*Movie Review*"Mulan"

Hiya guys! How are you?

DRL has another movie review for you! I love Disney movies (laugh if you want, but they rock), and Mulan is one of my all-time faves!! Her story in history was amazing, and Disney's depiction of her was just as fantastic.

Check out my review, and let me know what you think of this movie in the comments below!

~Released: June 19th, 1998

~Directed By: Tony Bancroft & Barry Cook

~Staring: Ming-Na Wen, Lea Salonga, BD Wong, Donny Osmond, & Eddie Murphy

~Genres: Animation, Adventure, Family, Musical, War

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"The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all."

To save her father from death in the army, a young maiden secretly goes in his place and becomes one of China's greatest heroines in the process.

Rated G

Mild references to gender and dressing/undressing (for bed, etc).

Some violence and fighting scenes - not gory.

~ 5/5 Roses ~

"The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all."

This is one of my all-time favorite films.  It is deeply meaningful to me, emotionally, spiritually and mentally.  I watch it when I'm in need of strength, encouragement, and inspiration.

The first few scenes very accurately show the generational pressure to fit into a certain image of "perfection" and how to be a "proper" woman.  Tradition, general social expectations, and family honor all roll into the pressure Mulan feels to fit in, even though she feels so different.  I think that struggle is one many young girls and women have felt themselves.  While a lot of American women wouldn't be able to relate to the particular Asian traditions and cultural specifications, the general idea is one any woman I think could relate to.

The music in the film is haunting, inspiring, and encouraging.

For me, this film is one that has helped my confidence and bravery develop since I was a little girl.  The ability to be a strong, independent, confident young woman is woven beautifully with still depending on a partner to succeed, and finding love.  Instead of one or another, Mulan accomplishes both, all while finding herself, bringing honor to her family, and growing into a strong woman, and wife.

Love is the strongest theme in this film.  Mulan's love for her father is what inspires her to take his place.  Her love for her country and Emperor gives her the confidence and drive to do her absolute best and be strong and brave.  Her love for her comrades drives her to disobey, and think outside the box in order to save them.  Her love for Shang is what drives her to, in her mind, sacrifice herself to save him.  Most importantly, she learns to love herself, and in the end, learns that once she does love herself, she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to.

With love, anything is possible.

What did you think??