Mulan (2020)
Normally, a $30+ price tag for a family to see a "theatrical new-release" would be a fair deal but it's too high for 2020's Mulan, a movie destined to live in its predecessor's shadow.
In imperial China, young Hua Mulan (Crystal Rao) is told by her parents to hide her qi-powered magical abilities. Such combat-relevant skills are associated with witchcraft in women and more suited for men. Instead, Mulan (played as an adult by Yifei Liu), will bring honour to her family through marriage. When Rouran warriors led by Böri Khan (Jason Scott Lee) and his witch Xianniang (Gong Li) invade the country, Mulan disguises herself as a man and takes her father’s place in the emperor’s army.
Unlike Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin or The Lion King, this remake tries something different. The musical numbers are absent. As are the animal sidekicks and romantic subplot. It features live actors, with a greater emphasis on wuxia-style action. Though it was directed by Niki Caro, it has a Chinese epic feel.
Unfortunately, Yifei Liu has little screen presence and displays no charisma. She’s not exclusively to blame for your resistance towards her character. Turning The Ballad of Mulan into a superhero story wasn't a good choice. Our heroine doesn't need to train hard, strategize, or out-think her opponents because she's never an underdog. Not with her airbender-like abilites.
The next problem is the screenplay. Although you spend just under two hours with these characters, you don’t get to know any of them, which makes the stakes insignificant. Did anyone we were supposed to care about die in this war epic? Beats me. Unless someone’s given a weird name, you don't knoe who’s special and who’s just filling out the crowd. If at least the villain was threatening… but he's as intimidating as a balloon. During the big climax, his actions range from inexplicable to idiotic and suicidal. How could he be a match for Mulan when her kicks can send spears through people’s torso? Oh right, he’s got a witch working for him. Xianniang can single-handedly defeat dozens of warriors but at every opportunity, Böri Khan's men ridicule and insult her. Why’s she working for them instead of being in charge? So she and Mulan have something in common?
There are some major holes in this plot, particularly when you hear what Böri Khan intends to do with the Emperor once he gets grubby paws on him. In another film, you’d ignore the flaws because you’d be having fun. There’s no fun in Mulan at all. When the tiniest hint of humor appears, it’s promptly stomped dead. You’d trade away half the grandiose vistas for 30 seconds’ worth of Eddie Murphy.
The more distant you are from 1998's Mulan, the likelier you chances of enjoying the remake. Even on its own, major flaws on the story and screenplay level make 2020's Mulan a wobbly tale of empowerment that gets worse the more you think about it. (September 10, 2020)
