Mulan Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Girl avoids an awkward marriage proposal, accidentally joins the army, causes an avalanche, then uses fireworks to defeat a warlord; basically, she aced her gap year.

🍿 Mulan: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Call to Arms

When the Hun army, led by the ruthless Shan Yu, breaches the Great Wall, the Emperor orders a general mobilization, requiring one man from each family to serve in the Imperial Army. Mulan, a young woman struggling to find her place in society, learns that her aging and injured father is to be conscripted. To save him from certain death, she decides to take his place, disguising herself as a man named Ping.

Training and Discovery

Mulan, with the help of the demoted dragon Mushu, joins the army and endures rigorous training under Captain Li Shang. She struggles to keep her identity a secret while proving her worth as a soldier. Through perseverance, she becomes one of the most skilled warriors in the company. However, her true identity is eventually revealed after she’s wounded in battle.

Saving the Emperor

After being exposed, Mulan is banished from the army but discovers that Shan Yu and a handful of his warriors survived the avalanche. She races to the Imperial City to warn everyone, but is initially dismissed. When Shan Yu captures the Emperor, Mulan, with the help of Shang and her former comrades, infiltrates the palace. A final confrontation ensues, resulting in Shan Yu’s defeat and the Emperor’s rescue.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mulan (Ming-Na Wen): A courageous and determined young woman who disguises herself as a man to take her father’s place in the army and save China.
• Mushu (Eddie Murphy): A small, comedic dragon and Mulan’s unlikely guardian, striving to regain his status with the ancestors.
• Li Shang (BD Wong): The disciplined and honorable captain who trains Mulan and eventually falls in love with her.
• Shan-Yu (Miguel Ferrer): The ruthless and menacing leader of the Huns, determined to conquer China.
• Fa Zhou (Soon-Tek Oh): Mulan’s respected and loving father, whose vulnerability inspires Mulan’s selfless act.
• Chi Fu (James Hong): The Emperor’s pompous and sexist advisor who consistently underestimates Mulan’s abilities.
• The Emperor (Pat Morita): The wise and benevolent ruler of China, who ultimately recognizes Mulan’s bravery and honors her.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mushu: “Dishonor! Dishonor on your whole family! Make a note of this: Dishonor on you, dishonor on your cow!” – Mushu comically overreacts to his failure to awaken the Great Stone Dragon.
• Mulan: “Maybe I didn’t go to save China. Maybe I did it so I could prove I could do something right.” – Mulan reflects on her motivations after being rejected and left behind by the army.
• Fa Zhou: “The greatest gift and honor is having you for a daughter.” – Fa Zhou says this to Mulan after she returns home, having saved China, showing that family honor is more than just traditional roles.
• Shang: “Let’s get down to business, to defeat the Huns!” – Shang sings this line during the iconic training montage song, emphasizing his determination.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $90,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $120,620,254
• Worldwide Gross: $304,320,254

💥 Mulan Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved Mulan! It was one of the first movies where I saw a female character who was both strong and vulnerable. The scene where she decides to take her father’s place always gets me. I also loved Mushu; Eddie Murphy’s performance was hilarious! It felt so inspiring and empowering. Definitely a classic that I’ll keep rewatching!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Disney animated classics”
  • “Viewers who enjoy stories about strong female characters”
  • “Families looking for an adventure film with positive messages”
  • “People interested in Chinese culture and folklore”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild cartoon violence”
  • “War themes”
  • “Some potentially scary scenes (e.g., the Hun attack)”
  • “Brief moments of peril”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Mulan is a visual treat, expertly blending humor and action. While Eddie Murphy’s Mushu sometimes steals the show, Mulan’s journey of self-discovery resonates deeply. The film’s emotional core shines through, making it a standout in Disney’s animated canon. The cultural reverence is evident, enhancing the storytelling.
• The New York Times: “A refreshing take on the Disney formula, Mulan offers a strong female lead in a culturally rich setting. The animation is stunning, particularly the battle sequences. While the songs aren’t as memorable as previous Disney hits, the story’s heart and Mulan’s determination make it a worthwhile watch.
• Los Angeles Times: “Mulan cleverly subverts traditional gender roles while delivering a captivating adventure. The film’s visual style is impressive, and the voice acting is top-notch. Although some historical inaccuracies exist, the film’s spirit and message of empowerment shine through.

Audience Reactions

Mulan’s bravery and determination to save her father resonated with many viewers.: Viewers praised the film’s strong female lead, cultural representation, and mix of humor and action.

The avalanche scene was a visual highlight, showcasing Disney’s animation skills.: Audiences loved the visually stunning animation, especially during action-packed sequences like the avalanche and the final battle.

Overall Consensus: Mulan is a celebrated Disney classic known for its strong female lead, cultural representation, and engaging story, although some found the songs less memorable compared to other Disney films.

Awards

1. Annie Awards (Outstanding Individual Achievement for Directing in an Animated Feature Production)- 1999
2. Annie Awards (Outstanding Individual Achievement for Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production)- 1999

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Mulan touches her hair a lot because animators noticed that Ming-Na Wen did during recording sessions.”
• “The animators studied Chinese art and landscape paintings to create the film’s visual style, aiming for a look reminiscent of classic Chinese art.”
• “Lea Salonga, who provided Mulan’s singing voice, also voiced Princess Jasmine in ‘Aladdin’.”
• “To accurately depict the battle scenes, the production team consulted with military experts.”

🖥️ How to Watch Mulan?

Mulan is available to stream on Disney+. You can also purchase or rent the movie on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable and satellite availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Mulan, you might like these similar films:

• Brave (2012): Features a strong-willed female protagonist who defies traditional expectations to protect her family and forge her own path.
• Ella Enchanted (2004): A young woman with magical abilities embarks on a journey, disguising herself to fight against injustice and discover her true strength.
• Anastasia (1997): An animated film with a strong female lead, adventure, and historical context.
• Turning Red (2022): Explores themes of cultural expectations, family honor, and female empowerment, similar to ‘Mulan’, but set in a modern context.

🛒 Mulan Related Products

• Disney Mulan Exclusive Funko Pop! Vinyl Figure [Glitter Gown Mulan]: This Mulan Funko Pop! depicts her in a beautiful glittery gown. A unique addition for collectors, offering a stylized representation of Mulan’s iconic character.
• Disney Mulan Warrior Figure Play Set: This is a perfect way to add the best of Mulan to your collection. With multiple, realistic figurines, they will stand out for years to come.
• Disney Mulan Classic Doll: A classic doll beautifully recreating Mulan’s iconic look. This doll brings the character to life with detailed features and is great for both play and display.
• Disney Mulan – Nintendo Switch: A high quality addition to the wide range of Nintendo Games. An adaption to play with the whole family, for hours of endless entertainment.

🎧 Soundtrack

Mulan features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Reflection” – performed by Lea Salonga
• “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” – performed by Donny Osmond
• “Honor to Us All” – performed by Beth Fowler, Freda Foh Shen, Marni Nixon, Lea Salonga, and the Female Choir

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Mulan BUT it’s Historically Accurate!

Ever wondered what Mulan would look like if it was historically accurate? This video takes a hilarious swing at answering that question, giving us a fresh and funny take on the classic Disney movie.

Mulan explained by an Asian

Curious about how an Asian person views Mulan? This video offers an insightful explanation of the movie from an Asian perspective, providing a unique and valuable viewpoint on the film.

Mulan 1998 vs Mulan 2020 Comparison

Want to see how the live-action Mulan stacks up against the animated classic? This video compares scenes from both movies, giving you a unique opportunity to see the similarities and differences firsthand.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ueNjLfOqrXk

The Real Story of Mulan

Did you know there’s a real story behind the legendary Mulan? This video takes a fascinating dive into the historical context surrounding the character, giving us a glimpse into the actual events that inspired the movie.

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