and she is still, in general, a good role model. So… at least kids are not seeing what they are not supposed to see when they watch this film. Loyal, brave, and true it is.

For those who are already familiar with the story and are looking for more depth in a retelling, the best things you can get out of this are probably: Qi, back flips, and awesome hair.

ACTING

Pffffft, you really think I can be serious enough to discuss acting?

Well, I will say this: yes, Liu Yifei is a little stiff, but to be fair, she has some good moments, and she makes up for the stiffness by dancing fighting beautifully, I guess.

Bori Khan, Mulan’s mentor, Mulan’s father, guy with a crush on Mulan, etc — no fault with their acting, but we need to see (a lot) more to know why we should care about their characters.

OTHER THOUGHTS

No, I did not recognize Jet Li at first.

Does the witch just want to adopt Mulan or what?