This new adaptation can be regarded as a reinterpretation of the "Mulan" story advancing with the times. After many Disney animation classics have been adapted into live-action movies in recent years, they will make adjustments to the characters' demands and self-comprehension according to the changes of the times. Especially in today's Hollywood, where female characters are constantly being valued, the story of Mulan has also been reinterpreted. . The audience first needs to change their minds. It is easier to see the advantages of this film by watching it by the standard of an epic film. Otherwise, I do hear some people who have seen it and think it is not as interesting as the animated version.
I think the advantage is that
1. Mulan is more daring to face and accept her identity
"Loyalty, bravery, truth and filial piety" are the four traditional Chinese virtues that Mulan admires in this story. But her previous story actually started with a lie, which left her with this moral flaw. In this film, "truth", like several other virtues, has become her belief-religion, which is reflected in the part where her true identity is exposed in this film and the animation version has changed the most.
As a film that shapes female heroes, the primary target of this film is young girls, and the workers behind the scenes hope that this film can tell young girls that being the most authentic self is more important than anything else. This change can be described as the finishing touch of the live-action version, with the characteristics of the times and more awareness of feminism.
2. Discussion on the status of women
Mulan's story itself is a re-examination of women's place in society. Is it true that when a girl grows up, the only way out is to marry and start a family? Is this where all women belong? And Mulan never felt that her position was in this small village, although at first she still obeyed her parents out of filial piety. But after a series of adventures, one would see Mulan finally finding her place.
Another big difference from the animated version is the addition of the witch role played by Gong Li, which not only increases the role of female characters, but also further explores the unfair treatment of women at that time through this role. Gong Li's character shares a similar struggle to achieve self-worth as Mulan.
The handling of love relationships
After the creator behind the film became a woman, she looked at Mulan's experience more from a female perspective. Another typical change is the handling of Mulan's love story.
In the animated version, the love relationship between Hua Mulan and officer Li Chang was changed in this film. The director felt that it was not appropriate for Mulan to fall in love with his superior, so he added another Chinese/American actor An Youxin as a male soldier. I personally think this change is necessary. It's hard to imagine how embarrassing it would be if Donnie Yen and Liu Yifei had a romantic relationship in the film?
The love element is treated conservatively in the film, and I see pure ambiguousness. This plot also makes people realize more that Mulan is an assertive and determined girl who has other plans for her future, and is not easily moved by love. Personally, I think it is more appropriate to handle it.
Aside from these changes in character creation, the most easily seen change in this film is that it has changed from a mythology dominated by humor and music to a more serious and grand war epic. There are still many jokes in the part where Mulan dressed up as a woman-man in the military camp and got along with the male soldiers, and the paragraph about the matchmaker blind date in the animated version is also completely preserved. However, because of the lack of humorous characters such as Mushulong, and the length of the film is definitely longer than that of the cartoon, it will inevitably make people feel that the live-action version is a bit long and dull in comparison.
The fighting scene looks much crueler and more real than the animated version, especially the avalanche scene is definitely more spectacular and dangerous in the live-action movie. However, in order to meet the PG-13 classification, it can be seen that the presentation of war scenes is still quite restrained, and there can be no bloody scenes. It is difficult to be as cruel as ordinary war films. Most of the action scenes are hanging wire-like flying over the eaves and walls, a bit like watching a Hong Kong martial arts movie in the past. This may be enough for foreigners, but I'm curious if the Chinese audience is satisfied.
Choosing Liu Yifei is the most successful part of this film. Many people said that she is indeed very suitable after watching it. She is not only beautiful, but also performs very well, which is the most impressive part of this film. I personally like the part between father and daughter at the end of the film, and I was moved to tears both times. Although filial piety is a Chinese virtue, in the face of personal pursuits, my father's understanding and support are very touching.
Overall, I personally think it is still a successful adaptation. Indeed, this theme is not suitable for a musical comedy. This kind of treatment is the most suitable, and the creator's intentions can be seen from the costumes, sets, and shapes.
Ultimately, I'm more curious about what Chinese audiences think about the film. I hope to know whether you are watching the original English version or the Chinese dubbed version, and whether it is strange for ancient Chinese characters to speak English. Welcome to discuss after watching
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