The new live-action Mulan puts a fresh spin on the familiar story, introducing alterations like substituting Mushu with a phoenix and modifying relationships within the family—changes that generated discussion but seemed intended to create a more sensible storyline. Although Liu Yifei is capable in her role, the movie occasionally fails to capture the grand and mythic quality of the earlier version, possibly because …

Having missed the initial film in this series, I wasn’t able to make comparisons, which perhaps benefited my viewing experience as I approached it without preconceptions. I often feel uneasy when films rely on startling moments that don't seem authentic—like performers appearing to float with visible rigging—but even though those elements were present, they didn't detract significantly from the film. The cast seemed …

It was an unsatisfactory viewing experience; I don’t anticipate returning to it and can’t suggest others do either. I now understand why people have been so enthusiastic about this film. It seems largely due to its departure from the original, essentially abandoning what made that one special and beginning anew. The filmmakers intentionally removed the humor and fantastical creatures of the first installment i…

This remake was high on my list of anticipated movies for 2020. Having generally enjoyed Disney’s previous remakes, I was excited that the 1998 film *Mulan* would be getting a similar treatment. Director Niki Caro stated her intention to create a significantly different version of the familiar story—a more realistic adaptation of the Chinese tale, without songs or beloved characters like Mushu. This immediately set e…