Disney gets a little provocative.

Rating: Null/10 (20 September 1999)

This is one of the best Disney films of the last several years. Although it does mostly conform to recent Disney formula with the goofy little sidekick, beautiful hero and heroine, evil nemesis, and use of magic, it is unique in several ways. First off, this is not a musical per se. I believe there are only 3 or 4 songs and none in the second half, so we are given more opportunity to enjoy the characters and story. Mulan is not all that original a character, yet her historic magnitude and awkward charm make her more interesting than most of her predecessors. The intensity of the narrative is also more compelling than most of the vain and selfish interests of previous Disney tales (e.g. Arial's and the Beast's desire to be human, or Jasmine's and Quasi's want for a sensitive mate.) This tale is true selfless heroics; defending one's nation from apparent Juggernauts. Although the Huns lack the colorful persona's of their predecessors, they are terrifying antagonists more in the vein of Warner Brothers *The Secret of Nymh* and *Anastasia* rather than Disney. The artwork is quite daring, in that the animators tone-down the overwhelming colors and spectacular backdrops we are used to, and go for more bleak and austere landscapes, foreboding settings, and compelling virtual camera angles and framing, all of which enhance rather than distract us from the film's focus.