The 2020 live adaptation ''Mulan'' directed by Niki Caro receives backlash from the audience feeling disappointed and distraught. Disney depicts the movie as ''historically accurate and authentic'', indicating major changes from the 1998 Disney movie which presents several inaccuracies of Chinese culture.
The movie did not show diverse production staff. Personally, it contains details of Western aspects in the dialogue that seem to confound in a Chinese context. I feel very disappointed because the decisions they made did not contain the iconic scenes or the message from the original Disney Mulan let alone review it as exquisite. After all, the tone, especially in the climax or the rising action of the scenes is emotionless.
The exposition starts off by poorly interpreting the mystical energy called ''qi'' ( a.k.a. ''chi'') that warriors possess. Mulan's father Zhou (Tzi Ma) explains that qi is naturally bestowed on men and not on women and she must hide her gift. Qi, as an energy current that passes through the inside and outside of the body, is presented for both genders. Showing absurdity and misconceived the true meaning of Qi from traditional Chinese contradicts Disney's statement as ''historically accurate''. It was baffling when qi was introduced in the movie The production staff's decision to characterize Mulan as a strong and independent woman, a prodigy on martial arts, and proficient in swordsmanship does no longer need to work hard on her training is boring. Unlike the original movie from Disney presents Mulan as an ordinary girl to a strong soldier shows character development.
One aspect of the movie's change in direction is how they replaced Grandmother Fa (from the original movie) to have a younger sister that is afraid of spiders ( probably her only character trait in the movie). The meeting with the Matchmaker with a good impression was unsuccessful because the younger sister ruined it. Why did Mulan receive dishonor when it is not her fault? Her younger sister is to blame because of the commotion she caused. The cinematic transition of Mulan's poise to catch the teacups until her hair rolls down, having an impact on her balance is what the Matchmaker utterly yells that she gave dishonor to her family and is not suitable for any man makes me infuriated.
Mulan took her aged father's place in the conscription for the army by disguising herself as a man. I am bewildered by this scene because the cinematic transitions of her wearing the armor were so bland that I compared and preferred the cartoon adaptation. Speaking of the cartoon adaptation, the father's expression realizing his daughter might get killed on the battlefield brought a poignant reminder of a family's love. In the live adaption, however, his dialogue after knowing of his belongings and his daughter disappeared were '' It was Mulan'' is not what I have anticipated.
One of the widely favored songs from the original movie, ''I'll Make a Man Out of You'' by Donny Osmond is nonexistent nor reprised. Instead, the viewers receive a monotonous fighting montage. Mulan (alias Hua Jun) does show the progress of her friendship with her comrades which I find, unappealing due to the fact, the production staff does not focus on the feminine ideal, but the abundance of patriarchic roles.
The film contains flaws in spite of the adequate action and visuals. The most expensive live-action film with a $200 million budget went towards the scope and feel of large-scale war scenes. I would say that this movie is not worthwhile when it depicts misinterprets female empowerment compared to the original Disney movie.
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