The obvious first step with a look at a film like Mulan is to do a compare and contrast piece with the 1998 animated version. And, obviously, there will be a bit of that but, bottom line, it would be a bit like comparing and contrasting apples and tractor parts… Other than the name and the outline, these are two different films.
One Mulan is not like the other
Whereas the 1998 Mulan was a comedy/musical in the Disney grand tradition, the 2020 version is neither. OK, in 1998 if you got Eddie Murphy on board you weren’t aiming for high drama, but that wasn’t the reason, that was just how Disney rolled back then. Eddie was the effect rather than the cause.
In 2020 we have more of an action adventure vibe. There is music but only as background and accenting; none of the stop everything lets’s have a song breaks. Similarly, there is some humour but only in the “oh yes, something like that happened with my daughter”… smile raising rather than belly laughs.
The World’s Most Indispensable Movie App
The RunPee app tells you the best times to
run & pee during a movie
so you don't miss the best scenes.
Download the RunPee app.
100% free (donation supported)
But the action is flawless. Individual moments, small groups, whole armies battling it out; the whole spectrum of action scenes are here. Apart from one glaring omission… blood! There is not one drop of it shown anywhere, Whether this is to maintain Disney’s family-friendly reputation, to make sure it hits the right certificate rating, or just to show that you can make a huge, combat centred film without spending a fortune on barrels of fake blood, I don’t know. It could be a combination of all three. And, despite being an admirer of Mr Tarantino’s work, I have to say that Mulan wasn’t diminished in any way.
Dragons, a phoenix, and Chinese history
The biggest casualty of the change of style: Mushu the dragon that helps 1998’s Mulan along the way. In the animation the family’s “spirit animal” (if that is the term in Chinese culture; please forgive my ignorance) is a dragon which is where we get Mushu. However, 2020’s family protector is a phoenix, which we see flying around on the occasions when Mulan needs a boost of confidence, reassurance, or conviction in her path and decisions.
I have seen reports that this version of Mulan is closer to the original 5th century story. I’m in no position to say whether this is true or not, but elsewhere on this site there is an analysis of the original story by our very own native Chinese RunPee contributor; take a look and decide for yourselves.
What people are saying about the RunPee app.
Movie Watching Must Have!!
I go feral for this app. I love it so much and I wish everyone knew about it and used it. It is incredibly useful and I would be devastated if this app ever disappeared. Things I love: 1) the pee times! It’s so handy to know the best time to go and then read the synopsis of what’s happening while I’m gone. I never have to worry about missing the good bits! 2) knowing if there is a post-credits scene or not. This might be my fav feature because I would have missed out on some pretty critical scenes if it weren’t for RunPee. 3) the movie review and viewer rankings. This info has made me watch some movies that I normally wouldn’t and it’s nice seeing things outside of my usual scope. 4) that it’s a small family run business. I love shopping small and it really does feel like I’m part of the RunPee family! If you reach out to them, Dan will personally respond to you and he is so warm and helpful. GET THIS APP AND THEN SUBSCRIBE! It is absolutely worth it and you’ll be using it again and again!
View all reviews
Apple App Store | Google Play Store
Download RunPee app
I remember taking my daughter to see Mulan back in 1998 when she was nine years old. Will I be watching the new version with my seven year old granddaughter? Yes… eventually. It’s a good story, well told, but I just think it is aimed at a higher age group than the original. The fact that gender shouldn’t be a bar to greatness is something which needs saying, but I think the live action Mulan may be a bit too mature for a primary schooler.
It is a good film, though, and I’d give it a hearty B+.
Movie Grade: B+
Don’t miss your favorite movie moments because you have to pee or need a snack. Use the RunPee app (Androidor iPhone) when you go to the movies. We have Peetimes for all wide release films every week, including A Quiet Place: Day One, Inside Out 2, Bad Boys: Ride or Die and coming soon , Despicable Me 4, Twisters and many others. We have literally thousands of Peetimes—from classic movies through today’s blockbusters. You can also keep up with movie news and reviews on our blog, or by following us on Twitter @RunPee. If there’s a new film out there, we’ve got your bladder covered.
Leave a Reply