Hi folks! Welcome to my My Own Personal Nerdy Disney and Animation Scrutinizing Analysis blog. A blog where I'm analyzing several Disney films, Disney or Animation in general! These entries are just meant to be my analyses. Not reviews or statements. Just fun analyses! Though I'll make some personal remarks now and then, the content of these entries are meant to be depicted objectively. They're made for entertainment purpose only and the pictures/clips are copyright Disney or other companies.
Make sure to leave a comment if you like this site! And if there's something you think could be improved, please let me know. But in a constructive way, please. And just a note; I'm not a Native English writer, so my incorrect grammar may be notable.
And finally; If you haven't seen the films, beware of spoilers! And the funny lines aren't meant to be nothing than funny. So I hope you won't find them offensive. If so, I apologize
Now
that I've written about almost every Disney film from the 90's, I
thought I could write about an Honorable mention (yes, this pun was
intended ;)
There's always ups and downs in every motion feature company! But this is certainly relevant to Disney! It's remarkable how some of their timelines have been automatically labeled as Golden Eras (despite their initial lackluster reception) while others have been labeled as the opposite. The 1990's timeline, however, which has certainly been perceived as the Renaissance period, is especially perceived as one of Disney's Golden periods. And it's not strange to see why. Disney produced a string of elaborate, polished, compelling and captivating films that captured the hearts of both audiences and critics alike. Despite this, the perception of the Disney Renaissance has been perceived individually.
Technically the Fab Four (if you'll count The Little Mermaid among them) are the ones who technically belongs to that period. Since some of the followers were perceived as duds (cough, Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, cough) and the latest films in that decade were not as cherished as the earliest films, it's pretty fair to state that the Renaissance truly was between Mermaid and The Lion King. However, there's no still denial that every Disney film from the 90's had their own impact and is still remembered today! The unfortunate exception has been (as aforementioned in my previous entries) The Rescuers Down Under, who suffered to low opening and lack of promotion.
Mulan`s Position in the Disney Renaissance
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| We're playing "Simon says". And Simon says learn to fly ;) |
In many ways, Mulan was a semi-redemption for the Disney Renaissance, who's reputation and Box Office numbers had been decreasing after Pocahontas (yes, I know this is subjective, but it's hard to dismiss that the films from 1995 to 97 were perceived as inferior by the major public).
The vigor of Mulan isn't by it's Box Office numbers. But at least it made more than it's two predecessors, Hunchback and Hercules ($120,620,254 Domestically and $304,320,254 Worldwide). Mulan gained better criticism than it's post-The Lion King predecessors. It's truly had the opposite fate of it's predecessor Hercules, which was an heavily promoted film with low Box Office result. Mulan was modestly promoted and did better! Perhaps a sign how the world was getting tired of the overwhelming promotion of every annual Disney release. So these factors pretty much confirms Mulan's redemption staple. And non-Disney releases were finally starting to break the Box Office. As DreamWorks much hyped The Prince of Egypt and The Rugrats Movie (actually).
Mulan was made by a rookie directing team, Barry Cook and Pumbaa's animator Tony Bancroft (both of them having a brief cameo in the climax). Both were directors from the get-go and oversaw the long production (five years). Mulan was also the first film to be entirely made in Disney's Florida studio, which would later on produce Lilo & Stitch and Brother Bear (both original stories).
The Girl Power Aspect
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| Yes, it`s crowded here |
Something that also the title character of the Disney knock-off Anastasia did, released the year pior. As did the heroine of the panned and overlooked Quest for Camelot (yes, I'll confess it's a guilty pleasure of mine). A movie that has strikingly similarities to Mulan (a farmer girl, feminist agenda, father/daughter-bond, dragon and a similar villain)!
Mulan has to become one of the boys, gaining their acceptance and using their manly qualities as a tool. Which she also did in the original poem. Due to the unfortunate fate and status of several Asian women, it's not strange to see why the story of Mulan is so heralded through Asian history.
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| Don't be fooled, it was actually heavy to hold it. |
Though the story-team were tempted to depict Mulan as a misfit tomboy who goes to war (which was going to happen to Brave's Merida), they never fell for it. Though they were tempted by modeling the story after Tootsie. However, initially the story crew completely overlooked the original intention of the poem and portrayed Mulan as an unhappy misfit who left home due to selfish reasons. Chris Sanders eventually realized that Mulan's actions would be just as Belle from Beauty and the Beast; Another heroine who takes her fathers place to save his life.
Remarkable how Mulan is able to have some male features as a soldier (beauty of animation, able to cheat). But despite her lowering her voice (The Joy Luck Club's Ming-Na Wen), she never speaks the whole time as a guy, which was an intentional choice by the directors (due to it seeming contrived). There's no secret that Mulan was added to a certain Royal Franchise (and therefore included in an episode in Sofia the First). But since I've already tapped into that discussion, I'll leave it for now.
Mulan`s Modesty
If there's an adjective to describe Mulan, then it's modest. While it's not to dismiss that it's an ambitious movie, it feels overall more modest and subdued than it's Renaissance counterparts. While all of the features of the 90's were more or less grand epics, Mulan feels more intimate and minimalist (which is due in many aspects of this movie). At least in my opinion.
Another Non-Caucasian Title Lead After Pocahontas and Their Similarites/Reception in China
Due to that we got the first non-Caucasian title lead since Pocahontas, the comparisons to her movie was inevitable. Heck, several people praised Mulan at the expense of the Native Princess! But it's funny that besides sharing spirited title-characters (with similar hair), both movies have a theme in common; Invasion and a war between two races! Whereas Pocahontas stresses the message of love and peace to solve the war, Mulan goes the complete opposite way!  |
| We're the Snow Rangers. At least we invigorated a new name ;) |
The Huns (resembling the gang of Aladdin & The King of Thieves) are the antagonists and the films mission is to defeat them. Which Mulan does in the iconic and spectacular avalanche scene of this movie (way to go, Disney). The iconic, 90's CGI moment of this movie! A computer system called Atilla (funny enough) was made for that sequence, which resembles the wildebeest stampede from a certain feline movie. Also a cue from Pocahontas (and from Lion King as well) is the casting of ethnicities to play the parts. Asian-Americans were cast in the roles, despite not all of them having to be Chinese. Famous Asian-American actors as George Takei (First Ancestor), B.D. Wong (Shang) and Pat Morita (The Emperor) were in, though Caucasians played some parts as well, as Harvey Fierstein (Yao) and animation veteran June Foray (Grandmother Fa).
It's odd and peculiar how sometimes Disney casts ethnicities to voice the characters in some of their movies and others don't. While it shouldn`t be an obligation, it's still nice that`s it's done. And while Caucasians have been cast to play their characters ethnicites, the fuzz have been more evident in Non-White parts (Frozen had absolutely no Scandinavian actors in their parts, a departure from Pixar's Brave, who mostly had Scots in their parts). Mulan was never a hit in her home country. Though the portrayal of Chinese people in this movie didn`t create as much havoc as it did with Aladdin, Pocahontas and The Princess and the Frog, at least Mulan was praised for depicting Chinese with realistic eyes (despite portraying the Huns rather differently). As with Pocahontas, Mulan was rumored to be a real person, though it's just a rumor this time. The origins of Mulan just happened to be a legend. Though this havoc hampered Pocahontas, Disney could now legitimately claim to tell "the legend of Mulan" (which was this film`s original title)
The Chinese Influence
What's notable about Mulan is how steeped it is in Chinese culture (despite how Chinese found Disney's version too Americanized). Heck, perhaps the most dedication that Disney's ever done to a culture! The creative ink-calligraphic opening is certainly evident of this! And it's visual look, having a subdued Chinese style by production designer Hans Bacher (Lion King) and Art Director Ric Sluiter (Lilo & Stitch). Chinese artists worked on this film and the minimalistic backgrounds reflects the minimalistuc Chinese approach, as little space and details (which was a challenge for the detail-loving layout artists). While some reviewers have ranted about this approach, Mulan is overall worshiped for it's look.
The Asian casts has already been mentioned, some of them sounding Authentically Asian (as Pocahontas Native parts did). The Chinese tone is also influenced in the music, as Honor To Us All is sampling a traditional Chinese stock melody that most people associates with China. But unfortunately not all Disney scores reflects their cultural setting, as Hercules, The Emperor's New Groove, Frozen (yes, it had the Norwegian folk chant as stev, but it could've been more used) and even Disney's other semi-Asian feature Big Hero 6.
Several animators supervised two characters, which was an unusual task for a Disney animator during the 90`s. Mark Hehn supervised both Mulan and her father, Fa Zhou. Ruben Aquino supervised Li Shang and Mulan's mother Fa Li (Li synergy, huh?). And Tom Bancroft, Tony's identical twin brother, supervised Mushu.
Mulan`s Renaissance Components
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| I'm exaggerating for the case of the art :) |
True to Asian costume, Mulan is given away to marriage as her story begins, though for once she's not given an suitor (which is a nice twist to the story,
though it was a deliberate one, as she became too unlikable for rebelling against marriage for selfish reasons, which meant that she had to be willing to fulfill it). Mulan herself is a failable, yet relatable role model. Despite a few blatant mistakes, she comes across as a healthy, good role model (which the directors were praised for, according to the audio commentary). But personally I've found her more vivacious and spirited at the beginning and becoming duller later on (ironically enough).
After two (obviously) orphaned heroines in Esmeralda and Megara, Mulan was the return to the stock-daddy girl that was reused through the nineties. Fa Zhou belongs to the tall, patriarchal father type, as Triton and Powhatan. But remarkably Mulan is given both a mother and a grandmother (and Ancestors, haha). While Fa Li may be personality-deprived, her inclusion was intentional, to reflect Mulan's future role as a Chinese wife and bride. Grandmother Fa may recall Grandmother Willow, but at least is an actual Grandmother (which pluckiness Mulan takes from), which also Anastasia had. Grandmother Fa had originally a bigger part in the story, but got reduced.
The (Lackluster) Villain and the Hero
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| They payed me to do this ;) |
Some of the stock characters have been labeled as lackluster by the critics and general public. Many people have labeled Shan-Yu as one of Disney's weakest villains. Which is after all completely understandable. He may be fearsome and scary, but far from compelling or charismatic as Disney's best villains usually are! He doesn't have a distinct personality nor traits to really distinguish him nor to make him memorable! It's also remarkable how little screentime he has and how shallow his motivation is! And how the Huns have reverse eye colors!
Though this is of course subjective, it's also notable how little characterization Shang is given. He just serves as the subtle love interest for Mulan and doesn't have a personality to distinguish him. But his hunk appeal is of course overt and obvious! ;) Romance was usually prominent in Disney's features of the nineties, but was featured less in Mulan, where it's reduced to a subtle subplot. While The Hunchback of Notre Dame at least had the main lead not ending up with his crush, Mulan ends with the lovebirds getting together, but in a vague way (and the dynamic between Mulan and Shang when she impersonates a boy has drawn some inevitable bisexual theories). They don't even share a kiss (though the sequel revolves around their marriage and Mulan freeing the Emperor's daughters from their fiancés).
Also notable that Emperor's aid, Chi Fu, while not being the main villain, never becomes a completely sympathetic character. He never warms up to Mulan at all! While certain characters usually goes through such arcs, it's remarkable that Chi Fu doesn't.
Mushu & Cri-Kee
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| I can be threatening too. Screw my size :) |
What Mulan is
also known for is Eddie Murphy's Mushu! His casting may be perceived
as an odd and distracting compromise, but hey. Let's appeal to the mass
public! And yes, he was deliberately put in order to appeal to the same demographic as Genie from Aladdin did. And if you're questioning Mushu's size, Chinese dragons can be small, which was a deliberate choice, in order to avoid having a huge dragon as a companion (though there has been many theories and questions about why the Great Stone Dragon never came to life).
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| We didn't fly. Technology made it look like we did so :) |
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| My red alter ego is cute when he haven't slept, isn't he? :) |
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| I'm adorable, ain't I? :) |
Music
Disney has currentlyinvigorated animated musicals again with their newest Princess movies. But the case was different with Mulan! Hercules was the last true musical preceeding Mulan, which in turn, has just four songs. At least Mulan was the first non-Alan Menken musical since Lion King, by musician and producer Matthew Wilder. Known for his Break My Stride from 1984 and producing No Doubt's Tragic Kingdom. He's been producer for artists as Natalie Cole, Bette Midler, Kelly Clarkson, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus (two former Disney starlets), to name a few (and Wilder also provided the singing voice for Ling as well). David Zippel (The Swan Princess, Hercules) penned the lyrics. Originally Stephen Scwhartz was a part of the project, but resigned.
of the villain song and the love duet, which was getting excluded in the late nineties). Looking at a reflection is classical a stock Disney element, but Reflection, the "I want"-song, takes it quite literally (Mulan`s singing voice was by Lea Salonga, who also sang for Jasmine in Aladdin. Which was a better fit, since Mulan is closer to Salonga`s region)!
It's tempting to claim that the songs of Mulan haven`t been the most worshipped songs in the Disney canon. But the truth is that most reviewers usually claimed the songs of the first films of the Renaissance (Mermaid and Beauty) as superior and the following as inferior. However, there overall were mixed reactions to the songs of Mulan. Certainly I'll Make A Man Out Of You (sung by Donny Osmond) is the most worshiped of the songs, as with Reflection (which was made into a pleasant pop-single by the then former Musketeer Christina Aguilera, before her career taking off). The songs hammers the gender/cross-dressing theme of the movie. Yet it's quite notable that the lead single, Stevie Wonder and 98 Degrees' True To Your Heart, it's not a previous deleted song. Nor does it appear on the movie itself. It`s just a pure end credits song. Jerry Goldsmith's score, however, has gained more praise than the songs. Though I've personally never been crazy about it, I can see why it has struck such a chord with people. It pulls off the right strings and it's epic.
Mulan`s Tone/Genre
A remarkable pattern about the animated features of the 90`s is how Disney had the tendency to make an stirring epic that was followed by a movie that was perceived as inferior (mostly by critics). While Aladdin is heralded, it was perceived as inferior to Beauty. The same with Pocahontas vs. Lion King. And somewhat Hercules with Hunchback (although the latter comparison is more tangible, as there are various different opinion about which movie of the two is superior, more so than it`s followers).  |
| Yeah, I'm baffled by your dance. What did you expect? |
At least Aladdin and Hercules were two comedies that followed two epics, while Pocahontas was an too serious epic that followed an previous epic picture (and therefore panned for it). It's not to claim that Mulan broke the pattern. While it's an serious epic, it makes plenty of room to comedy as well and frankly is mostly in that genre. It seems as the critics overall preferred Tarzan more, which was an even blend of several different genres. And therefore perceived to be a film that was generally a balanced and even film.
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| At least until you eat it ;) |
Despite this, Mulan is praised for it's successful blend of comedy and drama. Just as with Hercules, Mulan is filled with adult-in-jokes. Though all of the features of the 90`s were made for an universal audience, Mulan was probably Disney's most mature film to date (though this should apply to Hunchback as well, but at least in a different way). While Mulan is indeed a solid film for kids, it has quite little juvenile filler (in my opinion). Whereas Pocahontas and Hunchback had misplaced comedic elements and Hercules being a comedy with melodrama, Mulan blends both genres effortlessly. The depth and savviness is evident on it's smart and solid screenplay.
Epilogue
As aforementioned, Disney produced a string of great and compelling films through the nineties. Even Hercules, which initially disappointed me, grew on me. Personally, I found Mulan to be the weakest. While I didn't hate it, I never was enamored with it. I found the music weak and the movie lacking the spark which defines Disney at it's very best. However, Mulan
has grown on me and it's a solid film with good elements. I respect and
admire it and occasionally I happen to enjoy it once in a while.
Despite my opinion, Mulan has found it's audience (being highly rated on IMDb and having more fans on Facebook than it's late 90`s counterparts) and
it's place in Disney's history. It's an honorable warrior and a film
that has brought great honor to Disney's legacy and to us all (pun
intended ;) 
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References:
The Art of Mulan (Jeff Kurtti)
Mouse Under Glass (David Koenig)
Mulan Special Edition DVD.
boxofficemojo.com
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120762/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120762/criticreviews?ref_=tt_ov_rt
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120855/?ref_=nv_sr_2
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120855/criticreviews?ref_=tt_ov_rt
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119282/?ref_=nv_sr_1
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116583/?ref_=nv_sr_1
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120762/?ref_=nv_sr_1
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120762/trivia?ref_=tt_ql_2
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120762/externalreviews?ref_=tttrv_ql_op_5
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120762/newsgroupreviews
http://web.archive.org/web/20030402021413/http://www.animated-movies.net/Mulan.html
http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID115160.asp
http://imgur.com/gallery/F1lWJ
https://moviepilot.com/posts/3548503
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THHjkhyxKJI&t=64s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5aZC5eoAJw&t=922s
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mulan
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tarzan
The Art of Brave (Jenny Lerew)
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