While Mulan looks better on Blu-ray, we are sacrificing some bonus material that was on the old DVD:All galleries are lost in the leap from DVD to Blu-ray. There were ten Character Design galleries holding several hundred images, three Visual Development galleries amassing around 100 images, a 13-image Backgrounds & Layouts gallery, and a Publicity Art gallery holding 32 images. The interactive edutaining feature "DisneyPedia: Mulan's World", comprised of ten shorts on the film's elements and culture, is another notable casualty. Also gone: the no longer applicable introduction about being able to toggle angles for the production stages demonstration. Included on Mulan's first DVD (a non-anamorphic Limited Issue disc repackaged as a Gold Classic Collection edition) but subsequently dropped and still not resurfacing is its original theatrical trailer. That's a bummer both for fans of Randy Edelman's Dragonheart score and for those who appreciated the use of some rough animation and shots not used in the final film.
Of the four Disney films getting a new re-released on Blu-ray/DVD combo packs in March 2013, Mulan seems to be the only one that got a new DVD re-mastering, and thus lost the original bonus material. For those buying this for the Blu-ray, i would have preferred to keep the old DVD and watch those bonuses as I am not going to bother watching the movie on DVD.
So decide for yourself if it is worth buying again, only to keep your old DVD for the missing bonuses.
**Update of the soundtrack** Sorry to say, the MANDARIN soundtrack has also been dropped from both the Blu-ray and DVD of this release. You will need to keep your original DVD if you want to hear the Mandarin language.
Disney Blu-ray & DVD (March 12, 2013)
Directed by Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook
The Voices of Ming Na Wen, B. D. Wong, Eddie Murphy, George Takei, June Foray, Miguel Ferrer,
Harvey Fierstein, Jerry Tondo, Gedde Watanabe
Music by Matthew Wilder
Lyrics by David Zippel
Music Score by Jerry Goldsmith
Mulan is significant in that it was the first feature produced almost completely by Walt Disney Animation Florida, a top-flight studio that doubled as a Theme Park attraction. Guests could wander along picture windows and watch animators at work on real shorts and features. It was a wonderful thing to see while it lasted.
Mulan was also my daughter's first movie. Even though she was just a baby then, she has seen it many times since and it is one of her all-time favorites. This is a great dad and daughter movie, in any case.
The strength of Mulan is that its a story that makes a strong statement without beating it over your head. The sense and reason of equal treatment arises through character, situation and example. Within the context of a patriarchal society, the film is able to make its case without compromising its time or place. There is no question about what Mulan must do, yet she is not trying to "prove" anything,doing what she has to do for her fathers and her family's honor.
Mulan herself is one of the most engaging Disney heroines of all time. She only doubts herself once, but most of the time she just figures out what to do because it has to be done and it's right. Mulan emerges as the strongest and smartest of her fellow recruits. Rarely is such compassionate, unselfish motivation seen in film or TV.
Not one song stops the action. Mulan is not a musical, but it has extended musical sequences that are carefully planned. Donny Osmond and Lea Salonga sing their roles beautifully (this being Donny's first Disney project since he and his brothers appeared on the Disney TV show to promote The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland in 1969. (It was very groovy.)
Marni Nixon, famed Hollywood �â,¬Å"ghost singer" who dubbed Marilyn Monroe, Deborah Kerr, Natalie Wood and even Margaret O'Brien, sings for Grandmother Fa, whose voice is none other than our Lovely Lady June Foray.
2005 2-Disc DVD Bonus Features
Audio Commentary by Pam Coats, Tony Bancroft & Barry Cook
Deleted Scenes (Keep 'Em Guessing, The Prologue Chronicle, Shadow Puppets Prologue, The Betrothal, Shan-Yu Destroys the Village, Mulan's Daydream, The Emperor's Dream)
Music & More ("True to Your Heart" Video with Stevie Wonder; "True to Your Heart" Video with Raven; "I'll Make a Man Out of You" Video with Jackie Chan; Video with Christina Aguilera; "Reflection" Video in Spanish)
Backstage Disney: The Journey Begins (Discovering Mulan, The Ballad Of Hua Mulan, 1995 Presentation Reel, 1996 Presentation Reel); Story Artists' Journey (Storyboard to Film Comparison, Introduction, Storyboard Only, Final Film Only, Storyboard to Final Film Comparison), Design (Art Design, Character Design, Ballad of Color, Still Art Galleries); Production (Progression Demonstrations, Digital Production); Music (Songs of Mulan); International Mulan (Mulan's International Journey, Multi-Language Reel, Publicity Art)
DisneyPedia Activity: Mulan's World
Mulan Fun Facts
2013 Blu-ray Bonus Features:
Audio Commentary by Pam Coats, Tony Bancroft & Barry Cook
Deleted Scenes (Keep 'Em Guessing, The Prologue Chronicle, Shadow Puppets Prologue, The Betrothal, Shan-Yu Destroys the Village, Mulan's Daydream, The Emperor's Dream)
Classic Backstage Disney: Mulan Fun Facts, The Journey Begins (Discovering Mulan, The Ballad Of Hua Mulan, 1995 Presentation Reel, 1996 Presentation Reel); Story Artists' Journey (Finding Mulan, Storyboard to Film Comparison: Mushu Breaks the Dragon); Design (Art Design, Character Design, Ballad of Color); Production (Mushu Awakens, Matchmaker Meets Mulan); Digital Production (The Hun Charge, Digital Dim Sum);
Classic Music & More("I'll Make a Man Out of You" Video with Jackie Chan; "Reflection" Video with Christina Aguilera; "Reflejo" Video with Lucero; Songs of Mulan
2013 DVD Bonus Features
Audio Commentary by Pam Coats, Tony Bancroft & Barry Cook
Deleted Scenes (Keep 'Em Guessing, The Prologue Chronicle, Shadow Puppets Prologue, The Betrothal, Shan-Yu Destroys the Village, Mulan's Daydream, The Emperor's Daydream)
Classic Music & More ("True to Your Heart" Video with Stevie Wonder; "True to Your Heart" Video with Raven; "I'll Make a Man Out of You" Video with Jackie Chan; "Reflection" Video with Christina Aguilera; "Reflejo" Video with Lucero; Multi-Language Presentation; Mulan's International Journey; Multi-Language Presentation)
Classic Backstage Disney (Finding Mulan, Mulan's Fun Facts)
Mulan II (2004)
Disney Blu-ray & DVD (March 12, 2013)
Directed by Darrell Rooney and Lynne Southerland
The Voices of Ming Na Wen, B. D. Wong, Mark Moseley, George Takei, June Foray, Harvey Fierstein,
Jerry Tondo, Gedde Watanabe, Lucy Liu, Sandra Oh
Music Score by Joel McNeely
Songs by Alexa Junge and Jeanne Tesori
Making a sequel for Mulan seems, unlike those of other Disney features, a natural. You might not be able to duplicate the epic battle scenes, but you could make more of the characters and their relationships. Sadly, Mulan II falls far from what it might have been.
A better title could have been How I Met Your Mulan. Countless rom-com clichés abound. Sure, it's a contemporary take on an ancient legend, but do Mulan and Shang really have to do that "men never ask directions" routine? Sure to be dated phrases are spoken, like "Why the face? and "He's gross."
Most of the songs cover the same ground as in the first film. One might especially take exception with the song that appears to be intended as the breakout, "I Want to Be Like Other Girls." Yes, the song is about sheltered young ladies wanting to break free, but in this day and age, does every parent want their daughter to follow the crowd as these lyrics also imply?
A lot of work goes into films like these, and I regret deeply to sound so negative. There is a lot of talent evident in Mulan II, particularly the dazzling color palette. It's just that there must have been some behind the scenes disagreement about what the film was supposed to be. This is largely a comedy with most of the characters reduced to types.
In this film, Mulan makes an anachronistic speech about being shocked at arranged marriages, even though in the original film, she was fully aware of the cultural norms of her time. She went to the matchmaker fully prepared to face this situation.
This film goes on to depict a pat Brady Brides pairing of the three recruit characters from the earlier film with three princesses, perhaps suggesting that marriage is the only way for a person to be happy, as long as you can choose your partner (and get to know them for a couple of hours). Even when the princesses had discovered their independence, they reverted to another social convention and so did Mulan. Trying to have it both ways, modern and traditional, the story just gets lost in itself.
It's nice, though, to hear June Foray again, though we get to see precious little of the Fa family in the sequel.
2005 DVD Bonus Features
Deleted Scenes (Battle Sequences, Mei Flirts, The Escape Part 1, The Escape Part 2), "I Wanna Be) Like Other Girls" Video with Atomic Kittens
Voices of Mulan
Mushu's Guess Who Game
The World of Mulan Activity
2005 DVD & 2013 Blu-ray Bonus Features
Deleted Scenes (Battle Sequences, Mei Flirts, The Escape Part 1, The Escape Part 2)
"I Wanna Be) Like Other Girls" Video with Atomic Kittens
Voices of Mulan
Buy Mulan / Mulan II (3-Disc Special Edition) (1998) Now
The first Mulan Movie is my favorite Disney movie of all time. Not only do my wife and kids love it, I actually enjoy watching it with them. The story has a very positive message for kids that says they can do anything they put their minds to. On top of that, Eddie Murphy is hilarious in the role of Mushu the Dragon and the bumbling warrior sidekicks are funny too. The positive message and jokes that are funny for kids and adults make this a very watchable, and enjoyable movie... even if the kids want to watch it over and over again. The second move is not bad also, so the double pack is a great deal. One small word of caution, there are several fight scenes in these movies that may be upsetting for very little ones, but overall, the movies are great with happy endings. The movies really hold up after all these years. Highly Recommended.DreReviews
Read Best Reviews of Mulan / Mulan II (3-Disc Special Edition) (1998) Here
Based upon traditional Chinese folklore (try this take on it for a solid introduction by a noted reteller Fa Mulan: The Story of a Woman Warrior), these two movies tell the story of Fa Mulan (Ming-Na Wen), a young girl living in China in the 3rd Century BC. In the first of the two movies we learn that, as the only child of a considerable landowner, Fa Zhou (Soon-Tek Oh), who was lamed in war some years earlier, Mulan has, somewhat of necessity, grown up something of a tomboy, dressing in trousers, working in the fields, and riding her horse Khan astride; but she's found over the years that she enjoys this kind of life--the prospect of "meeting our Matchmaker (Miriam Margolyes)" terrifies her, and the process of getting "primped and polished" so that "boys will gladly go to war for [her]" seems rather stupid. But in her culture, women are at best second-class citizens, and "a girl can bring her family/Great honor...by striking a good match." Then the Huns break through the Great Wall, and the Emperor (Pat Morita) issues a conscription order across the length and breadth of his domain. To spare her father having to go to war, Mulan cuts off her hair, dresses in her father's old armor, and, accompanied by Khan, a lucky cricket given her by her mother, and a disgraced family guardian (a miniature dragon called Mushu (Eddie Murphy)), joins a company of recruits commanded by Captain Shan-Yu (Miguel Ferrer), the eager-to-prove-himself son of General Li (James Shigeta). If her disguise is discovered, she risks death, but her love for her father and her own awareness of her inward strengths make her positive that this is her only choice. At first she finds posing as a boy difficult, but before too long she proves her courage, dedication, patriotism, and ability to think quickly and use her body skilfully, and even earns the comradeship of three of the misfit recruits, diminutive squint-eyed Yao (Harvey Fierstein), jokey Ling (Gedde Watanabe), and gentle giant Chien-Po (Jerry Tondo). She saves Shan-Yu's life in the mountains, delays the Huns by causing an avalanche, is found out and disgraced, and then redeems herself when she discovers that the Huns have survived and infiltrated the Imperial City itself, and comes up with a plan to stop them.In the second movie, Mulan, now recognized as the Hero of China, has agreed to marry Shan-Yu, but before the wedding can take place, the duo are summoned by the Emperor to carry out a mission for him. The ruler of the neighboring realm of Qi Gong has agreed to help the Chinese against the still-threatening Huns if the Emperor will send three of his daughters to marry three Qi Gong princes, and as the road goes through bandit country, a stout escort is needed. Calling up Mulan's three friends, Yao, Ling, and Chien-Po, to help out, Mulan and Shan-Yu set out to deliver the princesses, Mei (Lucy Liu), Ting Ting (Sandra Oh), and Su (Lauren Tom). But there are complications. Mushu has discovered that if Mulan marries Shan-Yu, his family's guardians will take over her protection and Mushu himself will be demoted, so he's resolved to set the two against each other. And the three misfit soldiers, who had hoped that their heroism would win them wives, have discovered that finding willing girls isn't so easy--until they meet the princesses and a triple mutual attraction blooms.
Mulan is a character many girls will identify with, even in today's more liberated climate, and her struggle to balance her society's expectations with who she feels she really is carries relevant messages for adults too. Though Murphy as Mushu is slightly over the top, the other voice talents are well done, and there's plenty of fast-paced high-octane action, peril, and people doing physical things gracefully and well. (And, yes, the Huns, though they were the ancestors of today's Hungarians and ultimately went west, did in fact imperil China during this time period.) Admittedly the second movie is vaguely disappointing (at least to me), but it has its good points, and on balance the set is well worth adding to your collection.
Want Mulan / Mulan II (3-Disc Special Edition) (1998) Discount?
Disney continues their efforts to release every movie in high definition with a 3-Disc Special Edition of "Mulan" and "Mulan II." "Mulan" comes to us in a 15th Anniversary Edition which features Disney's Enhanced High Definition Picture and Sound. Interest in Mulan has been sparked once again by her appearance in the hit television show "Once Upon a Time." This two movie collection will fill in the origins of the character for those who don't already know it.In the first movie, a young Chinese maiden named Mulan disguises herself to take the place of her physically weak father. He's been called on to serve in the Army and fight the invading Huns. Her ancestors order a disgraced dragon named Mushu to join Mulan and stop her from executing her plan. He soon discovers she isn't easily discouraged and decides to assist the determined girl in her endeavors.
Although she isn't considered royalty by birth or marriage, Mulan has been inducted into the ranks of Disney Princesses. She most certainly earned it through the movie's box office success. It won several awards and was nominated for others, including an Oscar for Original Music Score.
The animation for the film is beautiful and captivating. It's at one time bright and cheerful while at others dark and bleak. I also enjoy how it resembles classic Disney films while holding its own unique Chinese flavor.
"Mulan II" has recently engaged General Li Shang and our heroine heading off on a secret mission to lead three princesses to Chang'an, China. That's not the only obstacle to their "happily ever after" they have to overcome. Mushu the Dragon is not pleased. If she marries Shang he will lose his guardian job. He must find a way to stop the wedding. Meanwhile, Mulan has her hands full helping the princesses escape their fate of marrying the Gang of Three who they don't love. A Mongolian attack and an unhappy Emperor further complicate things for Mulan and Shang.
Just like all of Disney's straight-to-video releases, "Mulan II" suffers from a lower budget and quicker production turn-around. For the most part, the animation captures the characters and their visual appearances rather well. However, the coloring is duller than the original and the animation isn't as smooth. It's obvious this was added to the release as a sort of bonus feature.
The audio and video transfer for the original "Mulan" is spectacular. The picture is clean and the colors make everything jump out at you off the screen. The 5.1 surround sound mix will submerge the home theater audience into the world of ancient China complete with galloping horses, audible dialogue, and a lush musical score.
Consumers will be happy with the special features contained in this 3-Disc collection. Bonus material for "Mulan" includes audio commentary by Producer Pam Coats and directors Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook. There are also 11 deleted scenes, Classic Backstage Disney featurettes, music videos, and other Classic Music & More material. Bonus content for "Mulan II" includes a featurette entitled "Voices of 'Mulan'," deleted scenes and a music video for "I Wanna Be Like Other Girls" by Atomic Kitten.
This two movie collection cast the spotlight back on a Disney Princess that gets overlooked by many. It not only serves as an entertaining animated movie for people to enjoy, but a lesson on the history and culture of China. It's an opportunity to get educated and have fun at the same time.
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