The Maleficent films have proved that quality live-action adaptations of Disney animated classics are indeed possible in the special effects era — if the perspective is shifted to the villain. Mulan at last shows that good faithful versions are likewise attainable.
It’s the first Disney reheat not tragically reliant on creepy enchanted objects (Beauty and the Beast); Will Smith auditioning for Blue Man Group (Aladdin); atrocious child actors (Dumbo); or talking animals giving emotions their CGI faces can’t pull off (The Jungle Book and The Lion King). And it doesn’t play things safe to the point of being forgettable (Cinderella).
The tale of Mulan (Liu Yifei, The Forbidden Kingdom) disguising herself as a boy to join the Chinese army in lieu of her hobbled older father Zhou (Tzi Ma, The Farewell) receives a decidedly feminist sheen under the guidance of New Zealand director Niki Caro (Whale Rider), working from a script where three of the four writers are women.
Appealing from the start thanks to her nonconformist ways and martial arts dexterity, our badass hero and her skills as a warrior are at the forefront early and often. Wisely embracing the story’s core elements that translate well to live action, the filmmakers allow the human performances to shine, utilizing stunning exterior locations, grand battles and expertly staged fight sequences, turning to CGI only for tasteful embellishments rather than relying on them.
For example, the animated film’s comic-relief talking dragon Mushu is absent (lesser artists likely would have cast Kevin Hart in place of Eddie Murphy) and nobody bursts into song, though the handful of subtle instrumental reworkings of the lyrical numbers from the original movie are a nice touch.
In turn, the performances by Yifei and Ma are allowed to more fully shine and receive ample support from a Who’s Who of talented Asian supporting players, including Donnie Yen (Ip Man) as Mulan’s leader, Commander Tung; Gong Li (Curse of the Golden Flower) as shape-shifting witch Xianniang; Jason Scott Lee (Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story) as the usurper Böri Khan; and a nearly unrecognizable Jet Li as the cool-as-ice Emperor.
But as well as these elements work together, there remains a disappointing sense of predictability and repetitiveness to the proceedings. No matter how beautiful it looks or thrilling its action sequences are, Mulan is still a standard Disney story that’s already been told — though considering the low bar set by its remake predecessors, it’s nevertheless an encouraging step in the right direction.
Available to own via Disney+
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