From 2010 onward, Disney has partaken in a rather questionable trend of readapting its animated classics in a live action format. Though a great deal of these remakes hold the nostalgic presence and visual appeal necessary to help the Mouse House turn a profit, they often fail to recapture the heart and magic displayed by their predecessors, as they mostly turn out to be nothing more than shot-for-shot remakes which only make slight efforts to differentiate from the originals.
“Mulan,” the most recent product of the remake trend, shockingly deviates from this formula, instead providing a much more grounded, serious iteration of the classic story in comparison to the 1998 animated version. Those expecting the film to be a humor-filled musical with glaring similarities to the original may be disheartened by what they will see. Those hoping for something which captures the essence of animated classic, while ultimately presenting a fresh, different take on the story, will be pleased by the results.
Though it maintains the basic plot and messages of its predecessor, “Mulan” takes a refreshingly deviant approach toward presenting them. Rather than a musical comedy, the film is a rather serious war film, which sees the title heroine (Liu Yifei, “Hanson and the Beast”) as she takes her father’s place in a war against the Hun army. Though the war was a major plot point in the animated version, it seems to focus more on the lead up, as the last act is devoted to battle scenes. The remake, on the other hand, places a much greater emphasis on the war itself, presenting heavily stylized and well-shot action scenes which appeal to the eye at a far greater level than the CGI extravaganzas which past Disney remakes have used.
A majority of the film gleams with vibrant colors and beautiful landscapes, which sheds the Chinese culture which it is trying to emulate in a positive light. Even in darker scenes, director Niki Caro’s (“The Zookeeper’s Wife”) attention to detail shines frequently, as the elements and weather are used heavily to amplify specific emotions. Overall, the film, from a visual standpoint, is quite beautiful and is remarkably so without being reliant on digital imagery.
Though the story ultimately presents itself in an entertaining, unique manner, it still possesses its own flaws. Primarily, the film seems to have been made with the expectation that everyone who sees it has previously seen the original. The first act feels rather rushed, as the film seems eager to dive straight into its newer elements, rather than rehashing bits from the original. The character of Mulan is slightly altered into that of the stereotypical trope of a “Mary Sue,” or one who possesses exceptional abilities or skills without any discernible source of training. We are given only a slight glimpse into her development as a fighter and soldier which typically had taken up a majority of the animated film.
Though some changes may slightly hinder the story’s capability of being completely thorough, its serious nature and willingness to go further in showing its protagonist in action makes it all the more empowering, as we witness Mulan face adversity on a much greater scale. “Mulan” stands as one of the better Disney remakes, as it encapsulates the spirit and theme of its beloved predecessor, all while providing something new, and perhaps more effective, for audiences to take in.
Image from Walt Disney Studios via YouTube
