A new spin on Mulan

DISNEY: MAGNIFICENTLY FILMED AGAINST BACKDROP OF ANCIENT CHINA

Great combination of light comedy and heavy drama.

Disney has injected vibrant new life into its reworking of the animated 1998 feature, Mulan, giving it a live, magical quality that has always been the hallmark of this celebrated studio.

This live version has no musical numbers nor a corny, wise-cracking dragon side-kick.

With a massive cast, and sturdy performances from its key players, Niki Caro’s rendering is an emotion-driven, action-packed exercise into Chinese culture and tradition and the unparalleled heroism of an enchanting female warrior named Hua Mulan.

Amazing set pieces abound as the film drives relentlessly toward its inevitable conclusion, where a sterling message about honour and following your destiny emerge. Magnificently filmed against the backdrop of ancient China, awash with brilliant colours and shapes, and of course costumes, this spectacular story concerns the trials and tribulations of Hua Mulan (Yifei Liu), the spirited eldest daughter of an honoured warrior. When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Mulan disguises herself as a man and steps in to take the place of her ailing father.

The savage invaders are led by a ferocious Rouran warrior (Jason Scott Lee, complete with appropriate facial battle scars) and a wicked shape-shifting witch (Li

Gong), with the magical ability to change into a bird.

Mulan manages to fool everybody during a rigorous boot camp but, as we all know, her true identity will eventually be revealed. Until then, she shows her mettle with her fighting superiority.

There is a running gag about her smelling awful because she is unable to shower with her fellow trainees. This section of the narrative illuminates the extended rivalry between Mulan and the dashing Chen (Yoson An), who is regarded as the top fighter in the battalion.

Director Caro is not only adept at staging elaborate action sequences, but also light comedy and the heavier dramatic moments.

Well worth watching.

Disney has injected vibrant new life into its reworking of the animated 1998 feature.