Mulan 1998 Film
Mulan is a 1998 animated feature film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation, and released by Walt Disney Pictures on June 19, 1998. The thirty-sixth animated feature in the Disney animated features canon, the film is loosely based on various versions of the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan (Fa Mulan), and was the first of three produced primarily at the animation studio at Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando, Florida. It was directed by Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook, with the story by Robert D. San Souci.
The most notable voice cast member of the film was Eddie Murphy, who provided the voice for the dragon Mushu. Other cast members included Ming-Na as Fa Mulan and B.D. Wong as Captain Li Shang.
The film out-grossed its predecessors, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Hercules in domestic income, taking over $120 million and over $304 million worldwide. It is among one of Disney's most popular and successful movies to date.
The Chinese legend of Hua Mulan centers on a young woman who disguises herself as a man to take the place of her elderly father in the army. The story can be traced back to The Ballad of Mulan. The earliest accounts of the legend state that she lived during the Northern Wei dynasty (386–534). However another version reports that Mulan was requested as a concubine by Emperor Yang of Sui China (reigned 604–617). The film may take place even later, as it prominently features landmarks such as the Forbidden City which was not constructed until the 15th Century. On the other hand, at the time of Northern Wei, the Xiongnu (called Huns in the movie) had been already absorbed into Chinese and other races and disappeared from the stage of history. However, according to the style of dress (traditional Han clothing), the film most definitely takes place sometime in the 15th century or before. The fireworks featured in the movie indicate that the movie is set during or after the Han dynasty, due to the fact that fireworks were invented in (206BC-AD 220).
Disney's Mulan casts the title character in much the same way as the original legend, a rough-around-the-edges daughter of a respected veteran, somewhat troubled by being the "sophisticated lady" her society expects. When the Huns, led by the ruthless Shan Yu, invade China, it is declared that one man from every family must serve in the Imperial army, so each family is given a conscription notice. Mulan's father has to serve in the army, but due to an old wound from a previous war he served in, he cannot walk properly. He is willing to serve in the army, but it is clear that he will not survive if he does. One night, after a brief confrontation and argument, Mulan cuts her hair with her father's sword and ties it up. She then takes his conscription notice, armor, and weapons; and thus rides away on her horse Khan to join the army.
At the same time, Mushu, an unusually small dragon who has been demoted to gong ringer for Mulan's ancestors, is asked to awaken the "Great Stone Dragon", a family guardian. The "Great Stone Dragon" is to be sent to bring Mulan back home. However, Mushu accidently destroys the "Great Stone Dragon", panics, but then realizes that this could be an opportunity to earn his place among the guardians again if he can make Mulan a war hero. Mulan's newly received good luck charm, a cricket named Cri-Kee tags along with Mushu as well.
Although Mulan starts out weak in comparison to her fellow soldiers, she works hard and is soon even stronger than the rest and becomes a respected part of her group, which is led by Captain Li Shang. During this training portion of the movie, fellow soldiers are introduced including Ling, Yao and Chien Po.
The troops complete their training, but Chi Fu - the Emperor's meddling, sexist adviser - refuses to let them see battle. However, Mushu and Cri-Kee forge a letter ordering Li Shang to take his men to the front lines. The troops set out to meet with General Li, Li Shang's father who has already left on a mission to protect the Imperial City from the Huns. However, Li Shang and his newly trained troops discover that the General and his men have been killed.
Captain Li Shang and his troops continue on over the Chinese landscape, disheartened by their loss when they are ambushed by Hun archers. The troops defeat the Huns with cannons. A calm comes over the land and Captain Li's troops believe they've won the battle but soon discover that they are significantly outnumbered when they see thousands of Huns, Shan Yu amongst them, surround the mountain ridge above them. Captain Li encourages his soldiers but they all realize that they are out manned and out armed. As they are setting up the last cannon to fire at the Huns, Mulan spots a precarious mound of snow on the upper mountain side. As the Huns charge down the mountain Mulan snags the cannon, runs with it, and (with Mushu's "help") fires the rocket at the snow mound. The collision of the rocket and the snow mound causes an avalanche which spreads over the charging Huns burying them under the snow. Just after the rocket is launched, Shan Yu cuts her in the midsection as he is swept away by the avalanche. Captain Li's soldiers take refuge under a rock while Mulan rescues Captain Li whose being swept away on his horse by the snow. When all of Captain's Li's troops are safe and it appears the battle has been won, Captain Li is expressing his gratitude to Mulan when Mulan grabs her stomach area and winces in pain. Medical help is summoned.
During treatment for her injuries, they discover that she is actually a woman. Captain Li is notified and is expected to execute Mulan for her impersonation but he spares her life and considers his pardon an exchange for Mulan saving his life. Instead Captain Li expels her from the army. Mulan decides to return home with her companions Cri-Kee and Mushu but as they move along through the mountain pass they hear Shan Yu's roars and look to see Shan Yu and several other Huns emerging from the snow that had blanketed them during the earlier battle. Mulan tries to warn Captain Li and his troops but they don't listen as they are heralded by citizens in a parade for their war efforts. Mulan also tries to warn the citizenry but they shun her. Mushu informs her that it's because she's a woman. As the Emperor addresses the crowd, the Huns, disguised as parade characters, kidnap the Emperor. Captain Li and his troops attempt to follow the Huns and the Emperor into the Emperor's palace but they are locked out. Mulan devises a play with the cooperation of Chien Po, Ling and Yao to dress as woman, scale the castle wall and more easily infiltrate the castle interior by pretending to be concubines. When the Huns lower their defenses in the presence of the "women", Mulan and her friends swiftly dispatch them all. During this attack the Emperor is safely removed from the palace by Chien Po, but Captain Li and Mulan are both trapped on the balcony with Shan Yu. Shan Yu is about kill Captain Li when Mulan gets his attention. The Hun recognizes her from the mountain battle and gives chase. Mulan lures Shan Yu onto the palace rooftop, where Mushu and Cri-kee propel a huge firecracker that hits Shun Yu and carries him off to his demise.
When the Emperor meets Mulan at the end of this battle, he tells her that he's heard of her (most likely from Chi Fu). At first the Emperor in an accusatory tone lists Mulan's sins...stealing her father's armor, running away from home, impersonating a soldier, embarassing the Chinese Army, and destroying his palace but then he softens his tone and says, "and you have saved us all!" The Emperor then bows to Mulan and her fellow soldiers and in succession the people of China witnessing the incident follow suit. The Emperor then offers Mulan a position in his staff but Mulan politely refuses the offer and advises that she wants to return home. This is impossible in the past as an emperor never bows down to other people no matter who they are and what they did. During this time the Emperor praises Mulan in a conversation to Captain Li and implies that Mulan is a very admirable woman (wife).
Upon her return, Mulan expects to be reprimanded but is instead embraced by her family. Soon after, Captain Li arrives telling Mulan she forgot her(father's) helmet in an obvious guise to speak with her. Meanwhile, the ancestors reluctantly agree to make Mushu a guardian once more.
