Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Mulan Gold Collection DVD
"Mulan" is one of the strongest entries by Disney in the late 90's. Aside from fantastic animation, what really makes this movie so great is it's intense epic-like unfolding (which should attract adults), with the Disney comedic angle (Mushu, the Dragon) to attract the kids.Disney's 36th Animated release, also offers a strong message that I really don't think any of their films have had since Pinocchio. A child, whether being a wooden-boy or in this case a teenaged girl, can have courage and be unselfish when it comes to helping or protecting their family. The DVD edition has a great picture presentation, and the Surround Sound is very effective. Especially during the stampede, which seemed to come out of "The Lion King".
Rating: - The best I've seen in years.
I bought animated Disney movies long before I had a daughter to buy them for. This movie is a prime example of why I did. The money I spent on Mulan is the best investment I've made in several years. The music is strong and beautifully done. The characters while drawn in a simple and graceful style are detailed and very memorable. The voice talents were impressive, but it is the caliber of the co-starring and bit player parts that impressed me the most. James Shigeta as Shang's father, Pat Morita as the emperor, and George Takei as the first ancestor were as entertaining for me as Mulan and Mushu themselves. I write for a living and I only wish I had as talented and lucky a cricket to help ME. My daughter watches this movie constantly and I pop in whenever I hear a song coming up. This one will be watched over and over again in our house.
Rating: - One of my favorite Disney movies
It used to be that female Disney characters were giggling girls with helium-like voices that needed their Prince to come. Not anymore."Mulan" is based from a Chinese fable about a girl (of the same name) who can't see herself conforming to the role Chinese society puts her in (that of a bride and good Daughter-in-Law)and is told that she will never "bring honor to her family". When the Huns invade China, the Emperor (Pat Morita) calls one man from every family to serve in the Chinese army. Mulan has no brothers, so her injured Father is given notice instead. Desperate to save her Father, and to finally bring "honor" to her family, Mulan cuts her hair, steals her Father's conscription notice, armor and sword, and sets off for the Chinese army camp. The dead ancestors assemble to send a "guardian" to protect her (if the army finds out she's a woman, the law says she is to be killed). Inadvertently, the guardian sent is Mushu (Eddie Murphy), a demoted dragon ancestor who, like Mulan, just can't get it right. He teaches Mulan to act like a man, gives her the name "Ping" as a disguise and helps protect her secret. Mulan goes on to seriously cripple the Hun army's strategies and is praised. But when the Army leader discovers her secret, she is cast out. Now what? This fable makes a powerful statement for young girls and women: we can do anything we set our minds to despite the odds. I'm thrilled my 4 year old daughter loves this film, and hope she walks away from it with the same confidence Mulan displays. The songs are beautiful, as is the scenery (in one scene, the Hun army comes down a snow covered mountain, and it is impressive- I only wish I'd seen it in the theater). The very best in the recent "girl as independent heroine" themed Disney movies. Eddie Murphy has really found his nitch in voice-overs- he is hilarious in this film.
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