Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Mulan Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 14, 2020

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.

From a young age Mulan (Yifei Liu) has demonstrated great dexterity and a willingness to be bold, take chances, and excel in physical challenges girls are not even expected, never mind permitted, to attempt. Her chi is strong, her father Hua Zhou (Tzi Ma) tells her, but chi is for warriors, not daughters. He implores her to “hide her gift away,” to “silence its voice,” and fall into line with tradition. He wants to protect her, not to harm her. He wants her to bring honor, not cultural shame, to her and her family name. When Mulan is told that she is to marry for the benefit of her family she begrudgingly agrees to the ceremony, surrendering to pressure and surrendering her dreams at the same time.

Meanwhile, an old enemy of the Chinese Emperor, Bori Khan (Jason Scott Lee) and the Rouran Warriors, are attacking Chinese interests near the Silk Road. A female warrior of immense power, Xianniang (Gong Li), assists in Khan’s efforts. In response, the emperor orders one man from every family to join the fight and protect the nation. Mulan’s father, a veteran of previous wars but now a frail and partially crippled elder, is the only male from his family and volunteers himself to fight. Seeking to protect her father and perhaps sensing her destiny’s call, Mulan dresses in her father’s armor, takes his sword, and secretly heads off in his place. She suddenly finds herself encamped with hundreds of young men preparing for battle under the teachings of Commander Tung (Donnie Yen). They cannot see through her deception. As she proves herself a worthy warrior, she struggles to keep her secret as her oaths demand truthfulness and as battle looms.

Anyone familiar with the animated film will immediately feel at home with this live action adaptation which closely follows the same story essentials. There are alterations, including dropping the Musical elements, the additions of a few new characters, and the removal of both much of the humor and some of the nonhuman characters, the latter of which were present largely to satisfy the former, anyway (for those wondering, Mushu remains, but in a drastically reduced role for screen time and purpose). Though it’s longer than its animated counterpart, it’s nevertheless a lean, focused film that uses its additional screen time for dual purpose, one to expand on its characters beyond the superficial and second to offer more expansive and complex battle sequences. Indeed, in sum the movie is superficially very well made. Fight choreography dazzles as Mulan and some of her opponents utilize slick move sets that ignite the screen, but they never feel gimmicky. Though some supernatural elements exist, the movie persists in primarily engaging in tangible battle construction, rarely pushing its characters so far out of the realm of possibility as to fall into Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon territory.

Mulan's superficial excellence is helped along by superior production design and quality performances from the lead cast. The movie's costumes, locations, and set pieces are works of art. Armor, period attire, set decorations, and the feeling for instant transportation into an ancient world are all at work from the first frame to the final. Even when the movie fails to expand on the narrative beyond the animated film in many meaningful ways, there's always that fallback into the stellar action scenes and scene-stealing support elements that make this one of the best looking movies of the year. The cast further solidifies the production. Yifei Liu delights as Mulan along her arc as she initially gives into her cultural pressures but takes matters into her own hands to protect her father and ultimately discover her destiny. She plays the drama and the action with equal depth and excitement, respectively, capably convincing the audience that she's a warrior regardless of what her culture says her gender cannot allow her to be. She plays very well with veteran actor Tzi Ma, portraying her father who sees in his daughter the potential to be a warrior but who, too, cannot allow himself to break free from tradition. Gong Li and Jason Scott Lee give shape and depth to the film's villains, the former particularly noteworthy for her work.

Mulan Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

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.

Mulan Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

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 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

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.

• Updating a Classic (1080p, 15:16): Cast and crew explore the original story's lore in China, the source animation, the various updates to the material, selecting the right actors for the parts, research and production design authenticity, Niki Caro's work as director, sets, shooting locations, costumes, racial and gender diversity on and off the screen, and more.
• Mulan By Another Name (1080p, 7:20): A closer look at Mulan: Yifei Liu's rehearsal and performance, physical training, costumes, and more.
• Being Bad (1080p, 6:40): Examining Böri Khan and Xianniang, including character qualities, acting, costumes, and the like.
• Reflections of Mulan (1080p, 3:54): Exploring the score and the absence of Musical elements.
• The Original Mulan (1080p, 2:24): Honoring the original animation and Ming-Na Wen's (the original voice of Mulan) involvement in the new film.
• Deleted Scenes (1080p, 7:15 total runtime): Included are Little Sister Sewing, Young to Old Mulan Sewing, Hawk and Mulan Meet in Forest, Mulan Underwater Rescued by Phoenix, Mulan Runs Over Rourans, and Chancellor Turns Back to Witch. With optional Niki Caro commentary.
• Music Videos (1080p): Included are two songs with multiple versions. First is "Refection" by Christina Aguilera as both a Concept Video (3:41) and a Lyric Video (3:41) as well as a version performed by Yifei Liu in Mandarin (3:44) and English (3:47). Second is "Loyal Brave True" performed by Christina Aguilera as a Concept Video in English (2:49) and Spanish (2:48) and a Lyric Video, also in English (2:50) and Spanish (2:50) variations.

Mulan Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

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.