Mulan (Live-Action)

[JeanGreyForever]

The thing that surprised me most when I started working on this film is that the beloved Disney cartoon is not the original Mulan. The original Mulan appears in a Chinese ballad that was written in the sixth century. The story has been told so many times since then, generation after generation: every Chinese child knows it, and it was really interesting to think about how to translate this story for the 21st century audience into live action. Obviously I wanted to honor the animated film, but first of all I wanted to honor the ballad. And the story of Mulan herself, a girl who disguises herself as a boy. For me it was a privilege to be able to do it, my job was to make this trip real.

I'm really glad that she pointed out that her purpose in making this film was to honor the original ballad moreso than the Disney film. I think it was also important that she mentioned how the story of Mulan is a generational one and that every generation of Chinese children has grown up with their own version. It makes sense that more than twenty years later, there would be a new Mulan on the market rather than the same old one remade shot by shot so that a new generation can be exposed to it.

[Sotiris]

The thing that surprised me most when I started working on this film is that the beloved Disney cartoon is not the original Mulan. The original Mulan appears in a Chinese ballad that was written in the sixth century.

She had to get the remake gig to learn that? I can only imagine her astonishment when she finds out that Disney's The Little Mermaid is not the original story either.

The second scene opens with a group of a hundred soldiers placed in a field, in the middle of a valley in the mountains: they are training for combat, and among them are Mulan, disguised as a male, and Chen Honghui (Yoson An). The two do not just train: they start a real fight, and every time Honghui lashes out against Mulan trying to overwhelm her, she responds with very clever moves, until you get to beat him.

Mulan's love interest sounds like a complete douche. RIP the noble and good-natured Li Shang.

[D82]

The thing that surprised me most when I started working on this film is that the beloved Disney cartoon is not the original Mulan. The original Mulan appears in a Chinese ballad that was written in the sixth century.

She had to get the remake gig to learn that? I can only imagine her astonishment when she finds out that Disney's The Little Mermaid is not the original story either.

That surprised me too. But, to be fair, I hadn't heard about the original tale of Mulan until Disney decided to adapt it, and probably many people who are not fans of Disney haven't heard of it either.

[DisneyFan97]

So no Mushu that's a REAL BUMBER . I can live without he songs there were only a dew aof them any way. sill miss the grandma. I really don't understand how the whole grandma character could offensive th China ?

It isn't as if they don't have grandparants in the middle kingdom or is it rudd to show old women in movies in China ? !!

[JeanGreyForever]

She had to get the remake gig to learn that? I can only imagine her astonishment when she finds out that Disney's The Little Mermaid is not the original story either.

That surprised me too. But, to be fair, I hadn't heard about the original tale of Mulan until Disney decided to adapt it, and probably many people who are not fans of Disney haven't heard of it either.

Before the 1998 film, I'd wager that most Americans and people from Western countries were not familiar with Mulan at all. That's certainly what I've heard from people and I even know many Americans who think Mulan was a purely Disney creation. Ironically enough, even Japan thought that when Mulan was included in the Shanghai Disney park opening parade. They thought she was some Chinese literature or mythical character that China had forced Disney to include and Japan was not pleased.

It comes across as a huge surprise to most Americans that in China, the story of Mulan is as iconic and well-known as that of Cinderella.

[Sotiris]

Hollywood’s Go-To Asian Dad Tzi Ma Dishes on ‘Mulan’ and Oscar Snub for ‘The Farewell’
https://variety.com/2020/film/news/tzi- ... 203470589/

Live-action 'Mulan' remake is Memphis actor Chen Tang's 'first really big thing
https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/ ... 021891002/

[D82]

Several Spanish websites are reporting that the song "Reflection" could be in the movie after all after Niki Caro presented the film in Madrid this Friday. However, I wouldn't get my hopes up. I think she was most likely referring to the end-credits version of the song that has not been officially announced yet, and later to the use of the instrumental version in the movie itself. Here's what the director said:

Will 'Reflection' sound in the remake?

According to Caro herself, another of the characteristics they were looking for in the protagonist was that she knew how to sing. But why, if in theory there are no songs in the remake? Well, the director has dropped that the actress actually sings for the film, although she has not been able to specify too much since Disney prefers to keep the mystery for now. "She is an incredible martial arts fighter, a great swordswoman, she is the one who rides a horse, she also sings," she says. "Actually, I'm going to tell you, we've recorded her ... Or maybe I can't. Disney? Can I talk about Liu Yifey singing? No? Okay! She doesn't sing. She's a very good singer, but she doesn't sing here. She sang for me," she concludes with a laugh.

Later, Caro specifies that they have preserved a famous song from the animated version: "When you go to war you don't suddenly start singing songs, so we don't do it in the movie, but we do use an iconic song at the most iconic moment of the film. An epic moment of transformation for the protagonist." Although Caro does not name it, it is clear from her description that the song she refers to is the ballad 'Reflection', which sounds when Mulan prepares to go to war by changing her appearance to impersonate a man.

Source: https://www.ecartelera.com/noticias/mul ... ake-59002/

Before the 1998 film, I'd wager that most Americans and people from Western countries were not familiar with Mulan at all. That's certainly what I've heard from people and I even know many Americans who think Mulan was a purely Disney creation. Ironically enough, even Japan thought that when Mulan was included in the Shanghai Disney park opening parade. They thought she was some Chinese literature or mythical character that China had forced Disney to include and Japan was not pleased.

That's really curious. You'd think people from Japan would know more about China given that it's not that far from their country.

[JeanGreyForever]

Before the 1998 film, I'd wager that most Americans and people from Western countries were not familiar with Mulan at all. That's certainly what I've heard from people and I even know many Americans who think Mulan was a purely Disney creation. Ironically enough, even Japan thought that when Mulan was included in the Shanghai Disney park opening parade. They thought she was some Chinese literature or mythical character that China had forced Disney to include and Japan was not pleased.

That's really curious. You'd think people from Japan would know more about China given that it's not that far from their country.

Japan and China have a lot of enmity from the previous century so there's a lot of ill will towards each other. That's also one reason that as popular as Disney is in Japan, you'll find basically nothing of Mulan there. I imagine that if Disney had a film set in Japan (and I don't mean Big Hero 6), it probably wouldn't be well-received in China. For that matter, I'm not sure what they think of Big Hero 6.

[Sotiris]

Several Spanish websites are reporting that the song "Reflection" could be in the movie after all after Niki Caro presented the film in Madrid this Friday. However, I wouldn't get my hopes up. I think she was most likely referring to the end-credits version of the song that has not been officially announced yet, and later to the use of the instrumental version in the movie itself.

It seems to me they'll be using an instrumental version of Reflection during the decision-making sequence where Mulan cuts her hair and puts on her dad's uniform (which I'm not sure it fits; that scene needs something more dynamic) and in the end credits they'll have Reflection sung by Liu Yifey.

[JeanGreyForever]

Several Spanish websites are reporting that the song "Reflection" could be in the movie after all after Niki Caro presented the film in Madrid this Friday. However, I wouldn't get my hopes up. I think she was most likely referring to the end-credits version of the song that has not been officially announced yet, and later to the use of the instrumental version in the movie itself.

It seems to me they'll be using an instrumental version of Reflection during the decision-making sequence where Mulan cuts her hair and puts on her dad's uniform (which I'm not sure it fits; that scene needs something more dynamic) and in the end credits they'll have Reflection sung by Liu Yifey.

I hope that's not the case. The score for that scene in the original film is perfect and shouldn't be altered. And even in the older versions of Mulan, Written in Stone was meant to be played during that scene which is a far more epic song than Reflection if there had to be a song there.

[Jules]

That's really curious. You'd think people from Japan would know more about China given that it's not that far from their country.

Japan and China have a lot of enmity from the previous century so there's a lot of ill will towards each other. That's also one reason that as popular as Disney is in Japan, you'll find basically nothing of Mulan there. I imagine that if Disney had a film set in Japan (and I don't mean Big Hero 6), it probably wouldn't be well-received in China. For that matter, I'm not sure what they think of Big Hero 6.

Do you mean the animated Mulan is completely absent from the Japanese marketplace (i.e. no DVD/blu-ray release, etc.) or simply handled in a very low-key manner with no promotion or merch (but still available in case you want it)?

[JeanGreyForever]

Japan and China have a lot of enmity from the previous century so there's a lot of ill will towards each other. That's also one reason that as popular as Disney is in Japan, you'll find basically nothing of Mulan there. I imagine that if Disney had a film set in Japan (and I don't mean Big Hero 6), it probably wouldn't be well-received in China. For that matter, I'm not sure what they think of Big Hero 6.

Do you mean the animated Mulan is completely absent from the Japanese marketplace (i.e. no DVD/blu-ray release, etc.) or simply handled in a very low-key manner with no promotion or merch (but still available in case you want it)?

There's no promotion or merch for it and I don't think it has any presence in the Tokyo Disney Park either. I'm sure they do sell the film, even if it's not a popular title, because I remember there was a Japanese laserdisc released there.

[Sotiris]

The score for that scene in the original film is perfect and shouldn't be altered. And even in the older versions of Mulan, Written in Stone was meant to be played during that scene which is a far more epic song than Reflection if there had to be a song there.

I agree but I doubt Harry Gregson-Williams is going to reuse Jerry Goldsmith's score for that scene even if Reflection isn't used. At best, we'll get something with similar intensity.

I absolutely love Written in Stone! I had hoped they'd incorporate it in the remake back when we thought it was going to be a musical. I wish someday we'll get a studio recording of Lea Salonga singing it.

[JeanGreyForever]

The score for that scene in the original film is perfect and shouldn't be altered. And even in the older versions of Mulan, Written in Stone was meant to be played during that scene which is a far more epic song than Reflection if there had to be a song there.

I agree but I doubt Harry Gregson-Williams is going to reuse Jerry Goldsmith's score for that scene even if Reflection isn't used. At best, we'll get something with similar intensity.

I absolutely love Written in Stone! I had hoped they'd incorporate it in the remake back when we thought it was going to be a musical. I wish someday we'll get a studio recording of Lea Salonga singing it.

That's true, I forgot that the only reason we got throwbacks to the original scores of other remakes (like BATB or Aladdin) was because Menken was asked back. Although one would think that the new composer would be allowed to use some musical throwbacks to the original but I guess Mulan was never really well-known for its score in the first place and they'll probably want something more akin to what is heard in Chinese historical epics.

Written in Stone is one of my favorite deleted songs and I've always wanted to hear Schwartz' other deleted songs from the film. I don't really need music in the live-action Mulan but I'd be a lot more for it if they brought back Schwartz and included his original songs alongside Reflection or any others from the original animated film.

[Disney's Divinity]

At least they will have "Reflection" in the end credits. That's better than nothing at all. I don't know why they couldn't still use "I'll Make a Man Out of You" for the credits or a montage either. Seeing the trailer, we already know the film isn't exactly going to be high art or anything. The action scenes look below average, about on level with the "One Jump Ahead" scene from the Aladdin re-make (which was the worst scene in that movie, imo, which is a shame since I always liked "OJA").

I suppose the director for this is just like the one for Aladdin; they feel a musical is beneath them. I often feel like many PIXAR directors--and PIXAR employees transferred to WDAS--feel that way, too. While of course Aladdin is a better musical, "Reflection" is nearly as iconic as "A Whole New World." I wish it could've been in-film, too.

[D82]

Promotional art from an exhibition about the film in Beijing:


Source: https://twitter.com/waxileslie/status/1 ... 2787180544


And a couple more interviews with director Niki Caro:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDZKzsKDlpA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiB9uWoJjrE

[blackcauldron85]

The action scenes look below average, about on level with the "One Jump Ahead" scene from the Aladdin re-make (which was the worst scene in that movie, imo, which is a shame since I always liked "OJA").

That's good to hear, I guess, that OJA is the worst scene in the Aladdin remake: my husband's aunt bought it and my husband was curious, but we gave up on it after OJA. The remakes just aren't our cup of tea, but we were like, This is meh, what are we watching.

I like the general idea of a witch as a villain, just not in Mulan. I'm just too much of a purist...

[Sotiris]

Source: https://twitter.com/waxileslie/status/1 ... 2787180544

Thanks for sharing these! I like the juxtaposition but again, there aren't enough differences between the two. In both of them it's Mulan as a soldier. I don't like the constant emphasis of Mulan as a warrior. They make it seem like being a soldier was her dream all along and the only problem was that women weren't allowed to join the army. I hope the movie doesn't have a pro-militaristic message.

And a couple more interviews with director Niki Caro:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiB9uWoJjrE

I love how the journalist called her out on claiming realism as the reason for excluding Mushu and the songs but then going ahead and incorporating magic. Apparently, singing is too unrealistic for a so-called "war movie" but having witches transforming into birds and giant phoenixes roaming the skies is perfectly natural.

[JeanGreyForever]

Source: https://twitter.com/waxileslie/status/1 ... 2787180544

Thanks for sharing these! I like the juxtaposition but again, there aren't enough differences between the two. In both of them it's Mulan as a soldier. I don't like the constant emphasis of Mulan as a warrior. They make it seem like being a soldier was her dream all along and the only problem was that women weren't allowed to join the army. I hope the movie doesn't have a pro-militaristic message.

And a couple more interviews with director Niki Caro:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiB9uWoJjrE

I love how the journalist called her out on claiming realism as the reason for excluding Mushu and the songs but then going ahead and incorporating magic. Apparently, singing is too unrealistic for a so-called "war movie" but having witches transforming into birds and giant phoenixes roaming the skies in one is perfectly natural.

I agree, not only is the color scheme basically the same but she's even wearing armor underneath on the right. This Mulan might be more in line with how general audiences view her, which is a woman who always wanted to be a warrior and had more traditionally "masculine" traits than "feminine" ones even though we know that wasn't the case. Something along the lines of the alternate opening of the animated film where she dreams of being a warrior. Ironically, all that stuff was cut out because it made her to individualistic and wasn't Chinese enough.

I don't have an issue with excluding Mushu and the songs, but I agree that their reasoning doesn't work when they're incorporating magic like the witch and the phoenix.

[Sotiris]

Red envelope printable activity for the Chinese New Year.


Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/B7q3WG6gO8Y/


Enter the code "Lunar" at the Disney Movie Insiders website for free points.


Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/B7tp2eLA2nD/


Chinese zodiac calendar.


Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/B7v7bsfgGZI/


Chinese New Year poster.


Source: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/dis ... 28769.html