5.9 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A young Chinese maiden disguises herself as a warrior in order to save her father. A live-action feature film based on Disney's 'Mulan'.
Starring: Liu Yifei, Yoson An, Gong Li, Donnie Yen, Jason Scott LeeAdventure | 100% |
Family | 86% |
Action | 44% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)
French (Canada): Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English SDH, French, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
Digital copy
DVD copy
Region free
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 5.0 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Disney's latest live action update of one of its cherished classic animated titles is Mulan, Director Niki Caro's (Whale Rider , The Zookeeper's Wife) mostly faithful translation that does away with much of the animated film's music and humor without sacrificing narrative structure and various other plot specifics. While the movie is a bit on the rote and generic side of the ledger, it's quite the physical specimen otherwise, a picture of electric choreography, exceedingly fine photography, abundant color, and rich world detail. It's a fun watch though not a deep watch, a quality technical outing with just enough narrative draw and purposeful characterization to make it a worthwhile cinematic venture.
Mulan's 1080p transfer dazzles and never drops in quality. The Blu-ray is a pleasure. It's abundantly colorful with rich, impressively saturated colors appearing from the outset, including natural greenery and a barrage of popping reds, blues, and yellows standing out against the earthy wooden tones seen around the circular village. Colors remain the stalwart throughout, with armor delightful shades of silver and red and the world details springing to life with vitality rarely found on Blu-ray. This is one of the most colorful films of recent times and there's no mistaking the tonal health and depth on the Blu-ray. Not to be outdone is detailing and clarity, both of which reach the Blu-ray stratosphere. There are some incredible textures in play. Commander Tung's armor, for example, offers resplendent texturing and clarity, boasting tactile depth and commanding intimacy. Facial features of course rise to the top, too, whether clean faces or Mulan's after days without showering, showing plenty of caked-on dirt and debris. Environmental details are complex even at distance and sharpness holds across the board. Light noise is apparent in lower light scenes (Mulan and her sister and Mulan's mother and father in the three-minute mark) but such is inherent to the source and not at all bothersome. This is a first-class Blu-ray treat from Disney.
As is the norm with Disney tracks, Mulan's DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack is a little volume challenged at reference levels, though not so much so that it absolutely demands a major volume increase like some previous efforts. The main issue again remains low end response, which is severely lacking. In the first major battle sequence in the film in chapter 12 – a pursuit on horseback with whooshing arrows traversing the stage – there's nowhere near as much subwoofer output as one might expect to find as the horses race across open terrain. What should be a thunderous effect doesn't register much at all at the bottom. In the same scene, the track offers plenty of surround detail and excellent special awareness as arrows zoom through the listening area. Immersion is never a problem here, and neither is sound balance and clarity. It's just that absentee bottom. And it's not limited to that scene. In the following chapter, an avalanche offers tepid low end response, not close to the punishing depth that would otherwise rightly accompany the effect. It's a shame because these moments would seem to be ripe for refence demonstration. As it is, though, listeners will have to settle for detail rather than depth, space rather than subwoofer output. Light ambient effects are perfectly integrated with wide and deep stage stretch. Dialogue is clear and well prioritized. It primarily emanates from the front-center channel but does stretch to yield spacious reverb towards film's end inside a cavernous hall.
Mulan's Blu-ray contains several featurettes, deleted scenes, and music videos. A DVD copy of the film and a Movies Anywhere digital copy
voucher are included with purchase. This release ships with a slipcover.
Mulan's live action adaptation feels superfluous beyond the surface. There's little here that's new beyond some nifty fight moves, slightly expanded character details, and superb production values. It's very familiar in story and layout but removes may of the humorous asides from the animated film, resulting in a leaner, more focused film. It's not necessarily better, but it's different enough to make for a fine companion to the original animated picture. Plus, it's a rather fun watch on its own. Disney's Blu-ray delivers outstanding 1080p picture, unmuscular but otherwise engaging audio, and a few supplements. Recommended, but there's a superior (though itself imperfect) UHD available.
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