Dramatic core undermined by comic sidekicks

Rating: 7/10 (6 January 1999)

Like "Pocahontas" before it, "Mulan" is a sumptuously animated adventure made wobbly by its heavy-handed message against sex role stereotyping. Yes, we learn, women can stretch beyond their social roles, even fight in combat. Yet, the men are depicted either as noble egotists or dolts. Worse, Eddie Murphy's comic sidekick dragon is an annoyance, no doubt written because every Disney animated feature must now have a recognizable cut-up to aid their heroines. Still, the Disney storytelling strength is there.