Written by: Mehr Jan
Posted on: September 16, 2020 | 
Liu Yifei as Mulan
Even before Disney’s beloved 1998 animated version of the brave and feisty ‘Mulan’ graced our screens, the legend of the woman who became a solider has changed and modified for the past 1500 years. The iconic tale of a young Chinese woman who, in order to save her father’s life, joins the army disguised as a man, was first written in the sixth century, in ‘The Ballad of Mulan’. It was an ancient folk song, which became something of an ode to Chinese culture. Its heroine inspired people with her bravery, commitment and loyalty to her country and her family.
An 18th-century portrait of Mulan in ink and colors on silk
However, she also showed how being rebellious can be a means to a justified end. She felt she was right to ride off and fight amongst men, and the latest portrayal of Mulan in Disney’s recently released live-action film, also touches upon her rediscovering her “chi” or ‘qi’. “Chi” is a Chinese concept of a person’s life force, which allows them to strike a balance between different parts of themselves, and draw strength from them. However, the concept of “chi” has been historically associated with male warriors only, so Mulan’s harnessing of her inner strength is seen as a fresh take on this concept.
While there are various instances and moments where homage is paid to the very light-hearted 1998 version, whose initial target audience was children, the Niki Caro-directed version takes on a more serious tone, akin to the classic tale. Despite showcasing the three traits which we find etched on her father’s sword, that is loyalty, bravery and truth, Mulan refuses to join the Imperial Army when offered a respectable position, and goes back to her family. This decision refers to the original tale; in which she was actually promoted to a General’s position but always longed for a horse to take her back to her village. The film emphasizes her commitment to her family, as we see her being presented with a new sword with the same three virtues, with a new fourth one added to it: devotion to the family. This was her legend, her attempt to balance her strength with her priorities.
A film still of Mulan among the soldiers of the Imperial Army
Completely ridding the new version of the film of its two whimsical characters ‘Mushu’ and ‘Cri-kee’, and instead introducing a new guardian to the ancestors in the shape of a phoenix, which often appears when Mulan needs guidance and clarity, the latest version is much more faithful to the poem. It also depicts the historically accurate villains ‘Rourans’, a nomadic tribe fighting for power, who are being led by the vengeful Bori Khan (played by Jason Scott Lee) and a witch Xianniang (played by Gong Li), who is ousted for showcasing and embracing her ‘chi’ as a woman. This is probably the most eventful and riveting aspect of the movie, in which the audience sees compelling conversations between the two women on the meaning of mastering “chi” and being true to one’s power. Through their dialogue, Xianniang experiences a change of heart, as she witnesses Mulan’s heroism.
Actress ‘Liu Yifei’ blends into the role of the protagonist smoothly. Though the film doesn’t provide her much space for strong dialogue delivery, her expressions and physical presence depicts the perfect blend of femininity with revolt, which is a treat to watch (and those with a sharp eye can also spot Ming-Na Wen, the voice actress for Mulan, in a small cameo which pays a sweet tribute to her contribution to the original role). The same goes for the impersonation of the Emperor by the always-dynamic Jet Li.
Mulan in her traditional Chinese attire
It’s safe to say the cinematography is easy on the eyes, from the vibrant and culturally hyped depiction of a multi-story walled community, to the plethora of colorful traditional garments. Set on a production budget of $200 million, the film was shot at some of the most scenic locations in New Zealand and China. This includes the region of Xinjiang, which consists of a vast region of deserts and mountains, and part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
A Training Scene
The epic podium depicting the various stages to Mulan’s self-discovery is synched with the soft musical tones, parts of which hark back to the original score. While we missed the familiar, more upbeat song and dance sequences, considering the tone of the film, it was appropriate to have left them out. Though viewers are in for a treat, for the end credits roll with a whole new number-sung by Christina Aguilera, 20 years after her iconic rendition of ‘Reflection’.
For those who absolutely fell in love with the fantasy version of the nineties, the live-action stands in contrast because focuses more on the original ballad. So much so that in one of the movie’s initial scenes, we see Mulan riding spiritedly alongside two rabbits. Coming home, she excitedly declares that with the two rabbits running so fast, it’s hard to determine their genders. This is a direct reference to the sixth century-song, which has the concluding lyrics: They say the male rabbit likes to hop and leap, while the female rabbit prefers to sit still. But in times of danger, when two rabbits scurry by, who can tell male from female?”
The film is Rated PG-13; it has a running time of 113 minutes. It is currently streaming on Disney + and is being shown in theatres worldwide.
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