For the Love of her Family (Mulan (Animated) (DVD))

Member Name: 150983

Product:	Mulan (Animated) (DVD)
Date:	23/07/01 (98 review reads)
Rating:

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Ohh my first movie op!

The Story
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Mulan tells the story of a girl who tries really hard to please her parents. It is Disney’s first Chinese related story which tells of the legend of Mushu the Dragon and Mulan. This was Disney’s 36th animated film and what a film it is! The film begins with Mulan being prepared to have a dinner with the potential in laws but as always, she messes up somehow and again disgraces the family name. Mulan always feels upset for letting her parents down time after time even though she tries so hard.

Set in China in the 5th century, the Emperor at the time calls upon one male member of each family to defend China from attack from the Huns (the badies). Unlucky for them, Mulan’s family have no sons and so her father decides that it is his duty to fight for china. Mulan protests this matter and the men are astounded at her out spoken nature and the men advise her father to “control her“ or words to that nature.

Mulan as well as everyone else, knows that her father is too old to fight and by going, it would surely mean he would die. Therefore, Mulan’s will for her father to live compels her to take his place. Unaware to anyone else, Mulan disguises herself as a young man called Ping and sneaks out in the night with her fathers sword and armour as well as her horse. She takes the scroll which is like a certificate to prove of which family she or should I now say he is from.

Mulan’s family soon discover what she has done and they are helpless to do anything for if she is found out, it will surely cost her her life. The family therefore ask the ghosts of their ancestors to protect their child. The ghosts send the great dragon to protect Mulan and bring her straight home safely but the little dragon Mushu messes things up when the dragon, before in the form of a statue crumbles. Therefore he goes as the great dragon’s replacement but instead of re
turning her home, he decides to turn her into a hero in order for him to get back into the ancestor’s good books.

Eddie Murphy is the voice of Mushu and certainly brings humour to the film. I will not tell any more of the story because it will spoil it but lets just say that this is a great film with a great cast, animation as well as musical score including the hit “Reflection” which is sung by Christina Aguilera. I have laughed as well as been upset by this film.

How I came to watch it
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I noticed that we had the Disney channel for free on the weekend and noticed that this film was being shown today at 4pm so I though “hmmm my sister wouldn’t mind seeing that” so I decided to tape it for her. Whilst having a break from reading opinions, I thought I’d turn to the channel and watch a bit for a while. The problem was that I didn’t move until the film had finished! I was truly compelled by this Disney film and hadn’t felt this way about a Disney film since the brilliant “Lion King”. This film is truly worth watching and as well as the story involved, the film also depicts the cultural differences in China to western countries such as the UK. It show the gender differences and also the gender bias between the different sexes (that’s my sociology kicking in there!). This epic movie, as well as being entertaining has a good message also and brings it to the forfront of our minds how ever subtle it may be.

I would recommend this film to anyone as I have now learnt that these films are certainly not just for the kids! The animations are amazing and the colour as well as the interpretation is ace! Watch it ASAP!!!

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