One of the most important days of my 2020 year is fast approaching: the Australian release of Disney’s live-action Mulan – my most beloved Disney movie. The film had its Hollywood premiere on Tuesday, and soon after the first reactions hit Twitter. I hadn’t looked at the reactions before writing this yarn, because, well, what if it’s shit? But by the looks of what the Blue Ticks are saying, we’ve got a bloody winner on our hands. Also, the movie is apparently “surprisingly sexy” for a Disney flick. Here for it.
Disney’s live-action version of Mulan is actually based on the ancient narrative poem The Ballad of Mulan, not the animated movie. So expect differences. Lots of differences.
Directed by Niki Caro (The Whale Rider), Mulan stars Liu Yifei in the titular role, Jason Scott Lee as the villain Bori Khan, Donnie Yen as Mulan’s mentor Commander Tung, Jet Li as the Emperor, Yoson An as Mulan’s new love interest Chen Honghui, and Gong Li as a powerful witch named Xianniang.
Mashable’s deputy editor Angie J. Han called the film “the best of the Disney live-action remakes since Cinderella.” BIG CALL. I love the live-action Cinderella. It is easily my favourite Disney live-action re-telling so far.
#Mulan is the best of the Disney live-action remakes since Cinderella — I didn’t even miss the songs. Finds new notes in a story we already know while delivering gorgeous action, heart, and humor. Liu Yifei is 🌟💥🔥
— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) March 10, 2020
“Also! Surprisingly sexy for a Disney movie,” she continued in a separate tweet. “Case in point: the very loud ‘OH MY GOD’ that was uttered in the theatre when Yoson An took his shirt off.”
Disney’s Mulan remake leaves a lot behind, but offers much more in its absence. Plenty of 1998 throwbacks pepper a story full of incredible action, humor, and heart.
Oh, and the romantic chemistry gets STEAMY. Like chanting “kiss” in a silent theater steamy.#Mulan2020 #mulan pic.twitter.com/soILc7OdTm
— alison foreman (@alfaforeman) March 10, 2020
Just got out of seeing #Mulan with @thatgrltrish, LOVED this film. Costumes & fighting/stunts were incredible, sexual chemistry eat your heart out, and our buddy @jfwong CRUSHED IT as Ling!! @DisneyAUNZ pic.twitter.com/YTRETySZyF
— Maude Garrett (@maudegarrett) March 10, 2020
I’ve seen MULAN twice now and I must say it is grrrreat. Easily Disney’s best live action reboot. I think it’s also Disney’s first battle epic? It is beautiful & absorbing & rich & empowering. The cast is excellent and Niki Caro’s direction is just breathtaking.
— Kevin Polowy (@djkevlar) March 10, 2020
The cast of Mulan is fantastic in the film. There are lots of little moments that nods to the animated that’ll make the fans happy. Very beautiful & epic cinematography. It had more fantastical elements than I expected. Overall, a great re-telling of the animated and very fun 🙌🏼
— Wendy Lee Szany (@WendyLeeSzany) March 10, 2020
#Mulan is absolutely fantastic. Different enough with great action scenes, but with the heart of the original film. It doesn’t even matter that it’s not a musical. If you’re a fan of the animated, there are subtle nods to many of the songs. Can’t wait to see this again.
— Kirsten (@KirstenAcuna) March 10, 2020
#Mulan is exciting, vibrant, emotional, and different from the animated version. It’s definitely its own thing, which I dug – a more mature Disney film, featuring stunning production design & fight choreography. Director Niki Caro & star Liu Yifei are the big stand-outs, imo pic.twitter.com/p6IEQUDNBu
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) March 10, 2020
I LOVEEDDDD MULAN!!!!! It’s very different but it’s just as good I promise!!! So empowering and so important for the newer generations to see it 😍😭😭😭😭😭😭
— Hayley Kiyoko (@HayleyKiyoko) March 10, 2020
Key takeaways:
- It’s 3000% different, but still good.
- The sexual chemistry is fabulous.
- Even though it’s not a musical, there are still subtle nods to the original songs.
Disney’s live-action Mulan hits cinemas March 26.
