Review of Mulan (2020) by Mortis86K — 07 Jun 2021

A travesty in film form. Disney have absolutely perfected their method of taking their best work and reducing it to its worst possible version.

I cannot understand why they changed so much of it. Mulan is already a superhero. She is literally born perfect with magic abilities. No flaws, no problems, and no issues to deal with except for being too awesome as apparently being a superhero just isn't proper for a lady. There really is nothing to this character. She doesn't have to develop or confront any obstacles. She just becomes even more awesome.

The original Mulan was clumsy, free spirited, clever, loving, caring, and loyal to her family. She tried her best to be the daughter that her parents and society wanted her to be, even if it wasn't who she was. The scene in the Match Maker's ceremony gives makes us empathise with her. We know this isn't what she's meant for, but seeing her try and fail makes us want her to succeed in her inevitable adventure. In this abomination they had to invent a sister for her to be the clumsy one (can't have Mulan be not perfect), and when chaos erupts she breaks out the super powers and perfectly catches tea cups with grace, poise and elegance - exactly what the Match Maker is apparently wanting. But she fails because she's too awesome...how does that even make sense?

Anyway, the army comes along and conscripts her father. She talks about it at dinner and her father suddenly turns from this chill encouraging character into a table thumping "back in the kitchen, woman" dude...which makes no sense.

We all know what happens next. Solemn contemplation, a storm brews, lightning crashes, epic music, she takes her father's armour and sword, cuts her hair, and suits up and becomes....wait...no. We get a camera cut and it's done. THE BEST MOST SYMBOLIC, EPIC AND HARD HITTING SCENE IN THE ENTIRE FILM REDUCED TO A 2 SECOND CAMERA TRANSITION.

Honestly at that point it was obvious was we were in for. Do yourselves a favour, just watch the original. There is no life to this movie. There is no emotion, no empathy, no epic swell of satisfaction, no humour. It may be colourful and well shot but it's like sprinkling rainbow sprinkles on a grey cake made out of newspaper.

It's also hard to comment on the lead actress' acting, as I'm not convinced she did any. I felt more emotion in the sand scene between Anakin and Padme in the Star Wars prequels. Remember young girls and women, to be accepted as you are you must be born with superpowers and be perfect from your first breath. You must never fail, you must succeed and be the best at absolutely everything and never have to try. This is the message of this film.