Making a Woman Out of Mulan

Rating: 10/10 (2 December 2019)

In their live-action revival of Mulan, Disney redefines the standard for modern princess tales in this new and improved take on a beloved children's movie. Watchers who went to see the original Mulan will be met with many familiar faces in this film, but the movie they grew up with is a far cry from this remake.
Liu Yifei gave a compelling performance as high school junior Mulan, whose soccer team is cut due to a lack of funds. When the boys' coach refuses to give her or her teammates a tryout, they devise a plot to disguise her as her brother so she can train with his school's team during preseason and beat her own school. Mulan navigates a new school and team, all under the nose of her watchful and traditional parents.
This film provides great entertainment with its vibrant cast and twists on the original tale. In the past, Disney's attempts to express different cultures have fallen short in their representation. Karo incorporates a plethora of elements of Chinese culture in Mulan's everyday life, namely in her home life and relationship with her parents. She is a relatable, average teen, yet she is also faced with navigating what it means to be a first generation American. Karo's directing style preserves the humor of the original Mulan but revitalizes what it means to make a kid's movie with great potential for impact.
The one arguably integral character that was missing from this live action take was Li Shang. Older audiences might have been shocked to see him missing from the screen; after a few scenes, however, it was easy to see how Mulan didn't need him to complete her goal and provide a fulfilling plot.
Although this film is a far cry from serious, it manages to down the same female stereotypes that Disney has set out to do for decades far more effectively than the original. Mulan proves not only her own might, but the potential of her entire girls soccer team and any other girl out there to be successful at their passion. Audiences both laugh at Mulan's antics and rejoice with her in her triumphs. The evolution in dialogue with her parents also tackles the cultural pressures she faces.
Despite any minor shortcomings in this light-hearted film, Karo's Mulan beats out the first Mulan film in what it takes to create a feminist 'princess' movie. This film is fun, creative, and inspiring, and sure to empower tiny female audiences everywhere.