Mulan (Disney) [VHS] [1998]

*Criminally* underrated. "Mulan" is easily the best Disney film of the past ten years. It gets straight to the point within the first five minutes - the Huns are invading and one man from every family has to go and fight in the army - and doesn't waste time faffing around. Mulan herself does not disappoint. She is pretty, of course - what Disney heroine isn't? - but she's also brave, clever, quick-thinking, and genuinely self-sacrificing. It is so rare to have a heroine actually provide evidence of her worthiness (Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, love 'em as I do, are little more than pretty and kind) that I felt a little giddy the first time I watched. Even better, she shows character depth by questioning herself constantly throughout the film, and her internal conflict feels very real.

The artwork is distinctive and attractive. Although the characters have simple facial designs, they express great emotion - and this goes for the animals as well. Mushu the dragon, voiced by Eddie Murphy to the same success he brings to the role of Donkey in the "Shrek" films, is a particular highlight: he is very funny and has great chemistry with Mulan. The backgrounds, particularly those outdoors, are absolutely beautiful, and are evidence of what Disney can really do when it tries. The songs are also wonderful. Catchy and clever - "I'll Make A Man Out Of You" is a particular highlight - they are everything Disney songs ought to be. Take note, Phil Collins!

The DVD extras are very nice, although it's relieving to see that they aren't better than the actual film (which is always a worry). There are a collection of unremarkable deleted scenes along with a few rather painful music videos. A couple of fairly interesting featurettes complete the round-up. There's some good stuff on there; it's just not up to the same standard as the film.

Of course, the film does have its flaws. The ending feels as though it could have gone through another editing at the storyboard stage as it feels incomplete - perhaps the worst bit was when Mulan's ancestors started dancing to a disco song, complete with confetti and flashing lights. Who knew that it was possible to feel embarrassed for cartoon characters? There was also the odd cringe-worthy stereotype (watch out for The Noble Emperor Who Speaks In Metaphors), although this generally wasn't so overwhelming as to be off-putting.

The villain, Shan-Yu, suffers when compared to the other Disney villains of the '90s. True, he is superbly creepy, but I think he also lacks something. The really great villains of the past twenty years - Gaston, Scar, Jafar - were first and foremost wonderful *characters*, who could all conceivably have their own films. It is hard to imagine Shan-Yu acting as anything other than a nemesis for Mulan. He is not the only character who could have been fleshed out, however: Li-Shang, Mulan's love-interest, sadly suffers from Disney Prince-itis. He's very strong and very brave...but there's not really a lot to him apart from that. This is a shame, and it makes his relationship with Mulan (which is otherwise refreshingly original - how *nice* for the hero to meet the heroine outside of a stereotypically romantic situation!) seem confusing and underdeveloped.

Flaws aside, this is outstanding work, and Disney at its best - one wonders why it all started to go downhill from here. "Mulan" would be included in my top five favourite Disney films any day of the week and just watching it again gives me new hope for the potential of both "Rapunzel" and "The Princess and the Frog". I have no hesitation in giving it five stars.

When tomboy Mulan is presented to the local matchmaker as prospective bride her attempt to appear as a demure young lady is a dismal failure. Then an envoy arrives from the Emperor of China, the country is under attack from marauding Huns and every family is expected to send one man to fight in the army. Mulan doesn't want her frail father to have to go, so she steals his sword and armour, takes her horse Khan and goes in his place. The spirits of her ancestors send an somewhat undersized dragon Mushu(the voice of Eddie Murphy), to guard her. Mulan struggles through the army training, and eventually wins the respect of her comrades, and is finally triumphant in doing her bit to save China from doom.

This is an absolutely wonderful film, with spectacularly beautiful animation, great characters, a thrilling plot and a splendid score. Mulan is a very attractive heroine, brave and determined, and the supporting characters are all good too. Her parents (unusually for a Disney film, Mulan has a mother as well as a father), are portrayed very humanly and convincingly, and she has a feisty grandmother, who has one of the best lines in the film, when she claps eyes on gorgeous Captain Shang and says "Sign me up for the next war!". The heroine never loses your sympathy, I feel like cheering when, having been told to go home by Captain Shang because she's no use,she finally manages to climb to the top of the pole and throw down the arrow. And there is an almost unbearably dramatic moment when the Huns come sweeping down the snow-covered hill on the little company, and Mulan stops them with a brilliant piece of strategy. Sentimentality is kept to a minimum, this is a rousing tale of courage and triumph over adversity.

Mulan the story of a chinese girl disguising herself as a man an out to save china. this comic story which has been adapted from a true story is full of wit romance and action. 3 important ingredients which makes it a must watch film. its not just for the young but i promise that the adults will be raving about this film after watching it once. Its definatly worth watching more than once!