Last Friday Disney premiered their latest live action remake, Mulan, on their streaming platform Disney+. The 1998 animated film told the story of a heroine who disguises herself as a man to take her ailing father’s place in battle.
While the animated version came with an array of characters, both human and animal, it’s actually based on a 6th Century poem called “The Ballad of Mulan.” The newest live action remake takes the more serious tone of the ballad and strays away from a shot-by-shot musical replication as Disney’s previous remakes have followed.
Lake Effect film contributor Ryan Jay reviewed Disney’s most expensive live action remake yet. “I feel like each one gets better. I loved Beauty and the Beast, I really loved Aladdin, and now Mulan I think is their best. Because it strays so far from the animated one, it’s not just a live action remake,” says Jay.
Fans of the original Mulan may be disappointed that characters like Mushu are not in this movie or that this movie is not a musical like the original, but Jay thinks the new, more serious direction more than makes up for it. “We have a lot more spirituality and character development associated with Mulan and it is a lot more grounded in her story arc and development and change and growth as a character,” he says.
The movie is available on Disney+ for a $30 charge and will become included with the Disney+ subscription on December 1. Watch the trailer here:
