Just finished watching this movie. I never really watched the original Disney animated Mulan so I have nothing to compare this movie to. As usual this is not a review, just my thoughts and impressions of the movie.
Liu Yifei
She plays Mulan and does so wonderfully. I love the relationship she has with her sister, how she looks out for her how she also looks up to her. Her father was different from most typical fathers of the time, he indulged her and allowed her flourish as a kid, doing what she wanted to do, nurturing her spirit, well, until external pressures made him change. That's the sad thing about life, we tend to start out quite well until external pressures force us to conform to the pattern of this life. The challenge is to somehow never change, to find a way to keep that inner child, that wild one alive somewhere and carry it with you. When the time is right it will come out.
She plays Mulan and does so wonderfully. I love the relationship she has with her sister, how she looks out for her how she also looks up to her. Her father was different from most typical fathers of the time, he indulged her and allowed her flourish as a kid, doing what she wanted to do, nurturing her spirit, well, until external pressures made him change. That's the sad thing about life, we tend to start out quite well until external pressures force us to conform to the pattern of this life. The challenge is to somehow never change, to find a way to keep that inner child, that wild one alive somewhere and carry it with you. When the time is right it will come out.
She played the role of a male soldier very close to convincingly. It was obvious to me that she was a girl, I don't know how anyone would confuse her. The shape of her head, how her hair falls into place, key eyes, the whole physique. I know it's a movie but I was not convinced just so anxious she doesn't get caught as a girl in camp. So much that I had to break the movie into a two days because I couldn't stand the possibility of her being found out. The scene by the lake was too close for comfort. I should have known, but still.
Traditional Beliefs
I didn't care too much for all the talk about Chi and Pheonix guarding Mulan, stuff like that. No disrespect for people who believe that stuff but, I just blanked those parts out of my mind and focused on what I think it a decent story.
Family
So for me this movie is about Honor, Respect, Honesty, Truth, Bravery, Family and being your true self. It sucks doing something that is deceitful, it's like a knot being tied in your stomach and it kills you inside. The first time you try it, it's super difficult but if you persist, it gets easier, only your inner death is complete. It's never worth it to do something deceitfully.
So for me this movie is about Honor, Respect, Honesty, Truth, Bravery, Family and being your true self. It sucks doing something that is deceitful, it's like a knot being tied in your stomach and it kills you inside. The first time you try it, it's super difficult but if you persist, it gets easier, only your inner death is complete. It's never worth it to do something deceitfully.
Speaking the truth sometimes make you feel dirty but it's better. Sometimes you don't get rewarded for saying the truth, you could even get fired but it's worth it. It's far better to speak the truth than to continue keeping a lie.
Family is the core of every society. When the family is strong, the society is strong. Never neglect your family. Honor them. Value them.
The Witch
We have to make the right choices. Too bad what happened to her but I guess she tried to redeem herself in the end. Don't join with Witches, don't make the same mistakes they made.
I enjoyed the movie, as a movie. Some people complain about many things in this movie. I think it's fine. No need to over-analyze and criticize.
That's it.