Mulan 2020

Mulan 2020 Review

-Nicola Johnson

 

                Like many Disney fans, I could not wait for the promised live-action feature of Mulan.  The movie, originally slated for release in theaters in February 2020, was pushed back to July 2020, and when theaters were not reopened, was finally released in September on Disney+ as a Premier Access release.  As a Disney+ member, I factored in how much it would cost to see Mulan in the theater, bit the bullet, and purchased Premier Access. My 11-year-old daughter and I snuggled up and prepared to watch the live-action version of my favorite Disney role model. 

                The first notable difference between Mulan 2020 and the original was the lack of the musical component.  While there were instrumental hints of the well-loved songs carefully crafted for the original, the live-action movie had no singing actors, but the lack of vocals did not take away from the movie at all. 

                What did take a little away from movie was the lack of several characters from the original.  First, the cricket was removed entirely.  The spider that replaced the cricket in the matchmaker scene just did not do it justice.  Also, noticeably missing was Little Brother, replaced by an actual little sister.  When the animated feature came out, Disney likely went with Mulan as an only child due to China’s current one child per family policy.  However, during the period in which Mulan likely lived, that policy had not yet been enacted.  With Mulan 2020 Disney remained true to the history of China in that respect. 

                The one character that was most missed was the provider of comic relief with impeccable timing, the dragon protector Mushu.  Mushu, played by the extraordinary comic Eddie Murphy, was the one element Disney should have strongly considered keeping in the live action version.  He was replaced, somewhat, by a phoenix, which was an interesting choice.  According to Brittanica.com, in Chinese culture the phoenix is an omen foretelling harmony at the ascent to the throne of the new emperor.  In Mulan, however, she is protecting the current emperor.  We really missed Mushu. 

                Overall, we very much enjoyed Mulan 2020, and very much approved of the change in Mulan’s love interest, addition of her younger sister, and the flawless performance of its star Liu Yifei as Fa Mulan.  I simply cannot wait to see what the Chinese-American actress does next.