Has anyone ever seen the Disney movie "Mulan"?

[WillParkinson]

I've decided that it is my FAVORITE Disney movie. Strange thing, though, whenever I mention it to people they always look at me and tell me they've never heard of it.

I know it wasn't a popular movie (which is strange because I think it rocks) but I can't believe I'm the only one who has ever seen it. (I own it on DVD.)

[lindashaw]

1. Yes, I must have watched it 50 times!!!!!!

[WillParkinson]

2. Thanks! Now I feel better....

I did a show yesterday and I was talking to the woman in the booth next to me and she mentioned Disney. I had some of the songs from Mulan on a CD in the car and I had them going through my head. She asked me what movies I liked and I told her. I even gave her a summary of the movie. She said she thought that her grandkids would like the movie. I hope she gets it.

[KCDem]

3. yes, it's a great one!

We have it on DVD, altho' I don't believe I've shown it to my daughter yet as she's still pretty young (just turned 4).

[papau]

4. I have 3 versions - an excellent tale - and Disney's is the best version

But not my FAVORITE Disney - just one of my favorites!

See Secondhand Lions - now just out - if you want to impress on the grandkids how great grandpa is!

[Aristus]

5. Saw it once.

No biggie, as far as I'm concerned. I'm tired of having Eddie Murphy do attitudinal voice-overs for animated films. Disney's last good animated flick was "The Lion Kng" nearly ten years ago. (I'm not counting the 'Toy Story' films, which I consider Pixar productions.

[mac56]

6. I liked it a lot.

I'm surprised so many people haven't heard of it. It was well publicized and distributed on release, as all Disneys are.

Myself, I'm partial to "The Emporer's New Groove".

[WoodrowFan]

9. Theme Song Guy..

Emperor's and Mulan, two of my favorite Disney flicks. Lion King bored me. Never saw Hunchback or Pocahantas (sp)

[supernova]

12. Hunchback

is great! But I wouldn't classify it as a kids' film. THoND is a very grown up story, even if you do animate it.

[luckyluke]

7. Yes...

...but it's not my favorite. I'd say the Lion King is my favorite, if I had to pick one. -ll

[pippin]

8. Charming, but Another Disney Distortion

of History and culture. Just as Disney distorted the historical and cultural facts regarding Native Americans in Pocohontas, they did the same thing with Chinese history and culture in Mulan. Kids, and even teachers, think that what they see in Disney films are historically accurate fact. To my horror, I once had a student-teacher in my class base her projected lesson plan on Native Americans based on the movie Pochontas.

As entertainment, yes, but kids (and adults) need to be be able to recognize the distinctions between fact and fiction.

Disney Corp. is ultra-conservative and have no compunctions about revising history to suit the right's agenda. . .as in their attempts a couple of years ago to rewrite Civil War history and the events at the Battle of Bull Run that had a lot of activists down their throats.

[sjr5740]

21. Good Point Pippin

I have always found Disney to represent different cultures through a "western values" lens.

They always try to find something "western" to exploit (or distort) for popular appeal.

Disney also consistantly reinforces cultural stereotypes by portraying many aspects of a non-western culture in the most stereotypical way (i.e. Mulan going to the matchmaker) and only placing value on the so called western ideals.

Just ranting.....

SJR

[newyawker99]

22. Hi sjr5740!!

Welcome to DU!!

[TrogL]

10. My kids like it

It's gotta sort of anime feel to it, but it's not anime (at least I don't think so).

The dragon is cute but Eddie Murphy overplays the part (but then again, that's what he's known for).

[supernova]

11. I really enjoy Mulan

it's one of my fav Disney movies. Solid, colorful animation that has an appropriate asian feel. Not really Disney style at all. The music is wonderful.

Mulan is a complex heroine, which I also appreciate. She's not so goody goody as say Cinderella.

I would love to get my hands on an original version of the story, just to see the differences.

[WillParkinson]

15. Not the movie...

But here is a link for a bit of history about Mulan (the person, not the Disney version)...

http://www.suite101.com/mypage.cfm/womens_history/265

[supernova]

20. Thanks for that link! It doesn't appear

that the Disney Mulan is all that off the mark from the traditional one. All the essential elements are there:

- There is a military draft, one soldier from each household. Father is too old and frail; younger brother too young to go. So she does.

- She fights with honor an integrity. The original states possibly for more than 10 years without discovery. I guess the movie had to serve the interests of time limits. Understandable.

- SHe is honored for her service by the Emporor. She simply wants a horse to return home on.

- She comes home to resume her life as before. When her fellow fighters come to visit, they finally learn she's a woman! Wow! That must have been a shock!

My point is there doesn't seem to be too much culture tampering with the story as some have charged. What I see is a basic "gussing up" for the little ones, rather than a cultural misnomer.

[proud patriot]

13. I have watched it many times

I think we wore out our video of it . I may have to get the DVD .

[Butterflies]

14. Nope

The music is what makes me want to watch the Disney cartoon-movies. I'll always love The Lion King.

[Shanty Oilish]

16. *GROAN*

Slip of a girl saves China. The kid loved it, I've played it countless times, still doesn't resonate. I'm an Alice in Wonderland fan.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

17. Seen 'em all...

I have two kids (5 & 9) and through video sales alone I am personnally putting Michael Eisner's children through graduate school!

[HawkerHurricane]

18. And I'm paying for thier books...

3 kids, 15, 10 and 4...The oldest grew up on The Little Mermaid (first movie she saw in theatres), the middle on Beauty and the Beast, the youngest likes Toy Story.

[zekeson]

19. I liked it

a bit formula - strong female, stupid males, honor, cute boy prince (I think), fantasy animals, cute sidekicks. My kid loved it, too. Good flick.