Today’s quick review: Mulan. When Shan-Yu and his army of Huns invade China, Mulan, a restless young woman, dons her father’s armor and enlists as a soldier in his place, passing herself off as a man to do so. With the help of Mushu, a disgraced guardian spirit, Mulan sets out to complete her training, impress her captain, and take the fight to the Huns, all while keeping her real identity a secret.
Mulan is a historical war movie and family comedy from Disney. Mulan features clean animation, an interesting main character, and a good balance of drama and comic relief. The icing on the cake is the movie’s musical numbers, all of them enjoyable and one or two of them particularly catchy. Mulan’s only real issue is its straightforwardness: it lacks the subtlety and attention to detail often found in other Disney films.
Mulan tells its story in simple and effective strokes. Each stage of the story flows smoothly into the next, with no slow sections or odd scenes out. The comic relief from Mushu, a lucky cricket, and Mulan’s fellow soldiers keeps the tone light and kid-friendly without derailing the main plot. Mulan herself is handled well, a devoted but accident-prone daughter who shines when she puts her intelligence to use.
Watch Mulan if you are in the mood for a well-executed animated adventure. Mulan is not Disney’s most intricate work, but it hits the target it aims for and is a pleasant way to spend an hour and a half. Skip it if you aren’t a Disney fan or you are looking for something in the fairy tale vein.
7.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for a good story, effective humor, and a couple of great songs.