Ansley Dale
Reporter
Niki Caro’s vision for Mulan has been reimagined in the 2020 live-action adaptation. The film premiered on Disney+ on Sept. 4, but it was only available to subscribers after an additional $30 premium access charge. The true debate this movie poses is not if it is watchable, but rather if it is worth the extra $30 fee.
Many Disney fans had mixed feelings about another beloved animated movie being turned into a live-action film. Mulan (2020) was no different. It was a far cry from the action-packed kid's comedy. The 1998 release featured a courageous young woman who impersonates an imperial soldier to save her elderly father from perishing in the war.
There were moments to laugh and moments to cry. There were songs and fight scenes and outrageous characters.
The 2020 release fell slightly flat. All songs were omitted, aside from an instrumental rendition of Reflection, and familiar characters such as Mushu were excluded.
Hua Mulan is hardly similar to her original animated character, Fa Mulan. Instead of relaying the message that ordinary people can do extraordinary things, Hua Mulan has a predestined chi that is stronger than most soldiers. The reason the original film is so pivotal is because Mulan is not a pre-ordained prophet sent to save China. She is an ordinary woman with no intention to be a hero. Mulan (1998) allowed little girls all over the world to realize they can be heroes in their communities. Fa Mulan was more relatable because she was never described as “special” or “chosen.”
This message doesn’t translate to the remake, giving the plot line mediocre movement. There seemed to be no real fight to root for.
Mulan (2020) focuses on the gender stereotypes and roles each family member must play. While it is a powerful position to break stereotypes, as Mulan did by proving women can be strong, it doesn’t hold the same power as it intended.
There are so many mentions of women needing to stay in their places that it becomes redundant. The film also mentions several times that men have a rigid place in this world and are only allowed to fight. It builds up the toxic masculinity and then fails to address it.
However, the visuals are quite striking, and almost exactly what was expected from a Disney movie. The colors are bright, and the details are crisp. It is clear Disney can produce quality films; however, all its live-actions remakes have the same vibe. Too bright and not dynamic enough. For kids, that may be ideal, but for adults, not so much.
If you were to ask me, you should probably watch this with a friend who has already paid the $30 or wait until it releases without a fee.
It is another attempt by Disney to make more money on the content it has already created. Mulan (2020) is nothing new that you have not already seen.