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"Creativity"

Mulan Review

Starring: Ming-Na, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong

Director: Tony Bancroft, Barry Cook

Year: 1998

Like the Tarzan review this won’t have a spoiler section, but will just have a spoiler review. I just can’t make a classic movie without including spoilers, so if you haven’t seen the movie and don’t want spoilers, then don’t read the review until you have seen it. And with that I have to say my favorite Disney animated movies my favorites are usually Tarzan, Aladdin, Lion King, and Mulan. Mulan however isn’t ever thought of as one the best of these movies, but I personally think it deserves it. It is however a little different on terms of Disney movies, as usually they have a strong villains, relatable main characters with funny side characters. But usually the Disney movies have two antagonists, one between the main character’s internal struggle (For Mulan it’s gaining respect an honor for her family and herself) and there is also the villain. So although Mulan’s villain isn’t bad, he’s not that great, but with these movies not having a awesome villain doesn’t mean it’s not a really great movie. As far as the side characters go, they get the job done. Mushu is obviously great, but these movies usually have multiple animated side characters, and in Mulan only really Mushu is worth talking about. Mushu being voice acted by Eddie Murphy I feel was a great choice, and I’m fine with actors being in animated movies as long as there voice is animated. And it’s safe to say Eddie Murphy’s voice is extremely animated. And like all the old classic Disney movies there is also a lot of singing. The only really good one was "Make a man out of you,” but none of the others are really bad, they’re all good, just not usually the ones people remember. And also anyone who says with Disney movies the female role is always stupid innocent princesses, Mulan kind of debunks that theory alongside Pocahontas. And no, Mulan is not a Disney princess, I don’t care what they say, she’s not. And female respect is one the many really positive and respectable themes of this movie. And when you think about it the main theme people think of in Mulan is a lot better than just about any other Disney movie. With Beauty and the Beast it’s "Oh, well he may look like a monster on the outside, but inside there’s a magical prince!” Sorry, but to hell with that. And Aladdin was a thieving hobo who ended up living in a palace as a prince with a big blue guy and a hot chick. Sorry that’s not exactly as positive as this movie... Actually that is pretty awesome, good for you Aladdin. But not only that but one Mulan is of those rising accomplishments of standing up and being a man (which is ironic cause she’s a woman). The characters I admit aren’t that great, but they are still good, and they like I said get the job done. And the movie ultimately about Mulan’s rise from becoming a person who was told she’d never get honor, to taking out an entire army and saving the emperor. I like Mulan because it is a little bit different than the rest of the Disney movies while still being really enjoyable, and I have to say this is the hardest I’ve ever been stuck between two different numbers on a review. I went back and forth couple times, and even watched the movie a couple days later again to be able to decide, but still had no luck. But I just had to give it a nine, the highest nine I could. Tarzan just barely got over the hump to become a ten, but this was just under it, and there’s hardly a gap from how much I like one more than the other, but I’m sure if I’d actually watched this as a child, than I’d probably get more nostalgic for it, and I’d give it a ten. Also this is a movie you can appreciate more while your watching it than when it’s in memory. I hate giving it a nine as much as I hate giving it a ten, but in the end I know it’s my final decision. There are a million things I’m overlooking of course. The main villain although not the eternal conflict was forgettable and although menacing, not very interesting, and his only reason for what he did that he explains was the emperor challenged him by build his great wall. That was it? I mean he’s not bad, and his lines are pretty good, but they should have given him more time. What really just stole the show was the army. Although individually I think they aren’t that great, but together a group of idiots turns into something really cool, especially by the end. But also each Disney movie includes culture, and I think it’s cool at least one took place in Chinese culture. The Disney movie themes go from cultures from Chinese, African wilderness, the ocean, Arabia, Greek mythology hell the 90’s. These themes never go all out, but always give a good piece of the culture, which I feel is all it needs to do. Mulan I feel is underrated, and although there are even more problems that I didn’t even address, I can overlook those things and can just enjoy the movie. Most people are just good or bad with Mulan, I am above good, and think it’s really great. And when you dissect every Disney movie, the only real ones that people consider masterpieces are the Lion King and Aladdin, but when you just look over a few things, movies like Mulan are also really great. Mulan captures that Disney magic, and gives it’s own take that I personally really enjoyed.