Early test screening of MULAN was attended by first time spy, but long time AICNer Alora. That's right the baby in Willow. Cute little thing just walked right past Disney, and they would even as the dainty one to sign something, see babies don't talk... BUT THEY TYPE!!! Amazing the learning curve with computers nowadays... There are SPOILERS below, but suffice to say she loved it and thought it was the best Disney since The Lion King. Hmmmm I hope so....
MULAN REVIEW
Hey, Harry! This is first-time spy Alora reporting with a review of the surprise test showing of "Mulan", the next animated epic from Walt Disney Pictures. After much finagling, I managed to procure two tickets from an employee friend at the theater to see the film. I managed to sneak in without filling out the nondisclosure agreement, so I don't feel the least bit guilty about spilling the beans on this masterpiece (hey, I walk a fine line).
"Mulan" is the story of a young girl (Fa Mulan, voiced by Ming Na-Wen) in ancient China who stands out from the rest of the girls in her village. She is brash and bold, always eager to speak her mind. Quite the contrast to the demure Geisha accepted at the time. When the Mongolian Huns (led by the warrior Shan Yu, the best villain since Scar) invade China by crossing the Great Wall, the Emperor commands each family in the land to send one of their own off to war. Mulan's father was once a great warrior, but is now aging and walks with the aid of a cane due to a crippled leg. As the only male in the Fa family, he decides that he must go to war in spite of his deteriorating health. Mulan decides to take matters in her own hands, disguising herself as a man in her father's armor and stealing away in the night. The "transformation" scene, in which Mulan changes into a man's clothes, is one of the best in a series of wonderfully animated scenes. Thunder and lightning crash outside the house and rain pours from an ink-black sky as Mulan chops off her long hair with her father's sword. It is quite dramatic, and it sets the pace for Disney's most adult film yet.
As Mulan races off to join the soldiers at the training camp, her ancestors meet in the family temple near the Fa house. They decide that Mulan must be returned to the family to spare them the dishonor. They know that if she is revealed as a woman that she will be executed, as this has been Chinese law for centuries. They summon Mushu the dragon (voiced by Eddie Murphy in a scene-stealing role that rivals the Genie from "Aladdin") to collect her. Mushu is one of the many guardians that protect the Fa family, though he has recently been demoted to a mere servant to the greater ancestors. He decides that in order to restore his honor and his place as a true guardian, he must make Mulan into a war hero. So, instead of returning her to her family, he aids her in her quest to pass as a man.
Mulan, Mushu, Cri-Kee (Mulan's lucky pet cricket), and Kahn (Mulan's horse) arrive at the training camp for Chinese soldiers. It is here that the only gripe I have about the film comes in. I had read months ago that Eddie Murphy had a song called "Trust Me Babe" in the film. As Mushu and Mulan are entering the camp, Mushu tells Mulan to "trust him". Those who are familiar with Disney films will know when they are building up to a song, as was in this case. I have always thought Eddie had a good voice and was anxiously awaiting this song, and was upset to find it had been cut from the print I saw. Perhaps it was not yet finished or the film was running long. Who knows? If the film stays in it's current incarnation, Mushu will become to first major character in Disney musicals not to sing a song.
Mulan, with the aid of Mushu, trains hard at the war camp. It is there that she meets Shang, a young captain in the Chinese army and the love-interest in the story. He is somewhat bland, as are all the Disney love-interests. Much better are the three fellow soldiers Mulan meets: Ling (skinny), Yao (short, voiced by Harvey Fierstein), and Ling Po (the fat one). They are the comic relief, and have some wonderfully funny moments. One in particular is the skinny-dipping scene, where Mulan is bathing naked in a pond and the three soldiers decide to join in. Desperate to conceal her identity, Mulan creates a diversion and manages to escape, but not before Yao stands naked before her on a boulder and gives the movie's funniest line, "I am Yao, King of the Rock!"
Mulan becomes a fine soldier, and her true identity is still a secret when her battalion is called to join the front lines. They find a village ravaged, burned to the ground, and Shang's father (a general) dead. Shang swears vengeance on Shan Yu. After travelling high into the snow-covered mountains, the battalion is attacked by Huns. Facing insurmountable numbers, Shang's company is almost certain to die. An entire army of Hun warriors spills over the peak of the mountain in a spectacular scene that was done with CGI. Mulan saves the day by aiming a rocket at the peak, sending an avalanche crushing down on the Huns. Mulan is wounded in the avalanche, however, and falls unconscious. When the doctor examines her, her true nature is finally revealed. Disgraced, she is cast out of the battalion by Shang, who spares her life because she saved theirs. He then leaves for the Emperor's palace to tell of the assumed death of Shan Yu.
Mulan and Mushu are alone in the snow at their wit's end, lamenting the fact that they must return home without having restored the Fa family's honor. However, Mulan then witnesses the survival of Shan Yu and a small band of Huns, and overhears their plot to assassinate the Emperor. Mulan decides that she must take it upon herself to warn him, and races off to Imperial City. When she arrives, she watches in horror as Shan Yu captures the Emperor and holds a sword to his throat. Mulan, along with Shang and her three soldier friends, manages to stop Shan Yu (of course) and save the Emperor's life. Mulan then returns home, her family's honor restored. Mushu becomes a guardian again, and everyone is happy as a wonderful fireworks display brings a spectacular end to a great film.
The film was well paced, funny, and mature enough to let the adults in the audience enjoy it as well. The visuals were astounding, and I was glad to find that the Asian characters were indeed Asian looking. While about a quarter of the film was still pencil-test animation, I can tell you that the visuals are going to make your mouth water. The sets are incredible. From the serene beauty of Mulan's village to the stark desolation of the mountain peak, all are amazing. In my opinion, this is the best Disney film since "The Lion King". It should be out in June, so mark your calendars!
