Mulan

Rating:
Summary: Girls Can Do Anything
Review: Mulan is a wonderful story of a young woman who sacrifices her life to save her Father and her family. Along the way she learns that she can do anything she sets her mind to do. Both my daughter (age 5) and son (age 2) love this movie and I always remind them they can do anything and be anything if they just try their best.

This is not a typical Disney movie with a Princess being saved by a Prince. Disney missed their mark on this movie. Disney had a chance to market a heroine and strong female role model to young girls of all ages and instead they still back their princesses. Tell me, does anyone know a real Cinderella or Snow White? Wouldn't you rather know Mulan?

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding movie for kids of all ages.
Review: Mulan is the story of a young girl who seemingly is out of place in her locale. She's a bit of a klutz around the house and when she goes for an evaluation by the all important, she makes a shambles of the whole process. None of these actions are intentional, they just seem to happen to Mulan.

The turning point comes when there is an invasion of China from the west and able bodied men are summoned to join the Army. Mulan's father, though not really fit, feels he must answer the call as he has no sons to send to serve the emporer. Mulan hears of this and she disguises herself and runs off to the Army. Here she is still disastor prone but when the training is done and the crunch comes, she proves herself to be all too competent and courageous, ultimately gaining the thanks of the emporor himself.

This film is extremely well crafted. The villians are typcially dark, brooding and sinister. You know as soon as you come across them in the opening scenes of the film that they will not be good for China. Violence is more implied than actually scene or it is indirect such as an avalanche that Mulan creates to save her unit buddies as they prepare to be over run by the human wave crashing down on them. Villages are over run but there is no on screen gore, more just wrecked homes and scattered childrens toys. The weasely snitch from the royal court is extremely well done. He soon reveals that he is more at home with palace intrigues than roughing it with the troops.

I found this to be a good film and with some parental preparation, it should be able to be viewed by all children, not to mention adults. I found it to be a highly entertaining, and at times moving, film. I recommend it to all.

Rating:
Summary: Not one of Disney's best but somewhat good!
Review: This movie is not one of Disney's best, for one reason, the songs are bad, they are not memorable. So I can't give this 5 or 4 stars. But is this supposed to be funny, it had gotten an Academy Award Nomination for Best Orignial Musical or Comedy Score - Matthew Wilder, David Zippel, Jerry Goldsmith. Both those nominations is what this movie doesn't have or does depends on who you ask. Is Mushu (voiced by Eddie Murphy) funny? If you want to see or hear Eddie Murphy be funny, watch Shrek or another comedy movie. If fact, if you want to watch this rent it, don't buy this film, buy Shrek instead.

Rating:
Summary: More Disney Magic - Historically Accurate Legend
Review: There are too few "girl" heroes in stories. According to Chinese legend, Mulan, the only child of an aging soldier, disguised herself as a male to take her sickly father's place fighting evil invaders. While in the diguise of a loyal soldier to the emperor, Mulan falls in love with her commander, who does not suspect the deception. When Mulan saves the entire battallion, what she managed to hide up to that point is discovered: She is a girl masquarading as a man. Rather than punish Mulan with death, the commander sends her away (presumably to die). In the end Mulan is honored with a medal for bravery by the Emperor himself. Although "only" a female, she had saved the entire empire from certain doom. -- The finest moment is the scene where her father says "I am proud to call you daughter". Legend or history, this is a fine example of telling a story centering around a girl, rather than the countless tales celebrating boys as heroes. Like so many other recent animated Disney features, this one is another masterpiece!

Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: Wonderful animation, great music. Inspirational story with a lot of humor dispersed throughout. Thematic topics include family unity, working hard and fighting for what is important. Kids were enhralled and would easily watch again or recommend it to their friends. Their comments included: "I liked learning about the Chinese culture and I'd like to go there someday." "It makes me wonder about girls in other cultures." "Mulan was strong and brave." Best for 7 to 12-year-olds.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Disney Film!
Review: Mulan is a great film for Disney lovers, especially for the type that gets annoyed by "damsel in distress gets saved by prince charming." In this movie, Hua Mulan (I own a Singapore comic book by the same name too) is brought upon the matchmaker. It's tradition, for any of you who don't know. Now, Mulan is uncertain, since she'd rather do something else noble to please her family. Even her father doesn't thing she can make it through. He calls the ancestors, who get a rude awakening. Not trying to spoil anything though. This scene is the funniest part, where she leaves a permanent mark on the matchmaker, a rather bad one. She meets an amusing little cricket Krikee. He's so adorable! Another interesting and hilarious character is Mushu (voiced by Eddie Murphy.) He's wisecracking, all the same. Meanwhile, the Huns are invading China. Her aging father has been recruited. Mulan, fearing for her father's safety, decides to fight for him, posing as a man. Oh yeah, her name at the army camp is Ping.

The conclusion is excellent. You will not want to miss this movie. Ming-Na does a good job for the voice of Mulan. Even though the heroine sings like all the Disney leading ladies, you will be amazed at her fighting skills. Zai jian!!

Rating:
Summary: Superior Animation, great film
Review: After the "new wave" Disney animation films reached its zenith with the "The Lion King", the past few animation features has been rather lacklustre and dull compare to the likes of "The Little Mermaid" and "The Beauty and the Beast". BUT, with "Mulan", this film reverse this downward trend and restore disney's reputation.

"Mulan" was surprisingly good. It deals with with family honor, war and feminism, not the traditional topics of a Disney feature. The chief female chracter, Mulan, rescues his prince charming instead of the (usual) other way around.

Mulan is based on a ancient Chinese poem. Nomadic barbarians have invaded China (disney use the Huns)and every male head of every Chinese household has been conscripted to defend China and fight the invading army. Mulan's father, being old and crippled, could not stand a chance to survive, so Mulan impersonated a man to take his father's place and therby saves him. There she joins the Chinese army and prepares to fight the barbarians.

In Disney's version there is the comedic sidekick dragon "mushu', voiced by Eddie Murphy and a lucky cricket. However what distinguish this film from its Disney predecessor is the serious portrayal of war and honor and feminism. Mulan holds her family honor dear and was willing to saccrifice er life for it. Also, she uses her brains rather than macho gut instincts to defeat the Huns. (and saves the handsome hunk).

In addition, there is a grand epic feel to the film. The sight of a huge Hun army advancing down a snowy slope is a truly impressive sight, no doubt inspired by David Lean. The background landscape and Chinese costumes are also fairly accurate and awe-inspring for a Disney film. Instead of looking like the typical sterotyped Western view of Chinese, the Chinese in Mulan actually dress quite like what actual ancient Chinese dress like. Credit must be given to the research the Mulan team has done.

Overall, this is a highly recommended film for dealing with issue such as honor, death and feminism, you won't see that in other Disney flicks.

Rating:
Summary: Disney's strongest release in years!
Review: We are among the first in line at the theater-release of a Disney movie. I was skeptical of this movie, not being familiar with the plot, but I was not prepared for the emotional tour-de-force that awaited me. A strong heroine, comedic relief (provided by Eddie Murphy and Harvey Fiernstein) and a powerful film score (Jerry Goldsmith) combine to make this the most thrilling Disney movie since "Hunchback."

5 incredibly exciting stars!

Rating:
Summary: Definately One of the best productions of Disney
Review: This title is fantastic...the story line is good... and very engaging. It will keep you waiting for what will happen next. In the begining the going is kid of slow.. but once Eddie Murphy's character comes in, the the actions, the jokes, the laughs, and the gags never stop. I have to hand it to Disney they gave the perfect role to the perfect guy. No know could have ever executed the role like Eddie. The Humor of Eddie, which resembles the comedy standard of RAW (but much cleaner) will definately keep the more mature audiance cavptivated. And in the end the whole fable and story is nice and communicates well with the mind of young children. Definately a good movie, and a must buy for collectors. I have to take my hat off to the makers for this. Keep up the good work !!

Rating:
Summary: A Great Movie
Review: Although Disney's movies have not been up to standard recently, this movie was an exception. The animation was very colorful and vivid. The songs were all fun to listen to, and the vocals were great. If you are considering buying this movie, go ahead! It's great!