DVDizzy Forum

The "neglected princesses." Who do you like better and why?

I much prefer Mulan over Pocahontas. Pochontas is one of the most dull princess characters in my eyes.

Thinking about Mulan again, I appreciated how she doesn't come off rebellious or tomboyish. She doesn't dislike being a "princess" because it's girly or big responsibilities, it's just that she thinks she isn't good at it. Then, she joins the war not to show that girls can fight/do anything a male can, but to save her father's life. When she gets to the war, it would have been easy to have her upstage the guys, but she actually struggles a lot. At the end of the day, it was her smarts that saved China.

To nitpick a little; Mulan isn't a princess.

While I like them both, actually, I think Mulan is the more relatable one, since she is flawed and does fail now and then. However, I would have appreciated if she was vivacious and quirky through the whole movie as she was at the beginning, since she became duller during the movie.

But just to be said; I prefer "Pocahontas" as a movie and I like the lead character for her determination, dignity and strength.

I like both of them pretty much equally, but if I was held at gun point I would say Pocahontas. I love her spirituality and connection with nature. I also think "Colors of the Wind" is one of the most beautiful songs in any movie musical, not just Disney animated musical.

I agree that Mulan is more relatable in the modern girl sense, and she is fantastic, but Pocahontas is just a tad more unique.

DisneyFan09 wrote:To nitpick a little; Mulan isn't a princess.

Pocahontas wasn't a princess either. She was more like a First Daughter.

And I pick Mulan, easily Mulan. She's just my favorite, period.

Mulan. Not even close. Mulan is one of my favorite Disney movies while Pocahontas is one of my least favorite. Mulan is also much more relatable and human and funny while Pocahontas is one of the most boring Disney princesses ever. Plus that instantaneous language learning with the singing tree in Pocahontas was just too much to swallow in a movie that seemed to take itself so seriously. I do think Pocahontas is more beautiful though, and her movie had better songs overall

Mulan for me. I find her instantly likeable and I enjoy watching her personality develop. Plus, I can on a personal level very much relate to the song 'Reflection' as well, so that gives her bonus point as well in a vs debate.

It's not that I dislike Pocahontas, but she just doesn't hold my interest as much as Mulan does. She has two beautiful songs though. I could go as far to say she is the only Disney character with two stand on their own beautiful songs ? Both complete stand-outs and highlights of the score. I don't think that has been in another Disney film.

Atlantica wrote: She has two beautiful songs though. I could go as far to say she is the only Disney character with two stand on their own beautiful songs ? Both complete stand-outs and highlights of the score. I don't think that has been in another Disney film.

Snow White (I'm Wishing, With a Smile and a Song, Whistle While You Work, Someday My Prince Will Come)
Cinderella (A Dream is a Wish…, Sweet Nightingale)
Aurora (I Wonder, Once Upon a Dream)

….Unless you were just referring to the Renaissance princesses.

Mulan because she's more interesting and less preachy and she feels more human and less just there.

Mulan is that clumsy, misfit underdog character that we can relate too, and the way she overcomes her weaknesses and became the most strongest solider in the Chinese army despite being of the female gender is inspirational.

Pocahontas is not a awful character or Princess, but Pocahontas feels too perfect sometimes and not fleshed out as a character.

Mmmm no, I'd have to say I don't agree with you there DancingCrab.

Cinderella is known for 'A Dream is a Wish'; I think only fans of the film would know about Nightingale.

Same with Aurora, 'Once Upon a Dream' is her signature song, and 'I Wonder' isn't half as well known.

A case could be made for Snow though; 'I'm Wishing' / 'Someday' / 'Whistle While You Work' are all extremely strong. But I don't think the same applies for Cinderella and Aurora.

I'll let Cinderella and Aurora go, as those extra songs may be subjective. But there should be no debate about Snow White spawning at least three beloved hit songs in the pop culture consciousness.

Mulan, without question. Her inability to fit in with society's notions about at women should be like, her isolation amongst men as well, her well-portrayed selfless sacrifice, and of course the transgender subtext make her a far stronger character. Pocahontas is not as dull as many label her as, but I find it hard to like someone who falls for a colonialist thug.

In terms of movies, I like Pocahontas better, mainly because of the fantastic musical score. But in terms of characters, I like Mulan better. She is, as others have pointed out, a character one can relate to. She does screw up at first, but she struggles a lot, and in the end, becomes a hero.

Sicoe Vlad wrote:In terms of movies, I like Pocahontas better, mainly because of the fantastic musical score.

Finally someone else who agrees with me! Shall we be friends? Haha.

DisneyFan09 wrote:

Sicoe Vlad wrote:In terms of movies, I like Pocahontas better, mainly because of the fantastic musical score.

Finally someone else who agrees with me! Shall we be friends? Haha.

I have to admit I prefer Pocahontas as a movie.
I think Glen Keane did a great job on Pocahontas - she is visually stunning (I know all Disney princesses are but I love the look of Pocahontas, only second to Aurora). She also has a grave I have visited thus combining two of my pleasures.

But I do got the love for Mulan and think with honesty she is probably the more interesting character of the two.
If there was a Gun to my head - Pocahontas wins it.

Mulan.

I'm actually surprised. I prefer Pocahontas, but not by a huge lead. I like Pocahontas mainly for the same reason I like Cinderella; they both have a quiet dignity ("queenly grace," perhaps?) and warmness to them that is different from most other heroines Disney's had.

I do like Mulan though, but she's not one of my favorites. I find Mulan the better film. Oh, and... "Just Around the Riverbend" > "Reflection" > "Colors of the Wind."

thedisneyspirit wrote:People always mischaracterize her as this rude bitchy tomboy (don't you mean Merida), when in fact she's very selfless and kind and brave without being condencensing about it..

They do? I didn't know.

DisneyFan09 wrote:

Sicoe Vlad wrote:In terms of movies, I like Pocahontas better, mainly because of the fantastic musical score.

Finally someone else who agrees with me! Shall we be friends? Haha.

Let's!

Mulan, without a doubt. I respect Pocahontas, for all the reasons everyone's mentioned. She's a leader, probably the best one out of the princesses. But she feels flat, like it's hard for me to think of her as an actual person. Mulan seems more real and relatable. She has good motivation and character development. Mulan's probably my favourite Disney heroine period.