Should have taken itself more seriously.

Rating: Null/10 (10 October 2002)

I own the video and have watched it numerous times. I really like this film because mostly because of it's theme and some key scenes that are very moving.
What's frustrating about Mulan is that it's a really good movie whose potential greatness is forfeited to the commercial imperative of mass audience appeal.
Dramas employ light comic relief release tension. Comedies employ a smattering of drama to move the story along. Mulan tries to indulge both to a degree of contrast that is detrimental to its primary genre: drama.

The themes of honor and search for one's destiny are very well explored through the adventures of the heroine Mulan. The greatest moments in this film are when we see the courage of a young woman facing the dangers imposed both by cultural paradigm and warfare. We admire her more for dealing with both at the same time.
The problem is that too many moments are ruined with a comedic tag and the film's dramatic pace is often interrupted by obligatory slapstick comedy. I honestly don't think this was necessary. Children appreciate the story and don't need to be pandered to with incongruous comedy.
Still, the power of the story itself and the crafting of the main characters manage to stand out and hold their own despite the self-imposed comedic distractions. If the writers had given their own story the respect it deserves, this would have been a great film.