This is an edited version of my article written for a university assignment with Deakin University, submitted August 2, 2019.
The recent release of the live-action Mulan trailer has caused worldwide debate about the cultural accuracy of the revised film.
The true Mulan story depicts the heroine as being from northern China. The presence in the remake of roundhouses, however, is considered inaccurate as these are structures culturally iconic to southeastern Chinese communities. This has been called into question by fans about the true portrayal of Chinese identity in the Disney movie, and whether it is an authentic portrayal of the story.
Singaporean, Mickey Mause, said on Twitter that she was undecided about the quality of the remake, and hoped for the best with respect to the accuracy of the Chinese heritage it is striving to communicate to viewers.
“I’m glad ... Mulan is running on a different course [from the animation]”, she posted on Facebook. “I do hope that the movie delves deeper, with a more complex plot and with a great touch of the ancient Chinese tradition, family culture, and the pride of [a] woman who saves China.”
The recreation is considered by supporters as an opportunity for Disney to correct inaccuracies in the 1998 animated version. This could redeem the movie’s reputation, particularly in the eyes of Disney’s extensive Asian audience.
Fans of Crystal Liu Yifei, the actress set to fill the lead role, say they are thrilled about the movie. “[She’s] the Mulan we deserve”, Yifei Liu’s fan club posted on Facebook.
Despite the excitement, however, viewers are concerned about the exclusion of key components of the original film. It is reported that Eddie Murphy’s character, Mushu, a comedic dragon from the 1998 film, does not feature in the remake. This news has sparked consternation from many, including American, Fidel Caballero (@fcshtx).
“So [people] are tripping on the Little Mermaid [remake] but I’m more mad at the fact that Mushu isn’t in the live action Mulan,” Caballero posted on Twitter.
Mulan’s love interest, General Li Shang, has also been omitted, along with iconic songs from the 1998 movie. These exclusions from the original version, have left many viewers, including American, Derek Wolfgang Jung, wondering whether the remake is acting as an independent movie rather than a reconstruction of the 1998 animation.
“...I’m confused [-] is this a remake or a new movie[?]” Jung asked on Facebook.
The growing questions surrounding 2020’s Mulan remain unanswered, but anticipation for the movie’s release continues to build.
Other relevant sources:
All The Changes Made to the ‘Mulan’ Remake So Far, by Elle Australia, July 8th 2019
Disney’s Mulan trailer stirs debate in China, by The Telegraph, July 22nd 2019
Mulan sparks different questions about Chinese identity in East and West, by South China Morning Post, July 21st 2019
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