The Disney live-action remakes have been hitting theaters for years now, from Beauty and the Beast to Dumbo. The latest, which bows on Disney+ on September 4, takes 1998’s Mulan and brings it to life in the most stunning of ways.
The musical aspect is gone, and the battle and martial arts elements are pumped up. Some may see it as a bold choice. After experiencing the epic that is Mulan 2020, filmmaker Niki Caro and a quartet of screenwriters hit it out of the park. The songs aren’t missed one bit. In fact, that is exactly the type of alteration that a remake should bring. Too often, Hollywood has given us remakes that in many ways are carbon copies of the original—just for a “new generation.” There are no issues here from remakes, after all, plays get produced repeatedly over their lives. Why should movies live under different expectations? In the medium of film, because it is seen by so many, a remake must offer something wholeheartedly different… preferably seismically dissimilar. For example, the team behind the Valley Girl remake still set it in the 80s, but turned it into a musical, using hits from that decade to move the narrative.
With Mulan, the story is powerful enough on its own. It does not need musical accompaniment. This is the tale of a trailblazing warrior who hid her gender to spare her beloved war hero father the pain of dying in battle at his older age. It also is a story of an individual utilizing their G-d-given gifts to their full potential. Within the film’s opening segment, that fact becomes intensely real. Kudos to all involved for one, making that point right off the bat, and two, everything you need to know about Mulan the innate warrior, is revealed within the first five minutes.
Yifei Liu is Mulan and she was born to inhabit this important role. This is a character with the potential for inspiring millions of young girls—and boys too!—much as the original did. But there is something about a living and breathing actress’ inhabiting of Mulan that feels exponentially more inspirational. It’s tangible. Not to beat a dead horse here, but not having her break into song only enhances that fierceness that Liu brings to the role that is sure to be emulated.
A woman during this time had no other options for a future other than to marry, and so much of her existence centered around enhancing the reputation and honor of her family. Mulan was being matched by the village matchmaker. This young woman was ready to do her part, showcasing the honor that lies innately inside. As the meeting with the matchmaker concludes, fate intervenes.
The Emperor has sent military crews out across the land to “draft” one male member of every family in every village for a looming threat to the kingdom. With two daughters in his home, Mulan’s father Zhou (Tzi Ma) feels he is left with no other choice than to volunteer to keep his family’s honor. He’s getting set to leave in the morning, something he’s done before and returned a hero. Mulan has other ideas. She famously dons her father’s armor, takes his beloved sword (and horse), and heads out to join the battle of good versus evil, disguised as a boy.
A story like this is only as good as its villain and does Mulan have a doozy in Böri Khan (Jason Scott Lee). Like so many before him, cinematically, his father was killed by the Emperor (he deserved it), and as such his entire existence has been about retribution. He has paired with a witch Xianniang (Li Gong), who has been slighted herself for seeking to be a warrior. After all, Mulan was told to abandon her warrior wishes for fear of being labeled a witch. Xianniang has given Khan an edge as he attacks fortress after fortress on the way to take over for the Emperor (Jet Li). Lee never flinches in his portrayal, and that plays into his relationship with Xianniang. It should be a partnership, but as the actor plays it, and as it is written, she is subservient to him. Let’s see how that goes over as the film progresses! Lee is vicious, cunning, and injects nothing but pure selfish evil without a hint of humanity. No easy task.
There are a few scenes with Gong and Liu that are key to the gender issue at the heart of Mulan. Xianniang informs her that she will never gain the respect of her fellow soldiers because she’s a woman. They should join forces, Xianniang states. Mulan is having none of it. These two are our yin and yang and their parallel stories add weight to the struggle portrayed throughout by both women.
Director Caro (McFarland, USA, Whale Rider) has done the most extraordinary work and achieved something truly astounding with her live-action retelling of an animated classic. Not only does Caro capture the epic nature of a war when soldiers rode horses and brandished swords and bow and arrows, but the helmer injects an emotive tether to the audience that is present from the get-go. These warriors have earned our respect and that was firmly accomplished during the training portion of the story. These men (and one woman) were thrown together and tasked with training to be the Emperor’s best, one of the last lines of defense against aggressors. That type of landscape will produce major bonding and it was portrayed so organically… it was palpable. The relationship between these soldiers are so rich, it is what puts an action-heavy film over the top and into the most endearing of places. Most importantly, it shows how Mulan could earn the respect of her cohorts and despite her deception, earn their courage in the face of unthinkable carnage (alluded to, after all this is Disney!).
The supporting cast is terrific. It is great to see Li back in action as the Emperor, after all, he is a Chinese action movie legend who has had some health issues. It’s a true blessing to see him embody that leader with such power, but more importantly, presence. Donnie Yen (Rogue One) rivets as Commander Tung, who leads Mulan’s brigade. His growing confidence in the young soldier drives her to greatness, even if he thinks she is a man. Then, there is Yoson An, whose portrayal of Honghui is friendship personified. He is the first one who reaches out to his fellow soldier, whose mysterious ways intrigue him. Honghui sees something in Mulan and hopes to foster his aspiring friend’s confidence.
As Liu plays her, Mulan is as strong as any warrior she fights alongside. In fact, one could argue she is the most effective soldier in the entire regiment. There is a “backbone” to her that the actress has injected to her that is unspoken. It is achieved not through words on a script, but by the actions and performance of an actress. She harnesses a power that is infectious, it inspires her fellow soldiers on the battlefield, on and off. Her characterization is fascinating. During the opening act, when she is dressed up and made up to meet the “matchmaker,” she is a beautiful sight. Yet, there’s a fraction of her that is giving off a vibe of utter uncomfortableness. It is a stunning dichotomy. The actress carries the movie on her shoulders, and that goes beyond being the title character. Liu plays Mulan as a literal Phoenix, but it is something she must grow into and in the hands of the performer, it is a moving sight to behold.
There is one downside to Mulan and that is this is one of those motion pictures I would have truly treasured to see on the big screen. How Caro shot the film alone screams big picture, but here is hoping that enough people see her mind-blowing work on this film that they take an interest in whatever she does next. Disney believes in her, that much is for sure. After all, she gave them McFarland, USA, and now the magnificent Mulan.
We’re just waiting for Covid-19 to be part of our rear-view mirror so we can return to theaters and so filmmakers like Caro can express their greatness as they intended it to be experienced.
Grade: A