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Jack Bottomley
Media Correspondent
8:43 AM 20th September 2020
arts

Review: Mulan

 
Any other year it might seem strange that the most controversial film of the year (well, until Netflix’s Cuties landed recently) is a live-action take on Mulan, but in 2020 it is just another day at the office.

Grabbing headlines initially because Disney went back on their word to cinema chains and opted to release the film on Disney+, with a rental charge on top of the subscription cost, this would eventually prove to be only the tip of the sword, for what has to be one of the most troubled releases for the studio in some time.

From whitewashed production team accusations to the much publicised political debate surrounding the filming locations and its lead star’s views and a potential boycott, needless to say this has not exactly gone to plan.

But, lets get down to business and discuss the film. Because having had the chance to see Mulan, the feeling is truly one of disappointment, for a number of reasons. 1.) Because this very cinematic feeling feature has not been given the big screen treatment it deserves (and as such feels wasted on smaller screens) and 2.) Because when we cut through all the backlash, this was actually rather great live-action update of the animated Disney tale.

Taking an incredibly different approach to the original, whilst maintaining the bones of the story, this Mulan is a far more action-packed and dramatic reflection of the source material. It sees young woman Mulan (Yifei Liu), in Imperial China times, feeling as though she has to hide her true self in order to marry a good husband and bring honour to the family. However, when a call is put out by the emperor for every family to offer up a man to fight the fierce forces that are aiming to takeover the empire, Mulan cannot let her ageing and frail war hero father Hua Zhou (Tzi Ma) answer the call and instead takes off with her father’s sword and armour to fight, and in the process allow who she truly is to emerge.

Whilst taking away elements of the story that meant a lot to fans (wisecracking dragon Mushu, the lucky cricket, the musical numbers), director Niki Caro’s film instead warmly nods at such ingredients, with a particularly gratifying cameo, many easter eggs, a twist on the family guardian figure and Harry Gregson-Williams’ often excellent score using the musical flourishes of some of the songs.

Caro’s Mulan is the same story but also more charged with empowerment and identity. Admittedly this means that this new take lacks some of the magic and humour of its inspiration, but escalates the scale and drama, in a resilient story of defying borders to fight not only for what’s right but so you can be true to your heart.

It truly is a crying shame it was not put to the big screen, as Mandy Walker’s incredible cinematography and the film’s scale feels somewhat caged on smaller screens but it still bursts out powerfully at points. In particular during a mid-film battle sequence that reminds a touch of the No Man’s Land scene in Patty Jenkins’ gold standard comic book belter Wonder Woman, as Mulan throws aside her tools of concealment and becomes who she was meant to be in the midst of battle.

It may not all be completely slick (some awkward editing distracts a handful of action scenes) and some characters feel like they should have more to do, in particular side antagonist witch character Xianniang (played with real heart by Gong Li), whose arc is quite powerful and deserved more time to spread its wings.

However Liu captures the essence of Mulan in the lead (despite the unfortunate real life circumstances), Donnie Yen and Jet Li are fun as Commander Tung and the Emperor respectively and Tzi Ma is brilliant and emotive as Mulan’s father, who wrestles with being supportive but also is pressured into following the rules of the era and times.

Mulan is unmistakably a film many have (and will have) a lot to say about but sadly, a lot of that debate will not be about the film itself, but the mounting controversies, which is a pity, as this take is very strong, well crafted and passionately told, and it really deserved cinema space.

PG
Director: Niki Caro
Starring: Yifei Liu, Donnie Yen, Tzi Ma, Jason Scott Lee, Yoson An, Ron Yuan, Gong Li, Jet Li
Release Date: Out Now (Disney+)