Every animated Disney musical follows the same basic formula, and sometimes the formula makes for an ill fit. In Mulan, the show tunes and sidekicks are largely unnecessary, as this is a compelling, vividly designed (if admittedly Americanized) wuxia adventure on its own. Set in ancient China, the movie follows a young woman (voiced by Ming-Na Wen) who disguises herself as a man and stands in for her aging father when the Emperor calls for recruits to help defend against invading Huns. Aside from a charismatic lead character (who does stand nicely alongside more traditional Disney “princesses”), Mulan features sprawling landscapes and scintillating battle scenes—particularly a mountain skirmish complete with avalanche. The feminist themes may be oversold—and of the “girls can be as tough as boys” variety—but they’re still rousing in context and for the time. Eddie Murphy’s mini-dragon Mushu and Harvey Fierstein’s dancing soldier? Not so much. In the case of Mulan, more “Disney” amounts to less.
