Why is Mulan 2020 different?

The biggest, immediately observable changes were the removal of all the musical numbers, the elimination of the character Mushu, and the splitting of Mulan's love interest, Li Shang, into two different characters. All three decisions led to a massive outcry from fans.

Why is the new Mulan so different?

The team behind the new movie explained the change was down to the #MeToo movement - they felt Mulan's officer becoming her love interest felt a bit off given his position of power. The fan pushback was largely down to the view Li Shang is a bisexual icon as he falls for Mulan before she reveals her true identity.

Why is Mulan 2020 so controversial?

The abundant controversies that had dogged “Mulan” over its gestation — false rumors that Disney was casting a white lead actress, calls for a boycott after its star expressed support for the Hong Kong police — had largely dissipated by Sept. 4, when the film arrived online.

Is Mulan 2020 better than the original?

1998's. Mulan 2020 and the animated Mulan tell very different versions of the same story, based on the Chinese poem "The Ballad of Mulan." While the live-action remake is more faithful to the source material, the animated Mulan ultimately tells a better story.

Why is Mulan different from the original?

Instead of a dragon, a cricket and a love interest, there's a phoenix, a soldier named Cricket and a new connection. There are tweaks to the cast of supporting characters. For starters, Mulan no longer has a guardian dragon named Mushu (voiced by Eddie Murphy in the animated movie) or a cricket sidekick.

EVERYTHING CULTURALLY WRONG WITH MULAN 2020 (And How They Could've Been Fixed)

Why did they change Mushu in Mulan?

The new film's director explained that a new cast of comrades for the film's protagonist felt more realistic. Mushu may have also been removed due to criticism of the 1998 animated film's portrayal of the talking dragon, according to the film's producer.

Why did Mulan change from FA to Hua?

Wei is the name of a ruling kingdom during the Warring states period from 430 to 225 BCE. Zhu means “vermillion.” When called out on the name change, Disney responded by saying that Fa was the Cantonese pronunciation of Hua. That's true but Mulan is the Mandarin pronunciation.

Which version of Mulan is best?

Though many may be unfamiliar with it, there is another prominent live–action film about the Fa Mulan legend: the 2009 Chinese film Hua Mulan, also known as Mulan: Rise of a Warrior. This is not only a superior adaptation, but a far better and more enjoyable cinematic experience.

Is the new Mulan closer to the original story?

Disney's live-action Mulan loosely remakes the 1998 animated movie, but it's much closer to the original Chinese poem "The Ballad of Mulan." While both movies tell Hua Mulan's story as she disguises herself as a man to join the Imperial Army, Mulan 2020 gets rid of the songs and comedic side characters in favor of a ...

Is Mulan 1998 culturally accurate?

One of the biggest complaints about Disney's animated Mulan is the fact that it is not entirely historically accurate. There are several discrepancies about the past that teach children the wrong message about this culture.

Is Disney banned in China?

Disney produced and distributed the film despite objections China voiced during production, causing China to issue a temporary ban on all Disney films. The ban ended in 1999 with the release of Mulan, and the studio issued an apology during the early negotiation process to build Shanghai Disney Resort.

What is the message of Mulan 2020?

Just as the animated classic challenged the message of the Ballad, so too does Caro's version. Mulan 2020 is not only about honor and sacrifice, it is about being true to yourself, which is a modern addition to the Hua Mulan story.

Is Mulan a feminist?

Introduction. Disney released the film Mulan in 1998 during the third wave of feminism, so perhaps this can explain why at first glance, Mulan seems to be a feminist film encouraging the individual empowerment of women. Despite positive feminist images, the film is not free from traditional gender stereotypes.

Is Mulan whitewashed?

Mulan 2020 movie producer Jason Reed says the whitewashing rumors that emerged during the casting phase of the Disney film were never true. Disney's Mulan live-action movie producer Jason Reed says the whitewashing rumors that emerged during the casting phase of the film were never true.

Why did they give Mulan a sister?

While this isn't the first version of the centuries old Mulan story to give the character a sister, it is a change for Disney, and producer Jason Reed explained on-set that the character was added in order to act as a contrast, by showing how Mulan is different from what is expected among traditional Chinese women ...

What did they change in the new Mulan?

The biggest, immediately observable changes were the removal of all the musical numbers, the elimination of the character Mushu, and the splitting of Mulan's love interest, Li Shang, into two different characters. All three decisions led to a massive outcry from fans.

How many versions of Mulan are there?

But “The Ballad of Mulan” has spawned no fewer than 14 film adaptations — not counting “Mulan II,” Disney's 2004 direct-to-video animated feature. Most have never been released stateside or even subtitled in English.

How old was Mulan when she got married?

Married off to a stranger at 13

It's believed that Mulan lived during the Wei dynasty, a time when young girls were forced to marry when they were as young as 13 years old - a rule imposed by the government, according to researchers. Women were seen as servants from birth.

Is Mulan Japanese or Chinese?

What Culture Is Mulan Based On? Mulan was derived from a Chinese folk story called the Ballad of Mulan. It was created during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534).

Why is live-action Mulan problematic?

There was controversy last year when lead actress Liu Yifei supported Hong Kong police in their crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations. And this month, keen-eyed critics noticed that part of the movie was filmed in the Chinese region of Xinjiang. Disney thanked Xinjiang authorities in the credits.

Is Matchless Mulan the same as Mulan?

It's called Matchless Mulan, and it is a 2020 Chinese film directed by Chen Cheng and starring Hu Xue Er in the title role. Very different from Disney's Mulan, Matchless Mulan is a gritty sequel story to the beloved tale that leans into the horror and violence inherent in the original legend.

Is Mulan 2020 Funny?

Disney's Mulan is a masterpiece: entertaining, sparklingly funny, striking in its use of artistic angles and imagery, and bold in its feminism and its positive representation of Asian characters.

What was Mulan's fake name?

See, Mulan comes from the Fa family, thus making her full (fake) name "Fa Ping," which means "flower vase." But the term is also used to describe a woman whose only real skill is to stand there, look nice, and "Don't you worry your pretty little head 'bout it none," just like an actual flower vase.

What is Mulan's name when she is disguised as a boy 2020?

Yifei Liu as Mulan, the eldest daughter of Hua Zhou, who defies both tradition and the law by disguising herself as a man by the name of "Hua Jun", in order to enlist herself in the Imperial Army in place of her ailing father. Liu reprised her role in the Mandarin-language dubbing of the movie.

What is written on Mulan's sword?

In the new version, Mulan carries her father's sword with the words "Loyal," "Brave," "True" etched into the blade. The phrase is repeated throughout the film, speaking to the theme of the story. Mulan: Loyal, brave, and true.