Disney is killing it with their Princesses. I adored what they did with Jasmine in the new Aladdin, the newly cast Ariel in the upcoming The Little Mermaid has the voice of a literal angel, and now Mulan is kicking ass and taking names. It was a brilliant idea to air this trailer for the first time during the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday morning, when girl power was at its highest concentration. Everyone was already tuning in to watch the US Women’s Team do their thing (Including me, despite never watching a soccer game before in my life, and it’s crazy how exciting a game can be when they don’t stop the clock every 8 seconds — lookin’ at you, American football), then we go to watch Mulan do hers.
So much is happening in this trailer, and it’s all amazing and perfect. Mulan has been one of my favorite Disney movies since it came out in 1998, as I know is also the case for a lot of people, and there’s a reason why. Just look at her go.
One of my favorite things about Aladdin is how colorful it is, and I’m thrilled to see that Mulan is looking beautiful too.
And the pops of color against that smoke are going to be unbelievable on a big theater screen.
I know a lot of people are disappointed that this version won’t have some of the beloved elements from the animated version like Mushu, the songs, and Shang, but I’m very into the more historical epic feel. What would be the point of these movies if they were going to be essentially a shot for shot remake of the one we already know? Putting a newer spin on it is a good thing, if you can even call this a “new” spin. This version of Mulan looks like it’s going to be much more in alignment with the original legend, which is thousands of years old. Mulan is still the central character, and she still saves the day, and that’s all we really need.
This is also the first time one of these movies will be directed by a woman. Niki Caro most recently directed The Zookeeper’s Wife, but is also known for Whale Rider and North Country, which tells the story of the first class-action sexual harassment lawsuit in the Unites States and is absolutely essential viewing. Of the film’s four writers, three are women. This is one of the reimaginings I’ve been the most excitedly impatient for, a feeling that’s even more heightened after seeing this first trailer. What an experience this movie is going to be for a new generation of young people.
Read Disney’s official synopsis:
When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into an honored warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation…and a proud father. “Mulan” features a celebrated international cast that includes: Yifei Liu as Mulan; Donnie Yen as Commander Tung; Jason Scott Lee as Böri Khan; Yoson An as Cheng Honghui; with Gong Li as Xianniang and Jet Li as the Emperor. The film is directed by Niki Caro from a screenplay by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver and Elizabeth Martin & Lauren Hynek based on the narrative poem “The Ballad of Mulan.”
