Movie review: Live action version of ‘Mulan’ combines feminism and culture

Although many will know Mulan as a Disney cartoon, this new 2020 live-action movie is completely different.

The 1998 animated version was a much loved Disney gem and led to a sequel. However, the latest version of Mulan offers a more relevant and vital trajectory to the original story.

Directed by Niki Caro, this action-packed drama follows the classic story of Hua Mulan (played by Liu Yifei).

Mulan is a young Chinese woman who disguises herself as a man in an effort to take her frail father’s place as a warrior.

Chinese representation in ‘Mulan’

Set in Xiamen in China, the film is dedicated to the representation of the Chinese people. Despite roots in traditional Asian culture, it embraces modernity through action sequences and remarkable special effects.

Throughout the film, we witness Mulan’s gradual transformation from an impulsive rebel to a mature and noble leader.

Over the course of her journey, she manages to find her voice and reject patriarchy – something that resonates with women today.

A feminist heroine

Mulan’s mother (played by Rosalind Chao) is quite conservative. She reminds Mulan that a daughter is meant to bring honour to her family through marriage.

However, Mulan’s rejection of traditional femininity proves that a submissive path to womanhood is not in her future.

The choreography of the action scenes and battles are elegant as Mulan moves through the soldiers.

After the avalanche, the camera portrays both armies – the Imperial Army and the Rourans – evacuating. This means the viewer gets to see both sides of the battlefield.

They try escape the onslaught of snow while Mulan saves her love interest, Chen Hongui.

This is also where the narrative rejects tradition. This time it portrays a woman as the hero, unlike the “prince” in typical Disney stories.

Mulan in 2020 is no Disney princess

Mulan in 2020 is quite different from the 1998 Disney film, which showed very little action for a movie about war.

That earlier animated version showed mostly the aftermath of ransacked China. It then built up to the final battle with Shan Yu at the end.

In comparison, in Mulan’s final battle with Bori Khan in the live 2020 film, the mood is quite tense. It comes to a stunning conclusion as her supernatural abilities lead to Khan’s death.

There are various other instances where Mulan promotes feminist sentiments. When she’s finally honest about her identity and lets her hair loose (literally), she is declaring her liberation. She is also embracing her identity completely in an expression of self-love.

Multi-talented Mulan

Although Mulan does not include the original songs which were in the animated version, Yifei gives a Mandarin Chinese version of Reflection.

This plays along with the credit list at the end of the film, after Christina Aguilera’s version.

Yifei also did her own stunts in the film’s fighting scenes thank to her martial arts  abilities. A multi-talented queen!

Mulan features veteran Chinese actors such as Tzi Ma, perhaps best known for his roles in films Dante’s Peak and Rush Hour. It also features Jet Li, Donnie Yen andGong Li, who plays Xianniang, the shape-shifting witch.

If action-packed martial arts, horse stunts and cultural expression interest you, the 2020 Mulan is for you.