Mulan (1998)

Directed by: Tony Bancroft, Barry Cook
Written by: Robert D. San Souci
Starring: Ming Na-Wen, Eddie Murphy
Rated: G

We've grown accustomed to Disney's new streak of films focusing on independent women who break the mold since their 1989 rebirthing "The Little Mermaid", but even that was becoming formulaic. What a surprise and a beautiful addition to their collection is "Mulan", a fast-paced story of familial devotion, gender norms and camaraderie which proved a huge leap forward in the story telling of the great, animated giant. Full of terrific music, colorful characters and an action-packed plot, Disney's Far Eastern story will prove to be one their best progressive jumps forward.

The Huns are approaching China from the north. An opening scene shows monstrous, fanged men in muddied, muted colors as they scale the impenetrable Great Wall with blood on their minds and the emperor in their sights. A call to arms is sounded and one man from every household is required to fight to protect his leader and his homeland. The historical inaccuracies are rife no doubt, but the threat is perilous and the drama is grand.

Mulan is a the daughter of a great but crippled warrior who seems to be the black sheep of the family. Fiercely devoted to her family, she is nevertheless devoid of the awareness of custom and patriarchal sensibility that surrounds her, and although she is of marrying age, the girl just doesn't seem to fit the specifics that her environment has set out for her. Poor Mulan for all her good intentions wears a scarlet 'A' upon her breast. But when her father's summons comes and she realizes his impending peril, Mulan steals off into the night disguised as man in order to save the life of her dad. Aided my a motor-mouthed, pocket-sized dragon/ancestral guardian named Mushu (voiced perfectly by Eddie Murphy--one would think that the man was made to talk), Mulan enters the army disguised as Ping with the heavy hand of Death looming above her.

Complex stuff, no? Mulan must learn to act like a man, for if she doesn't she runs the risk of being found out, and in this setting that means death. But her tomboyish nature, her penchant for breaking rules and her quick problem solving skills will prove to be invaluable, especially in the last third of the film which is almost entirely made up of beautifully drawn action sequences set against a poetic backdrop.

I appreciate this film for a number of reasons. First and most importantly is the character of Mulan herself. There have been plenty of "strong" female characters who have fronted the films of Disney's second Golden Age--Belle, Ariel, Pocahontas--but they have always challenged authority because they were in love with some superficially attractive male figure whom they knew for a few weeks (I guess with Belle it was a bit longer, but roll with me). For Mulan, however, it was all about a sense of duty, of honor to the nuclear family and to a belief in the importance of ancestry. Even when Mulan does meet that very handsome man in the army whom she will undoubtedly marry, it is not for him that she stays in the army, but rather to prove that she can bring a sense of honor to the Fa family, and for that she is wholly commendable and terrific role model.

I also appreciate Disney's endeavor to introduce children to a culture that will be largely foreign to them. Although as a historian I certainly disapprove of trivializing an entire nation of people whose empire stretch further than any other as barbaric Huns, the film nonetheless attempts to introduce Buddhism and general Chinese culture in an accussible and endearing way, through charming characters and lively songs, and for that I find this to be an important piece of cinema.

Lastly, and although I have previously touched on it I will spell it out, this film does not take the intellect of the audience member lightly. This is a movie that adults and children can appreciate for the depth of its protagonist and for the many questions raised by its content. I almost feel that this would have done better as a live action film set for adults. It absolutely works for a younger audience, but to allow a filmmaker to explore the nuances and problematic issues raised by a woman in a man's army is something that does not deserve to be contained by a G rating.

In sum, this is a rich and lovely piece to add to your Disney collection. And although Mulan may not technically be a princess, she certainly deserves to be among the ranks of Cinderella, Aurora and Belle.

3.5/4