"When Will My Reflection Show Who I Am Inside?"
As Disney was about to reach the end of their renaissance area, they had to get a lot out of their legs in order to stay the powerhouse company that was making animated classics after the cultural impact The Lion King had on both the company and the animation industry in general. Their next film after Lion King was to put it nicely, not very good. Even though Pocahontas did get some awards and was a decent box office hit, the quality of the film negativity affect how audiences will proceed on how they feel about Disney going forward, despite of the decent critical and box office results of Hunchback and Hercules. However, Disney decided to take things a little differently with approaching with their next feature, Mulan. Based on the poem, Hua Mulan As they went back to what made their renaissance films worked so well, while also taking unqiue approaches within its story, characters, and themes. The final result is for the most part nothing short of spectacular. As this is one of my favorite films in Disney history (top 3 to be exact).
Now to to get the flaws out of the way, since there’s not a whole lot to complain about in this otherwise amazing film. For one, the villain is super weak. Sure he has a cool design and has some menacing presence into him, but I felt like he could have been handled better as a character and feel like an actual threat to our characters. Especially when he and Mulan doesn’t really share any scenes together outside from its ending. Also, I’m sort of mixed on Mushu. On the one hand, he does have his share of funny moments (like the scene where he introduced himself to Mulan), and he does a solid arc within himself. But on the other hand, I felt like he’s a bit distracting (obviously not discrediting Eddie Murphy at all, he does a good job as the character) and doesn’t work as well with the rest of the film as other elements do. Also the some of the slapstick and cartoony feel at times feel a little jarring and out of the place (mainly with the first 15 mins). But those are tiny things that don’t affect the overall film on a bad note.
What makes Mulan so great is through the lens of how it can take the simple story and giving it’s extra layers of complexity and depth than what can precise otherwise. Taking the source material and the legend of Hua Mulan and expanding it to a feature film doesn’t seem like its much to do, and it seems so easy to slap dash it with no real effort to it. But the team lead by directors Barry Cook & Tony Bancroft went out of the way to not only bring honor to the legacy of Hua Mulan, but went beyond the limitations one can do with this story and makes it truly amazing out of it. For starters, the animation and art work here is nothing short of Devine beauty. From the designs of its characters, to the art work that matches more the lines of Chinese culture than your typical Disney film, to the blending of 2D and 3D animation in different scenes that comes off so seamlessly, to the beautiful backdrops, the animation is amazing. Showcasing the natural progression Disney has gracefully shown with their animation throughout the years, while also not being afraid of experimenting different styles that goes in lines with the type of film and culture they want to show.
I also appreciate the tone the film went with. As the more serious and somber tone works into the film’s culture and atmosphere and giving the dramatic and emotionally tender moments the more weight it needed. Which is aid to the great visual storytelling and incredible score by Jerry Goldsmith that gives many scenes of the film more memorable and that more affectively (like the scene where Mulan is shaping up into her new armor as an example). But the script also gives enough humor and moments of joy/excitement to make appealing to both kids and adults while giving them the respect they deserve. I have discuss about the musical score and how great it is and such, but even the songs are also solid enough to work both on their own and service the story and characters in an affective way. The highlights songs wise are easily I’ll Make A Man Out of You, which is an absolute banger that doesn’t need to go as hard it doesn’t need to be, and the beautiful ballet, Reflection. As both songs thematically work together to filled with the themes of identity and building strength within your self regardless of what others may think.
Which leads me to discuss the true brilliance of the film, it’s characters and themes. The story is pretty pretty simple and easy to follow, but as the old saying goes “the simple your plot is, the more opportunity you can dive into the complexity of your characters and themes”, and the screenplay does a great job giving the characters and themes a lot of extra layers of depth and complexity that even leads into unique commentary and deep look of both the gender roles, Chinese culture, and the inner strength within ourselves that even lens to natural and respectful representation that works naturally within the story and characters.
This speaks true within the tile character her self, Mulan. Who’s hand down one of the best (if not the best) Disney princess we ever had. As she goes through a such fantastic arc. Starting the film as someone who was honoring her family and country as a means of the societal standards. But throughout the film, we see that every choice and decision she makes is giving more proof that she wants to being someone that she can be through her inner strengths and emotions while still showing the love and honor she gives to her family and country in a greater sense she had before. Even at points her she doubts her own strengths and decisions, she still goes through it all because she knows it’s her heart to do so, and that’s what makes her journey that more believable. She’s not badass for the sake of being the tough badass, she’s badass because she uses her strength and confidence to put into all regardless of gender roles. Which is all aid to both the fantastic screenplay and the incredible voice acting from the great Ming-Na Wen bring the character so much depth and groundness (as well a sense of relatability) more than any Disney Princess would before and afterwards.
The supporting cast are also utilized very well both on their own and to service of the films great themes. From Li Shang being a very good captain, to Mulan’s 3 friends providing great comedy and fun personalities, to Chi-Fu being a great commentary about the egotistical nut head men who complain about women taking control of everything that’s even true into days culture, and as much I’m sort of mixed on Mushu, he still works solidly enough as a comedic character and does has his share of great moments every now and then. Not to mention that he gets a solid arc within his own.
Even the script’s diving into the themes of gender roles, honor, trust, the horrors of war, finding the inner strengths, and embracing new sides of you are expertly handled. Giving each them the right amount of screen presentation to be explored within the progression of its story and characters that not once comes off as jarring or forcefully annoying like a lot of films today. It even gives open ended view points of gender roles and the toxic push for hyper masculinity and femininity, and how we need to progress as a society. But once again, keeping things simple yet complex for anyone to show. It’s not afraid to take risks at times while also keeping strong and emotionally dense as well.
I know there’s a lot to discuss about this film, but I can’t help it. It’s too damm good. Mulan is one of the best and finest additions to the lineup of Disney animated films. Filled with beautiful animation, solid songs, a great line up (for the most part) of characters, strong thematic depth, and giving so much depth and compelling elements that not only gives the legend the honor it deserves, but a new line of the image to be love and adore for generations to adore for years to come. It’s truly a great film to watch and revisit every now and then. Because for me, this is something that all Disney films should strive to be. Also this would oddly work as a great double feature with Treasure Planet come to think of it.
Rating; 9/10
No comments:
Post a Comment